The verdict on La Mer Beach
- Who it suitsVisitors who want an upscale, serviced beach club and dining day on Jumeirah sand rather than a free public beach.
- Best spotThe J1 Beach promenade, where the new clubs and restaurants line the shore with direct sand access and service.
- One thing to knowThe casual, free spirited La Mer many remember has been rebuilt as J1 Beach, a venue led district, so plan and budget for a club day and confirm details with the venue.
Published 20 March 2026. Last reviewed 13 April 2026
La Mer is in the middle of a reinvention, and it is only honest to lead with that. The colourful, casual public beachfront that many visitors remember on the Jumeirah 1 shore has been redeveloped, and its southern stretch has reopened as J1 Beach, an upscale waterfront of beach clubs and restaurants spread along roughly half a kilometre of sand. If your memory of La Mer is street art, food shacks and a free easy beach, the place you arrive at now is a different and more expensive proposition.
What has landed is a genuine dining and beach club destination. J1 Beach has rolled out a lineup of high end venues with direct sand access, among them names such as Gigi Rigolatto, Baoli, Sirene Beach by Gaia and Gitano, alongside other restaurants and clubs, with valet, shaded walkways and even arrival by sea. For a polished day of sunbeds, food and a swim with service, it is one of the more striking new stretches on the Dubai coast.
The honest read is that this is a venue led beach rather than a free public one, and parts of it were still opening through the period after launch, so the exact mix of clubs, public access and minimum spends is best checked close to your visit. Expect to commit to a club and a minimum spend for the prime sand, expect prices to match the setting, and treat any specific opening status, menu or rate as to be confirmed with the venue rather than assumed.
Who it suits best: visitors who want an upscale, serviced beach club day on Jumeirah sand and are happy to pay for it. If what you are really after is a free, casual public beach, the redeveloped La Mer is no longer that beach, and Kite Beach or Jumeirah Open Beach a short drive away will give you the easy, no minimum spend day that the old La Mer once did.
Clubs on the J1 Beach front
La Mer has reopened as J1 Beach, a stretch of beach clubs and restaurants rather than a single public beach. Named venues include Gigi Rigolatto, Baoli, Sirene Beach by Gaia and Gitano, with more still opening. For current minimum spend and status, use the Dubai beach clubs directory.
Photo: Gigi Rigolatto Dubai via GoogleBeach clubs at J1 Beach
The redeveloped front lines the sand with high end clubs and restaurants such as Gigi Rigolatto and Baoli, with direct beach access and a minimum spend.
Public sand access
Some public access to the sand remains in parts of the redeveloped front, with the prime stretches held by the clubs. Exact access is to be confirmed.
J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1
La Mer and the J1 Beach front sit on the Jumeirah 1 shore, around ten to fifteen minutes by car from Downtown Dubai in light traffic. A taxi or car is the simplest arrival, with valet at the venues and public parking nearby.
Because the front is venue led, the easiest plan is to choose a club, check its current minimum spend and opening status, and arrive through valet. Public sand access remains in parts, but the prime stretches sit with the clubs.
Reserve a daybed at J1 Beach
Send your details and we will help arrange a beach club booking at the J1 Beach front on the former La Mer. We confirm current minimum spend, opening status and availability with the venue before you commit. Nothing is charged here.
La Mer Beach FAQ
Is La Mer beach still open in Dubai?
The original casual La Mer beachfront has been redeveloped. Its southern stretch has reopened as J1 Beach, an upscale district of beach clubs and restaurants, with some venues still opening, so check the current status close to your visit.
What is J1 Beach in Dubai?
J1 Beach is the redevelopment of the southern La Mer seafront into a high end waterfront of beach clubs and dining along roughly half a kilometre of Jumeirah sand, with names such as Gigi Rigolatto, Baoli, Sirene Beach by Gaia and Gitano.
Is La Mer beach free now?
It is now mostly venue led rather than a free public beach. Some public sand access remains in parts, but the prime stretches sit with the beach clubs, which charge a minimum spend that is to be confirmed with each one.
Is there a free public beach near La Mer?
Yes. For a free, casual public beach a short drive away, Kite Beach and Jumeirah Open Beach both offer easy access with no minimum spend, which is closer to what the old La Mer once provided.
Do you need to book a club at J1 Beach?
For the prime sand and service you generally choose a club and meet its minimum spend, so booking ahead is wise at busy times. Rates, menus and opening status are set by each venue and are to be confirmed.