In the industrial area Dubai’s Al Quoz district, is Alserkal Avenue a vibrant and trendy hub for contemporary art, culture, design, and innovation. Known as the art district of Dubai, Alserkal Avenue is a fascinating destination for individuals interested in art and creative projects.
Curious about what you can find in Alserkal Avenue? In this article, we’ll tell you all about this creative hub in the heart of Dubai, including tips for the best cafes and restaurants in the area and useful information about must-visit locations.
Art district of Dubai
Alserkal Avenue was formerly an industrial area in downtown Dubai but has evolved in recent years into a popular destination for art, fashion, and culture enthusiasts, considered the breeding ground for Dubai’s urban art scene.
What once began as a small block of warehouses housing 20 art galleries has transformed over the years into over 40 warehouses spanning a total area of 46,000 square meters, hosting numerous galleries, boutiques, dance studios, and artisanal cafes. As such, Alserkal Avenue has become one of the leading art centers in the Middle East and the go-to place for art, fashion, music, cultural events, and dining enthusiasts.
The transformation of Alserkal Avenue began in 2007 when the Alserkal family decided to open a portion of their industrial properties to art and culture initiatives. Since then, the area has experienced significant growth, becoming a key hotspot for Dubai’s and the Middle East’s art scene. If you’re a fan of trendy spots and art, a visit to Alserkal Avenue should definitely be on your must-visit list.
Art galleries in Alserkal Avenue
Even if you’re not a fan of art, it’s worth visiting the galleries in Alserkal Avenue. The art district is led by Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate winner Rem Koolhaas and is home to some renowned art galleries such as Carbon 12, Leila Heller Gallery, and Gulf Photo Plus. More than 70 creative concepts can be found in Alserkal Avenue, including permanent exhibitions like Concrete, a versatile exhibition and event space. It’s also the first building in the United Arab Emirates designed by the world-renowned Dutch architectural firm OMA.
Gulf Photo Plus
Gulf Photo Plus is Dubai’s center for all forms of photography, inspiring and providing knowledge to the local and international photography. It is a community through photography workshops, free artist talks, and the region’s longest-running international photography event, GPP Photo Week.
Ayyam Gallery
Ayyam Gallery was one of the first to open a space in the epicenter of art and culture in Dubai. The gallery is renowned for supporting Syrian artists who have created works focusing on war and identity.
Green Art Gallery
Green Art Gallery is a platform for emerging artistic talent from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond.
Leila Heller Gallery
The first international gallery for modern art to open its doors in Alserkal Avenue was Leila Heller Gallery. This gallery mainly showcases modern art by artists from the Middle East and Asia.
Carbon 12
Carbon 12 gallery mainly exhibits work by high-profile graduate artists. Carbon 12 first opened its doors in 2008 and consistently promotes and introduces both established and emerging artists to the contemporary art scene of the UAE. It hosts six to eight exhibitions per year, so there’s plenty to see.
1X1 Gallery
1X1 Gallery was founded by highly influential Indian founder Malini Gulrajani and often collaborates with local and international galleries, art fairs, museums, independent curators, and art organizations. This allows you to see some of the best creations from around the world in the 700-square-meter gallery all year round.
The Third Line gallery
Other notable places in the art district of Alserkal Avenue include The Third Line gallery, which houses The Library where you can purchase books, limited edition prints, and other collectibles.
Trendy lifestyle stores and hip cafes
In addition to art, Alserkal Avenue is also a great destination for fashion. You can shop for trendy sneakers at thegoodlife or purchase minimalist clothing at the Scandinavian designer boutique Ikonhouse. At The Edit concept store, you can find sustainable fashion, beauty, and design items. Contemporary clothing is available at the BLSSD fashion label. If you’re searching for bold furniture pieces, look no further than The Odd Piece, where they restore and sell objects from souks and antique districts to their former glory.
The district also boasts many trendy pop-up cafes and restaurants. A4 Space is a permanent cafe that also offers creative workspace for visitors. For the most delicious cocoa creations, visit Ganache Chocolatier, a Dubai brand that makes handmade chocolates with the finest ingredients from France, Switzerland, and Belgium.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan and looking for a great vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Dubai, then Wild & The Moon is the place for you. Here, you’ll find delicious vegan and plant-based dishes, cold-pressed juices, and healthy breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon teas. At the hipster-inspired café Nightjar Coffee, you can enjoy delicious custom-made espressos, supergrain salads, and craft beers, and chai tea enthusiasts will love Project Chaiwalla, located in the Cinema Akil cinema. This cinema screens international and local documentaries and films daily. Theater enthusiasts can admire local actors on stage at The Junction.
Need a quick makeover? Pay a visit to the popular salon Chalk, where some of Dubai’s best stylists can be found. If you need to unwind or get moving, head to the modern yoga studio Shimis or the luxurious CRANK fit fitness studio.
Opening hours of Alserkal Avenue
Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but it’s possible that the art galleries, shops, cafes, and restaurants in the district may have different opening hours. If you want to make sure that the place you want to visit is open on the day and time you plan to visit Alserkal Avenue, you can check the opening hours for each location on Discover the Avenue.
Where is Alserkal Avenue in Dubai?
Alserkal Avenue is situated in the industrial area of Al Quoz in Dubai, near the main Sheikh Zayed Road highway, approximately 12 kilometers (about 20 minutes drive) from the Burj Khalifa and 8 kilometres (about 13 minutes drive) from the Mall of the Emirates. The Avenue has three entrances – on 17th Street, 6A Street, and First Al Khail Street in Al Quoz 1.
Getting to Alserkal Avenue by metro
Alserkal Avenue is easily accessible by public transportation in Dubai. The nearest metro station to Alserkal Avenue is the Onpassive Metro Station (formerly known as Al Safa Metro Station) on the red metro line of the Dubai metro. From the metro station, you can take a taxi for about 5-minute ride. Special buses also depart from the metro station that stop at Alserkal Avenue, or you can opt to walk. The walk from the metro station takes about 30 minutes.
Getting to Alserkal Avenue by bus
If you prefer to travel to Alserkal Avenue by Dubai bus, special RTA buses depart from the Al Safa bus terminal at Onpassive Metro Station. Bus number 110 departs every 12 minutes from the bus station. Buses on routes 10, 12, 15, 96, and 98A also stop at bus stops near Alserkal Avenue. From there, it’s a 7 to 10-minute walk to the art galleries of Alserkal Avenue.
Getting to Alserkal Avenue by car
If you’re traveling to Alserkal Avenue by car, from Sheikh Zayed Road, you can take the Al Manara exit (exit 43) to Al Quoz. Stay on Al Manara Street until the traffic light opposite Home Centre. Turn right here onto First Al Khail Street and then turn right onto 17th Street. Then, turn left onto 6A Street for a large parking area. Access to the Avenue is through the pedestrian entrance.
Parking within the Alserkal Avenue area is limited, but there are over 500 RTA parking spaces available around the area where you can park for a fee. You can use parking code 364C to pay for parking.
