A New Dubai Destination Brings the Pulse of Ibiza

FIVE LUXE in JBR houses the pool and beachside venue Playa Pacha, which has recently hosted the likes of Joseph Capriati, Marco Carola and more

Pulling into the driveway of FIVE LUXE in the posh Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) locality of Dubai, you can’t miss the gigantic reflective cherry sculpture that sits just beyond the lobby. It signifies all the glamor that Dubai nightlife is known for, an added international brand for effect.

In December last year, Dubai-based hospitality and real estate company FIVE Holdings acquired the Pacha Group, including the legendary Ibiza club, called Pacha Ibiza. Keeping up with a legacy of parties that have been the talk of the town (and globe) for 50 years comes with its expectations and FIVE LUXE delivers on that front, offering something larger than life in a way at Playa Pacha, the private beach club it’s opened along with the property in early 2024.

The hospitality is next level – from the pool being the go-to chill zone for guests and their dining experiences at the various and the people are very much seeking the club euphoria of Pacha here in Dubai. Although a part of FIVE LUXE is still under construction – a residential tower called SENSORIA is for anyone who wants to be part of this party central – a massive LED screen about 10 floors in height is an unmissable addition to the vibe, morphing in and out of different eye-catching, trippy visuals to tell us the party’s either on or incoming.

Yet, it feels like clearly whatever plans they have of meeting the legendary Pacha standards are yet to be seen in their final form. Plans are on to create a space for the iconic dinner show (and Pacha Ibiza’s sister venue) Lío Ibiza, on a small island in the Persian Gulf, what a press from FIVE describes as a nod to “the very ‘Pearl of Dubai.’”

The music curation at FIVE LUXE’s Playa Pacha is part of their FIVE Music initiative, which has so far spawned outings like a recording studio housed within their Palm Jumeirah hotel and a music label. With the likes of GermanKeinemusik kicking it off in April this year, the venue’s Pacha Icons gig series has so far seen Italian DJ-producers Joseph Capriati and Marco Carola on separate visits, British artist East End Dubs and more.

As we noted with their FIVE MUSIC launch, it’s very difficult to stay relevant in the crowded, sensory-overload nightlife space in Dubai. But it feels like with brand power being leveraged with Playa Pacha, anyone seeking a night out on the town or those who feel at home on the dancefloor will get an experience that seems straight out of Ibiza here. On any regular night, DJs make sure the music keeps spinning all day, all night, even if the pool does shut. For Pacha Icons shows, a whole other area is earmarked to make sure party-goers can vibe by the beach.

In the day, the JBR view of the Arabian Gulf’s water really shines, as boats and water skis drift across, paragliders hovering high overhead. This is a massive space with plenty of room to do whatever fits your understanding of the FIVE motto, come play.

Other than the music at Playa Pacha, there’s plenty more to keep you engaged when perhaps a Pacha Icons party isn’t popping off.

Up at Paradiso Dubai, there are magicians, carnivalesque proceedings and perfectly hypnotic music with a balcony view of the gulf. Inspired by “magical surrealism,” you’ll like mirrors and LEDs on the ceiling, horses straight out of carousel rides, eerie, Alice In Wonderland-esque rabbits and more. While you’re there, don’t forget to try all their alluring cocktails (or mocktails, if that’s your thing), ones which are bursting with personality that it would seem an understatement to call quirky – they’re just surreal. Like the Roots mocktail, served on a platter with a pot placed on a branch, with the glass underneath.

On the same floor – which has a huge collection of trumpets on the ceiling for art – there are two other swanky offerings. Tête à Tête is a bistro with more European flair, specifically focusing on southern France and there’s Ronin, focusing on precisive and delightful Japanese cuisine with a Teppanyaki and Sushi bar, plus you get welcomed with a traditional beat of the gong at the entrance.

Lastly, on the ground floor of FIVE LUXE is Goose Island Tap House, which gives off a sporty vibe that’s perhaps more suited to day and early evening activities, although there’s no bad time to be in there if you’re a sports fan. There’s an F1 Simulator, and pinball machines that are themed around the Foo Fighters, Godzilla and Dr. No. If you need a break from the EDM, Goose Island Tap House mostly focuses on rock music in their playlists and even has darts. We counted up to nine screens in every direction we looked, meaning you’ll never miss a second of any football match likely to be screening there.