One birthday party you want to be at
Honeycomb Hi-Fi is a birthday baby, as the three year anniversary of one of not just Dubai’s, but the region’s pioneering listening bars falls this month. Having introduced a niche of nightlife experienced by few in this part of the world, the cultural playground celebrates a tasteful symphony of musical talent, craftsmanship, well-informed Japanese mixology and a technicolour energy found sparingly.
The Story
A force of vinyl culture in Dubai and beyond founded in 2022, the space meets many at different intersections, with elevated izkaya dining, a memorable bar, high-fidelity sound and a sense of belonging – this is a community unlike any other, bonded by their love for the cool and the classic, and just some really great records.
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The intent, by all means, was to bring to life a legitimate record store. Today, along with that, the venue also boasts a high-fidelity sound system, warm and minimal interiors designed for quality acoustics, and an izakaya kitchen to keep the fuel running. Honeycomb is the first venue in the Middle East to feature a custom-built Ojas speaker system by Devon Turnbull.
In the true spirit of music and the many strains it holds, DJs and music curators serve on repeat, offering a moving audio feast. Guests can expect anything on the turntables, from electronic to jazz, to soul, to world music and film scores. The weekly sounds program is built with contributions from some of the best DJs and notable vinyl collectors in the region.
Why Vinyl?
The golden period of vinyl lasted from 1950s to the early 1980s a period characterized by the introduction of the 33⅓ RPM LP (long play) and the 45 RPM single – a revolutionary new format of that allowed artists to release longer, higher-quality productions and change the way the public consumes music forever. As is with any classical piece of technology, the vinyl faded under the weight of the CDs, and resurfaced, now more a collectible.
Providing deep, warm-sounded connections to the past, vinyls carry a strong sense of nostalgia, connecting the audiophile with a inimitable era of music. These artefacts of cultural history offer the tangible appeal of physical media in a digital world, and the romance of yesteryear.
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The Party
In celebration of all this, the bar is bringing out the big-boy balloons and throwing a bash worth being at over one whole weekend. Kicking off on Friday 17 October, the lineup features Semir Lajmi b2b Ken, Elo, Diamond Setter, and Shadi Megallaa b2b Omar Fayyad, delivering a full-spectrum journey through disco, house, and electronic sounds. Then on Saturday 18 October, residents Tarik Omar, b2b Jayesh and Somalie will set the mood for an unforgettable night, leading up to international heavyweight Captain Planet, who will close the weekend with his signature grooves.
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Image credit: Supplied and @honeycombhifi on Instagram
Deeply passionate about food, culture and community, Manaal loves telling extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Besides sniffing out a tale to tell, her favourite things to do include binging true crime documentaries, chasing cats on the streets and curating a good outfit.
