Skyline views
High-floor windows look across the marina, sea and Bluewaters Island.
ABOVE 21 | Upscale whisky and cigar lounge | FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah
Above 21 is an upscale whisky and cigar lounge at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, with a calm, intimate setting and skyline views. Visitors come for cigars and whisky, but the Japanese-inspired menu also gets attention, especially for sushi, duck leg and dynamite shrimps.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
138 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Cigar range
Reviews mention a broad cigar selection, including interesting options for experienced smokers.
Whisky choice
The lounge has a wide whisky range, including Scotch selections.
Japanese menu
Sushi and Asian dishes are recurring highlights, with duck leg and dynamite shrimps specifically recommended.
Quiet setting
The compact lounge is repeatedly described as calm and suitable for conversation, dates or business meetings.
Valet parking
One visitor specifically reported free valet parking at the hotel.
Tips for a Better Visit
Check charges. Ask about any minimum spend before ordering; one guest paid 200 AED for two soft drinks.
Confirm opening. Confirm service is running before setting out, since one guest was turned away shortly after the stated opening time.
Bring cigars. If you already have your preferred cigar, reviews say the lounge allows guests to bring their own.
Expect compact. Plan for a small, intimate space rather than a sprawling lounge; that compact layout is part of its appeal for some guests.
Plan the visit
Practical details
No 1 Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Popular Mentions
Japanese cheesecake
The Japanese cheesecake received enthusiastic praise, although another guest noted it was unavailable on a later visit.
Classic cocktails
Classic cocktails are mentioned alongside the lounge's whisky and cigar offering.
Whiskey
Guests mention a broad whisky selection, including bottles from Scotland.
Common Concerns
Minimum charge
A guest was charged 200 AED for two soft drinks and said the minimum-charge policy was not explained upfront.
Opening confusion
One visitor arrived after the stated opening time but was told the lounge was not open and would not be served.
Shared lighter
An older review found only one jet lighter being shared between all tables.
Music mismatch
One guest wanted jazz instead and felt the lounge music did not suit the setting.
Taste varies
A visitor liked the view but found the decor, atmosphere, food and cigar selection personally unconvincing.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
200 AED
two soft drinks
“To our shock, the waiter, "Maghreeb," charged us an outrageous 200 AED for two soft drinks! When I questioned the charge, I was informed it was due to a "minimum charge policy”Google review · November 2024
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Above 21 is a compact whisky and cigar lounge at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, valued mainly for its high-floor views over the marina, sea and nearby islands. You can settle in for a cigar and whisky, order Japanese-leaning food, or come for cocktails and a quiet conversation. The setting has drawn guests looking for a date, business meeting or unhurried evening rather than a loud night out.
Food reviews are more specific than the usual lounge praise. Sushi is repeatedly mentioned, while one first-time visitor recommended the duck leg and dynamite shrimps. Salmon, tuna tartar, classic cocktails and a Japanese cheesecake also appear in the feedback.
The cheesecake is a small point of caution: one guest missed it when it was unavailable, while another called it a highlight. The atmosphere is generally described as calm, stylish and intimate, though not everyone likes the decor or music. A guest asked for jazz, and an older review complained that one jet lighter had to be shared between tables.
There is also a serious pricing caveat: one visitor reported paying 200 AED for two sodas under a minimum-charge policy that was not explained upfront. Ask about current minimum spend before ordering, and confirm opening arrangements if visiting early. Free valet parking was reported by one guest.