With such a large expat community in the UAE and a local population increasingly coming to terms with cricket, thousands of eyes will be trained on this year’s IPL.

And what better way to take in the drama than with good company, food and drink?

If you think we have missed anywhere off the list or you own a bar that you’d like to feature please get in touch via #360fans, commenting below or emailing editorial@sport360.com.

For those wanting to watch the IPL in the capital, our Abu Dhabi guide can be found HERE.

KICKERS SPORTS BAR

Where: Dubai Sports City
Promotions: 33% off bill between 3pm-7pm on Sunday-Thursday
Contact details: 04 453 5200
Social media: Facebook

Dubai Sports City is a fitting venue to watch the most glamorous T20 tournament in franchise cricket unfold. Kickers is showing all matches live on its 15 televisions and they urge you to try the ‘Sweet Potato Fries’ and ‘Fatty – The Survivor’. A prime location for anyone that fancies a net session at ICC Academy afterwards.

VELOCITY

Where: JW Marriot Marquis, Sheikh Zayed Rd.
Contact details: 044140000
Social media: Facebook / Twitter

Velocity describes itself as “not a traditional sports bar, it’s an entertainment destination bar and lounge. Sports, live music and great service are the key pillars of Velocity, making it versatile, dynamic and entertaining!” Following on from the ICC World T20, Velocity will also be showing the IPL and its food menu is full of dishes aimed at customers sharing with friends. This includes quesadillas, nachos, and buffalo wings. They have beverage deals to go along with their snack menu.

NEZESAUSSI

Where: Lobby level of Manzil Downtown Dubai on Emaar Boulevard
Promotions: Deals on buckets of beverages and a free main course when you spend AED 50 on a Tuesday!
Contact details: 044285888
Social media: Facebook / Twitter

Nezesaussi is fully catered to host guests wanting to watch sport with 19 televisions located around the bar and even some screens in the washrooms so you won’t miss a glimpse of the action. Flags, jerseys, boots, balls, tro­phies and other memorabilia are scattered around the interior, giving Nezesaus­si a sporty feel, while the open cooking station claims to “add a dash of modern style”.

BIDI BONDI, PALM JUMEIRAH

Where: The Palm Shoreline
Promotions: Four beverages and a main course for AED 140
Contact details: 04 427 0515
Social media: Facebook

An Australian sports bar located on Palm Jumeirah, Bidi Bondi has an outdoor area and several flat screen TV’s with projectors in a bid to “allow for a more cinematic view of the games.” They recommend the nachos, chicken wings and ribs on the menu and you generally get a pretty lively crowd in attendance for the big games. Just expect to be sidelined if any form of Aussie sport is playing.

MELIA HOTEL
Where: Kuwait Street, Bur Dubai
Promotions: Deals on buckets of beverages.
Contact details: 04 386 8111
Social media: Facebook

The Melia Hotel in Bur Dubai tends to draw big crowds due to the large expat community from the sub-continent that reside in this part of town. Food and beverages are available all day and house beverages are on offer from midday daily. Expect this to be one of the more raucous atmospheres as fans show their allegiances for the respective IPL franchises and Indian stars.

THE HUDDLE SPORTS BAR

Where: City Max Hotel, Bur Dubai
Promotions: Deals on buckets of beverages
Contact details: 044409300
Social media: Facebook

Situated in Bur Dubai’s Citybox hotel, Huddles describes itself as “a pleasant sports bar with a big screen for sports enthusiasts.” They also say “chicken wings are a must, with different portion sizes available depending on your appetite.” For those taking in the evening games the house band provide a musical backdrop.