Published: 27 January 2026
As one of Dubai’s most distinguished destinations, Four Seasons Resort Dubai is home to an array of upscale dining and beverage venues, each offering refined settings, exceptional cuisine and thoughtfully curated drinks menus. Among them stands Hendricks Bar – a sophisticated retreat inspired by the fictional world traveller Sir James Hendricks. With expert mixologists crafting each cocktail to perfection, the bar continues to be a cherished favourite among both residents and visitors. Read on to discover what makes it one of Dubai’s most elevated offerings.
A Sophisticated Ambience
Elegance resonates through every corner of Hendricks Bar, defined by its wood-panelled finishes and speakeasy-inspired décor. Leather armchairs and low-hanging lighting over the bar evoke the ambience of a British private club – the kind of setting where one might easily lose track of time over a fine cigar and a perfectly crafted cocktail. The space is further elevated by double-height ceilings and expansive windows discreetly framed by blackout curtains, creating an intimate yet refined atmosphere.
Guests can choose from an array of inviting seating options, including relaxed low tables and slightly more sociable high tables positioned throughout the space – ideal for an evening with friends or an intimate date night. Elegant marble-topped tables reinforce the sophisticated aesthetic, while the bar itself evokes a certain 1920s charm, complete with a backlit base and a mirrored backdrop framed by premium spirits. Soft carpeting, refined lamps around the bar area, and individual table lamps further enhance the ambience, creating a warm and personal atmosphere.
Distinguished Dining
While Hendricks Bar is foremost celebrated as a premier drinking destination, guests who failed to dine before arriving need not be concerned. The bar offers a carefully curated selection of snacks alongside a refined à la carte menu, providing the perfect accompaniment to a thoughtfully crafted cocktail.
Guests can nibble on edamame sprinkled with Maldon salt, indulge in barbecue chicken popcorn, or opt for crisp tempura prawns with homemade guacamole – a particular highlight of the Bar Snacks section of the menu. Seafood lovers will appreciate the calamari with chipotle mayonnaise, while cheese enthusiasts can choose between grilled halloumi with truffle honey or an artisanal cheese platter featuring seasonal imports. For something slightly heartier, the charcuterie selection showcases Italian cold cuts and 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, while the fries also benefit from a gourmet twist – with truffle Japanese mayonnaise delivering a suave finish.
The a la carte selection is no less impressive, offering an elegant take on a range of classics. The Tomato & Fig Salad is the setting for heirloom tomatoes, three types of Turkish figs, creamy goat's cheese and raspberry dressing to merge, resulting in a dish that is as refreshing as it is healthy. Seafood lovers are also taken care of in the form of the Alaskan Black Cod skewers, while the Black Angus beef sliders – layered with aged cheddar and truffle mayonnaise – deliver indulgence in every bite. Furthermore, the Japanese Chicken Sando is an elevated take on crispy Japanese katsu, complemented by soft brioche and crispy coleslaw.
Each dish has been carefully crafted for refined yet relaxed dining, ideal for socialising over drinks in a sophisticated setting.
A Masterclass in Mixology
The cocktail menu at Hendricks Bar is as bold as it is creative. Curated by Timothy Rosete, head mixologist and self-styled cocktail historian, these ambitious beverages have been curated from how Rosete imagines Sir James Hendricks' recipes might have looked, with a contemporary twist on old favourites.
The Golden Mirror – a fine concoction of house-blended spirits and vermouth – sets the tone. Inspired by Hendricks’ favourite Rodney Dangerfield joke, the Negroni combines five different vermouths into a house blend with Campari, resulting in a cocktail that is creamy, crystalline and insightful. And the joke? Well, as Dangerfield quips, "My doctor told me to watch my drinking. So now I drink in front of a mirror," which goes some way to explaining the name, and potentially the mirrors behind the bar.
Coco Mademoiselle is derived from Hendricks’ meeting with legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel. According to Rosete, the infatuated Hendricks quickly fell in love with the French icon, offering her a glass of champagne. As the story goes, she replied, "I only drink Champagne on two occasions. When I am in love and when I am not.’’ Hendricks then had to guess which Chanel had raised her glass, presumably only later dedicating the Coco Mademoiselle – a fancy creation consisting of cucumber, basil house gin, elderflower tonic, citrus, and of course, champagne – to his crush.
Another favourite on the Hendricks menu with a charming backstory is the Movement. The beverage was inspired by the fictional character’s meeting with the iconic Abraham Lincoln, with whom Hendricks was also well impressed. Inspired by the former American President’s proclivity for change, the cocktail is distinguished by using bourbon and rye infused with coffee pucks collected after each espresso is made at the bar. This unique coffee-infused rye is then mixed with port wine, chocolate liqueur, bitters and sweet vermouth to create a truly authentic taste.
While Rosete (nor Hendricks) has offered no backstory on the Baroness Churchill, we can probably assume that this silky balance of cognac, peach and raspberry, finished with frothy egg white, was inspired by the spouse of one of Britain’s most revered sons, Winston Churchill; his wife, Clementine, was known as Baroness Spencer-Churchill.
Hendricks Bar offers four further exquisite cocktails, including the spice-infused In Our Time and the Liquid Gold, both of which feature slick bourbons with tequila twists, while the Sunser Gun infuses mezcal with fragrant thyme and rosemary. For those looking for something a little more tropical, or who simply wish to indulge in a more holiday-like tipple, Just Mai Taipe delivers golden rum and coconut bliss.
Each cocktail is crafted with precision and personality – perfect for settling into an evening of sophisticated Hendricks ambience.
Hendricks Bar is the ideal destination for those seeking a refined social experience. Set within an exquisite space characterised by elegant décor, it offers outstanding bar snacks and an elevated à la carte selection. However, the true highlight is undoubtedly the cocktail menu – a captivating journey through the imagination of a fictional traveller, inspired by distant destinations and infused with rare, exotic ingredients; a must-try for any cocktail enthusiast.
*Hendricks Bar is open Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to 2 am, whereas on Friday and Saturday the bar is open until 3 am. Additionally, the bar hosts a singer every Friday from 9 pm to 11 pm.
