Complaining about the price of a pint down the local? An Australian influencer's recent experience in Dubai might just put your own pub grumbles into stark perspective.
The Staggering Bar Tab That Went Viral
Expat social media personality Louise Starkey took to Instagram this week to voice her sheer disbelief at a bar bill she received while attending a concert by South African DJ Black Coffee. The influencer posted a video showing a bank statement revealing that two double vodka Red Bulls had cost her a staggering AED 380. This equates to approximately £80 or $154 Australian dollars.
"I can't get over the fact I paid 380 dirham for two drinks last night," a shocked Starkey said in the clip. Addressing the bartender directly, she recalled saying, "Are you for real? That's crazy." She was keen to clarify the modest nature of the order, stating, "It wasn't a cocktail. I didn't get eight of them either. I got two."
Price Comparisons and Bartender Sympathy
To underscore the venue's mark-up, Louise Starkey compared the cost to local off-licence prices, showing that a bottle of Skyy Vodka retails for around 40 dirhams and Absolut for 144 dirhams. She admitted she expected a premium at a high-profile event but was unprepared for the scale of it.
"Don't get me wrong, I know I was at Black Coffee last night. For real, I expect a mark-up but not that," she explained. Even the server appeared to acknowledge the steep price, with Starkey noting, "Our bartender knew. He looked at me and he was like: 'yeah,'" in what she described as a sheepish tone.
Social Media Reacts to Dubai's Cost of Going Out
The post prompted a flood of responses from followers, with many sharing their own tales of financial shock in the Emirates. One user wrote, "I bought 2 beers in Dubai and never went out again for my remaining time there. The recreational budget was gone." Another recounted paying 1,000 dirhams for five tequila shots, calling the city "scam central."
However, other commenters were quick to point out that such prices are standard for Dubai's upscale venues and events. "Yes this is normal – is not expensive," one claimed, while another summed up the sentiment with: "Tell me you've never paid for a drink in Dubai without telling me."
Louise Starkey concluded by revealing her shock was amplified because she rarely drinks and often receives complimentary beverages through promotional work. Her experience has nonetheless highlighted the eye-watering cost of living and leisure in one of the world's most opulent cities.
