Gitano started in the jungle outside Tulum in 2013. And in late 2024, Gitano Dubai opened at J1 Beach in Dubai, marking the brand’s fifth location worldwide. The Dubai version keeps the Tulum DNA intact. Lush greenery, wooden tables, pink neon lights, and a giant disco ball hanging over the pool. A Jungle Room that transforms from a daytime lounge into a proper party space after dark. The menu is modern Mexican with real technique behind it. Lobster tostadas, short rib birria tacos, churros with jalapeno chocolate and mezcal caramel. The cocktail programme leans heavily on mezcal and tequila, as it should.
What makes Gitano Dubai different from the other J1 Beach venues is the day-to-night transition. During the day, it is a relaxed bohemian beach club. By Friday evening, it becomes Gypsy Disco, the weekly dinner-and-dance night that has become one of the most talked-about parties on J1. Saturday runs a night brunch that rolls into an afterparty.
What You Will Pay at Gitano Dubai?
Gitano runs separate pricing for the pool and beach, and both shift between weekdays and weekends. The pool is 21+ only. The beach welcomes all ages.
Beach
| Option | Mon – Thu | Fri – Sun | Redeemable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Sunbed | AED 350 | AED 400 | Mon-Thu: fully. Fri-Sun: fully |
| Double Luxury Sunbed (up to 4 guests) | AED 750 | AED 1,000 | Fully on F&B |
| Beach Cabana | Monday to Friday: No minimum spend | Saturday – Sunday and Public Holidays: AED 1000 Rates apply for up to 4 guests Additional guest: AED 100 | Fully on F&B |
Pool (21+ only)
| Option | Mon – Thu | Fri – Sun | Redeemable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool Sunbed | AED 400 | AED 500 | Mon-Thu: fully. Fri-Sun: AED 400 redeemable |
A few things worth knowing:
- Online bookings are available until 1 PM daily. After that, walk-ins are accepted based on availability.
- Sunbed reservations are held for 15 minutes. If you are late, the bed is released.
- Under-21s are welcome on the beach but cannot access the pool.
- Dress code is casual chic. UAE national dress is not permitted for pool and beach access.
- All reservations are subject to a 24-hour cancellation policy. Late cancellations or no-shows result in the loss of the deposit.
WOW Emirates Pro Tip: The beach single sunbed at AED 350 on a weekday, fully redeemable, is the sweet spot. You will spend that on lunch and a couple of cocktails without trying. If you are a group of four, the double luxury sunbed at AED 750 on weekdays works out to under AED 190 per person, all of which goes toward food and drinks. That is hard to beat on J1 Beach.
The Menu: Modern Mexican With Real Technique
Founded by British-born James Gardner, Gitano’s food is not Tex-Mex or casual tacos. It is modern Mexican with global influences, built to pair with the mezcal-forward cocktail programme. Executive Chef and the kitchen team draw from traditional methods and bold, fresh ingredients.
What to order:
- Lobster Tostada – layered with avocado and pea mash. Rich, clean, and one of the most popular starters.
- Short Rib Birria Tacos – melt-in-your-mouth tender braised beef in a rich, spiced broth. The dish that converts people who think they do not like tacos.
- Guacamole with Corn Totopos – tableside preparation. Simple, fresh, and better than it has any right to be.
- Hamachi Tostada – fermented chiles and grilled avocado. The Japanese influence is sneaking into the Mexican framework.
- Watermelon Chamoy – sweet, sour, spicy. A Gitano crowd favourite that crosses into the shared plates section.
- Chicken Quesadillas – crispy, cheesy, satisfying. Not revolutionary, but done well.
- Churros with Jalapeno Chocolate and Mezcal Caramel – the dessert that everyone photographs. Sweet, spicy, smoky.
Drinks
The cocktail menu is built around mezcal, tequila and agave spirits. Signature creations change seasonally. Expect margarita variations, mezcal-spiked tropical drinks, and a solid wine and champagne list alongside. Cocktails start around AED 75-95.
WOW Emirates Pro Tip: Start with the guacamole and lobster tostada, share the short rib birria tacos for mains, and close with the churros. That is the Gitano starter pack. Budget AED 300-450 per person for a full meal with two cocktails.
The Weekly Calendar
Gitano’s weekly programming is one of the busiest on J1 Beach. Here is what runs regularly.
Las Gitanas (Ladies’ Day)
Five hours of sun, bottomless house white and rose, three signature cocktails, and a Gitano Taster Platter (watermelon chamoy, guacamole, calamari, chicken quesadillas). During the day, check the venue for the current time.
Thursday Ladies’ Night
Complimentary access with free wine and a select margarita menu at the bar. Live entertainment from La Rudche, DJ Audioblend mixing 90s and 00s into house. 8 PM to midnight.
Friday: Gypsy Disco
The flagship weekly event. Dinner and dance, where tradition and modern party energy collide. This is Gitano’s signature night. Expect a full restaurant service that transitions into a dance floor. The energy is high, the crowd is dressed up, and the music runs late.
Saturday: Ceremonial Night Brunch + Jungle Fever
A dual experience. The brunch runs 8-11 PM at the Jungle Bar Terrace (from AED 350). After 11 PM, the Jungle Fever dinner, dance and afterparty takes over on the terrace. This is the longest night of the week at Gitano.
Daily Happy Hour
Every day, 5-8 PM. Discounted cocktails, wine and beers.
Tuesday Brunch
11 AM to 4 PM, from AED 195 per person. The most affordable brunch option in the Gitano calendar.
Jungle Room, Pool Deck and Beach: The Spaces
- The Beach – White sand with single and double luxury sunbeds, cabanas with sea views. All ages welcome. DJs play from late morning. The most relaxed zone during the day.
- The Pool – 21+ only. Surrounded by tropical landscaping, with the giant disco ball overhead. Pool sunbeds line the edges. This is where the energy concentrates from mid-afternoon onward. The pool deck doubles as the main event space for Disco and Saturday brunch.
- Jungle Bar Terrace – The elevated terrace with rooftop-style views. Burj Khalifa is visible in the distance. This is where Saturday’s Ceremonial Night Brunch starts. Cocktail bar, lounge seating, DJ.
- The Jungle Room – The indoor-outdoor restaurant and party space. During the day, it is a dining room. After sunset, it transforms. Vintage beats, modern grooves, dancing between the tables. This is the heart of Gitano’s night energy.
- Rooftop Bar – Separate bar area with skyline views, including Burj Khalifa. Cocktails and shisha.
Reservations and Contact
- Phone: 04 243 3555
- Website: gitano.com/dubai
- SevenRooms: Book beach, pool and cabana
- Instagram: @gitanodubai
Book ahead for Friday (Gypsy Disco), Saturday (Night Brunch) and any weekend pool/beach. Weekday walk-ins are available after 1 PM, subject to availability.
Images: Wow-Emirates Archive
Also read: Best Beach Clubs in Dubai | Best Pool Day Passes in Dubai | J1 Beach Dubai
