Many of the watering holes surrounding the Madinat afford a decent view of the Burj Al Arab, but this is one of the few where you are pretty much guaranteed to find a seat, indoors or out, from which you can see its garish light show without craning. The first floor bar’s name means ‘of the sea’ and it does what it says on the tin, with a wraparound terrace that’s perched above Al Qasr’s own stretch of water. Apart from Friday, when rowdy post-brunch punters (Al Qasr’s is one of the most popular in Dubai) flock to prop themselves up against the bar, this is an elegant yellow-and-cream, art deco-style spot, ideal for a sundowner cocktail and a sharing plate of mezze.