Creative cocktails
Indian-inspired cocktails are praised for balanced flavours, careful technique and striking presentation.
Flying Elephant
Al Barsha
Flying Elephant is an Al Barsha cocktail bar with a speakeasy-style entrance, Indian fusion food and theatrical drinks. Reviews highlight signature cocktails such as Elephant Bath, alongside dishes including butter chicken and lamb chops, in a stylish, low-lit setting.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
277 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Indian flavours
The menu gives classic and regional Indian dishes modern twists, with butter chicken repeatedly singled out.
Speakeasy entrance
A shelf or library-style door leads into a distinctive, tucked-away bar with Indian-inspired décor.
Strong hospitality
Reviewers describe attentive service, thoughtful recommendations and staff who explain the menu clearly.
Live music
Live performances, including Friday jazz, add an evening-event feel to the drinks and dinner experience.
Tips for a Better Visit
Come early. For easier conversation, arrive earlier: one reviewer found 6:30pm comfortable but 8:30pm onward too loud.
Try Fridays. Choose Friday if you want jazz with your cocktails; reviews specifically mention the Friday live music.
Use parking. If you are driving, the review notes basement parking at the hotel venue.
Check discounts. Ask whether an Entertainer offer applies; one diner used it for a discount.
Plan the visit
Practical details
457Q+2H4
Al Barsha First - Al Barsha, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
| Sun | 3:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
Popular Mentions
Elephant Bath
A refreshing, interactive cocktail that lets diners participate in making the drink.
Bar Rah Lamb Chops
Lamb chops praised for their medium-rare cooking, marination and accompanying gravy.
Apple Cinnamon Pie
A sweet, spiced cocktail compared with a warm hug in a glass.
Tangra Project
An Indian-twist cocktail that one reviewer listed among their favourite drinks.
Roti mein boti
A recommended Indian fusion dish highlighted for its distinctive flavour.
Common Concerns
Gets loud
The room can become too loud for conversation from around 8:30pm onward.
Dim tables
One reviewer wished each table had a lamp so the food and drinks were easier to see.
Costly drinks
Cocktails are described as expensive, even though that reviewer felt the craftsmanship justified trying them.
DXB
LOCAL
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The Bottom Line
Flying Elephant suits an evening built around cocktails, dinner and atmosphere rather than a quick drink. The speakeasy-style entrance opens into a dark, stylish room where Indian-inspired signatures are the main draw. Elephant Bath, Tangra Project and Apple Cinnamon Pie are among the named drinks reviewers enjoyed, with several comments praising their balance, creativity and presentation.
Food is a serious part of the visit. The menu takes Indian flavours in a modern direction: Dhungaar Butter Chicken is described as smoky and creamy, while Bar Rah Lamb Chops earned praise for their cooking and marination. Other reviews mention truffle mushroom galouti, prawns, duck curry and roti mein boti, so sharing several dishes makes sense if you want to explore beyond one main.
The mood changes through the evening. Earlier visits were quiet enough to unwind and talk, but one reviewer found the music too loud from about 8:30pm, so arrive early for conversation. Fridays are specifically recommended for jazz, while live performances and other events add energy later on.
Drinks can be expensive, although a reviewer considered the technique and presentation worthwhile. The bar is at Novotel Al Barsha, with basement parking noted in one review.