United Arab Emirates, the smoothies made with bananas, berries, and wheat grass came first. Then there is the cold brew, triple-shot, milk-based lattes, German-named artisan brews, and small-batch, barrel-aged Prohibition cocktails.
In Dubai, the Middle Eastern hub of all things cutting-edge, a brand-new bar serves up “gourmet water.” A desert metropolis, a new bar has opened serving about 30 different kinds of “gourmet water.” The Aqua Water Bar by Luquel improves tap water with various mineral mixtures and sells 500 milliliters (16 ounces) for around 50 cents. It is not a completely fresh idea.
The Aqua Water Bar by Luqel takes its water from a faucet, just how it used to be done. Although the government claims that tap water is safe to drink and meets with international standards, many inhabitants of Dubai choose bottled water.
The German water filtration company Luqel’s micro-dosing instrument is then used to infuse minerals. They cater to all types of water enthusiasts, whether Alpine or Arctic-sourced, by offering to match the mineralization of high-end water brands.
The managing director, Roia Jabari, says that “our water sommeliers have designed the drinks to suit your needs and mood.” “We can provide the ideal mineralized recipe for you.”
“Runners Heaven,” a high-sodium, high-potassium food, designed for runners who need to recover from the scorching desert heat. “Vegan’s Choice” offers nutrients that may be lacking in a diet that is strictly plant-based. Customers can fill any of the mineral combinations to fill their bottles for around 50 cents per 500 milliliters (16 fluid ounces) or pay extra for mocktails.
Water from remote mountains or natural springs has long been sold in bottles. To compete with Evian and Perrier, Coke and Pepsi got in the market years ago, blurring the lines between water and soda by adding sweets and fizz.
According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, a consulting firm, bottled water is the most preferred beverage in the United States, with average Americans drinking 46.5 gallons every year, compared to 36 gallons of soft drinks. But it is rare when you come across a pub that serves only water, instead of to giving it out for free to customers who drink too much alcohol.
In the city’s East Village, a water bar offering what it said to be heavily filtered New York City tap water opened in 2012. This move drew a barrage of criticism. In 2019, a different one appeared for a limited while to less than rave reviews. Both do not seem to have been open for very long.
However, Dubai, an ultra-modern metropolis built on desert sands, could be an ideal location for the trend to grow in popularity.
In the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms that includes Dubai, alcohol can be purchased in bars and clubs, but the Muslim nation has a large teetotaler population. It draws the rich, health-conscious individuals who support the wellness business since it is a center of international trade.
Despite being frequented by businessmen in suits who work in the nearby Dubai Media City, Jabari says that the water bar is not just for rich customers and that the water, which costs 2 dirhams or 54 U.S. cents per 500 milliliters (or around 16.9 fl oz), is not very costly.
Customers might either fill up their own water bottles or buy reusable bottles starting at about $2.50 to promote sustainability. Seeing people walking about with plastic bottles, according to Jabari, is one of the things that makes him feel like he is scraping on a chalkboard.
The bar has a Google rating of 4.6 stars based on around a dozen reviews, so the early response seems positive. Bilal Rizvi, who visited this week to give it a try, stated that “(the water) was actually different.” It is pretty good. The water with turmeric was blast.
The virgin mojito mocktail, according to Jabari, is also a very popular beverage. It has a hint of sweetness from the agave and honey, along with a twist of cucumber and lime.
The bar was created with a water motif by an interior designer from San Diego, California who has spent 24 years living in the UAE. The blue and white colors of the decor are illuminated by bubble-shaped lights. The pub also offers Persian food as a tribute to her heritage.
She hopes to expand the business, seeing room for growth in Dubai’s parched neighbors.
“Saudi Arabia is a huge market for us. I believe that Abu Dhabi is our next step.”
