Okay Dubai, lean out your windows and bring your best skyline selfie game — something shiny is arriving at eye level. Gates Hospitality is flipping the 43rd floor of Media One Hotel into Forty3, a single high-rise destination that’s equal parts dinner, late-night dancefloor and people-watching HQ. Think of it as three best friends sharing a penthouse: each has their own vibe, but together they throw the party.
Dr. Naim Maadad, Gates Hospitality’s founder, nails the vibe: “With Forty3, we want to create more than just a collection of venues. This will be a destination where people come together to socialise, collaborate and celebrate, all within one vibrant community hub.” Translation: it’s not just venues — it’s a social ecosystem.
Papafuku — South-East Asian with sass
First stop: Papafuku (yes, it literally means Father of Luck — adorable and slightly theatrical). It’s a modern, cheeky twist on South-East Asian dining built to keep the energy rolling from lunchtime ramen to midnight tempura. Expect dishes that steal the show — sizzling Wagyu gyoza, Bubble Rock Shrimp Tempura (try saying that with a mouthful of wasabi), Chilli Mud Crab that brings the heat, and Miso-glazed Black Cod that whispers “treat yourself.”
There’s sushi, there’s ramen, there’s Angus Beef Rendang — basically bold flavours designed for sharing, double-tapping and ordering one more round of whatever’s on fire. Papafuku’s tone is playful, the plates are shareable, and the nights? They’re not stopping at one round. Come hungry and leave with a story (and possibly a food coma).
Velvet Social — when the lights go low
When the sun dips, Velvet Social takes over. Picture plush lounge meets late-night momentum: creative cocktails, DJs who actually read the room, and live acts that light up the room like a good plot twist. Velvet blurs the line between bar and club — comfortable enough for cocktail conversations, electric enough to make “one drink” a mischievous suggestion.
If you date your nightlife, Velvet Social is the kind of fling that leaves you smiling at 4 a.m.
The Office — network, chill, repeat
Nope, not your Monday-morning cubicle. The Office is the antidote to dreary meetings: sleek, social and unapologetically uncorporate. It’s a place to spark ideas, catch up with friends, or stare out at the skyline until an idea forms. Its mantra? Connect. Chill. Repeat. Bring your laptop if you must, but expect to spend more time networking over a killer mocktail than on spreadsheets.
Why Forty3 matters
Together, Papafuku, Velvet Social and The Office make Forty3 more than three concepts stuck on one floor. It’s a full-service social stack: eat, laugh, linger, dance, meet, repeat. With views that make your camera do the heavy lifting, menus that reward sharing, and vibes that shift from sunset to sunrise, Forty3 is designed to be the floor everyone mentions first at brunch the next day.
Who’s it for? Foodies, night owls, content creators, networkers, that friend who’s always two minutes late but always has the best stories — basically anyone who likes their social life in HD.
A little treat to celebrate
To celebrate Papafuku’s launch, Gates Hospitality is rolling out a tasty deal: dine between 27 October and 7 November and get 43% off all food items — Monday to Thursday. Yes, you read that correctly. 43% off. Coincidence? Destiny? Probably a bit of both.
So, whether you crave a feisty chilli crab, a cocktail that arrives with its own backstory, or a chill corner with a killer view, Forty3 is stacking the deck in Dubai’s favour. Pack your appetite, your dancing shoes (or very comfortable sandals), and your best small-talk — the 43rd floor has RSVP’d for a good time.
Contact & Location:
Phone – 971508500940
