You can add Savant to your weekend plans

Inspired by the rare Savant syndrome, the speakeasy bar and lounge has officially launched at SO/Uptown Dubai.

There’s a new nightlife spot in town, and its backstory makes it instantly intriguing. Savant looked to the enigmatic Savant syndrome – a rare condition in which individuals exhibit exceptional abilities in areas such as mathematics, music, art and memory – for inspiration, resulting in a stylish new destination at SO/Uptown Dubai. The design-led hotel is one the city’s chicest new openings, and with it comes a host of new additions to the city’s drinking and dining scene.

Savant pays homage to the extraordinary abilities that come with its eponymous condition by way of a slick design, curated cocktails, and a creative menu of light bites. Offering views across the city and out to the ocean, this 66-seat lobby lounge and bar has a sophisticated vibe, transforming from an elevated casual day spot to a premium drinking experience by night. By day, it sparks inspiration by encouraging guests and nearby office workers to take a break or boost their creativity in its co-working space. And evenings are when the mystique of Savant truly sets in, with twinkling city views and DJ sets creating a hedonistic vibe.

The space itself centres around a giant polished copper bar, spilling out onto a floor of colourful seating areas, marble tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows. A total of 17 bar seats, meanwhile, allow guests to be close to the action. Here, highly trained mixologists serve cocktails named after skilled professionals and inspired by the complexities of Savant syndrome.

These include The Accountant (white rum, clarified pineapple cordial and coconut water), The Cartographer (a balanced blend of Plymouth Gin, red wine, fig syrup and lemon juice), and The Painter (a fragrant mix of lavender and blueberry-infused Pisco, lime sherbet, pear liqueur, peach bitters and aquafaba). Other drinks include a selection of five housemade Negronis, crafted mocktails, and an extensive selection of spirits and wines. Cocktails start from AED 55.

Guests can enjoy inventive bar snacks, too, and they offer creative twists on traditional flavour combinations — think: Veal Katsu Sando (breadcrumbed veal sandwich, homemade katsu sauce, and coleslaw dressed with eggless aioli), Truffle Croquette (creamy croquette, active charcoal tempura batter, and almond praline), Chips and Seaweed Dust (crackled Idaho potatoes and puffed tapioca pearls dusted with togarashi and seaweed dust tableside), and Crispy Calamari and Butternut (deep-fried butternut and calamari strings served with coconut curry dip). Already establishing itself as a sultry late-night haunt, Savant is open until 2am daily.

GO: Visit https://so-hotels.com for more information.