When the Dubai sun is too much to handle, teens don’t have to hit pause on the fun. Vivaan Shenoy walks us through a curated list of the coolest, trendiest, and most air-conditioned spots where Gen Z can chill, vibe, and stay entertained this summer.
EL&N Café – DIFC / Mall of the Emirates
Known as the most Instagrammable café in Dubai, EL&N serves up pastel pink interiors, glitter coffees, and viral-worthy desserts. The vibes are soft girl meets glam – ideal for content and catchups.
Brass Monkey – Bluewaters Island
A Gen Z fave with old-school arcade games, bowling lanes, and a colorful diner. It’s fun, vibrant, and just edgy enough. Pro tip: hit it during the day when it’s more teen-friendly.
The Jam Jar – Alserkal Avenue
Get creative in this DIY painting studio where no experience is needed. Music, paint, and a chill vibe make it perfect for aesthetic content or a quiet recharge day with friends.
GLITCH – Al Ghurair Centre
A neon playground for the TikTok generation. GLITCH offers arcade games, ninja obstacle courses, VR zones, bowling, and even a roller glider – all under one roof. It’s high energy, high fun, and 100% indoors.
If you’re in your quiet luxury or soft life era, Drop Coffee is the place to be. Born and brewed right here in the UAE, this homegrown brand blends local pride with global coffee culture. With sleek interiors, minimalist vibes, and iced drinks that look as good as they taste, it’s perfect for journaling, soft launch selfies, or solo recharge days. The playlist’s always on point, and yes — the specialty coffee hits different.