New York might be the city that never sleeps but Soundbites: NYC’s Provocateur comes to Dubai

New York might be the city that never sleeps, but more and more, Dubai seems to be just as awake. The city’s night owls have become accustomed to new dance clubs popping up on every corner like property on a Monopoly board, each one advertising an international DJ here or a global rap star there.

The latest contender on the scene is New York’s very own Provocateur, a self-proclaimed hub for electronic dance music. Launched on December 18 at the Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach with an appearance by DJ Dixon, it aims to cater to the “world traveller” clientele.

“Dubai has the greatest hospitality potential of any market in the world right now, so we thought that this international hub was a good place to expand the Provocateur brand,” original Provocateur co-owner, Michael Satsky, told tabloid! in an email.

This time last year, tabloid! rounded up an entire spread of new venues looking to cash in on said hospitality potential. Satsky added that “there is a real opportunity to pioneer a proper nightlife concept in a region that desperately needs it.” With it, Provocateur brings “surreal European dollhouse imagery and top-of-the-line lighting” as well as a reputation for being a magnet for big names in the world of EDM.

In 2003, Satsky opened his first restaurant in NYC and went on to co-own three clubs with business partner Brian Gefter. The pair helped pioneer the nightclub pop-up concept at music festivals, creating a portable Provocateur experience with the likes of Calvin Harris, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia.

 The interior of Provocateur, a new nightclub import from New York at the Four Seasons Dubai.

So what can people expect from his club in Dubai? “The same calibre of music associated with the New York outpost. We have put together a proper electronic music programme that kicked off with Dixon and over the next month we have Cassy, Seth Troxler, and Pete Tong on the calendar,” he said.

The club’s flagship location features two separate venues, the Provocateur Cafe and the Provocateur Nightclub, however, the Dubai branch blends elements from both in a single 7,000-square foot (650.32 square metre) space.

Unlike many clubs in the city, Provocateur does not create a separate “VIP” experience. “[It] caters to all of its guests equally by providing access to the inaccessible,” said Satsky. The club’s interior is characterised by sprawling booths with mismatched patterns of the chic and floral variety.

Utilising a more archaic and cringeworthy selling-point, however, he added that the club has “a beautiful, all-female staff that connects with our peers.”

For those wondering if Provocateur is their cup of tea, the Dubai club — like its American counterpart — aims to bring together “the most creative individuals from the worlds of fashion, art, entertainment, real estate, music and business”.

*Provocateur Dubai is located at the Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach. For reservations, call 055-2118222 or 04-3438411.