Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Farewell to the Lodge

Back in April, The Desert Weasel reported that The Lodge was closed.

It is my sad duty to report that, in August, his report has become operative.

I went by The Lodge today, and, as I approached the entrance, a security guard came up and informed me that The Lodge was closed. I had dined there earlier this month, and the staff said that, to their knowledge, the Lodge would remain open.

Of course, it was usually empty, except during the World Cup, and then most people were watching the game and not spending much money.

So the Weasel heard that it was for sale, and assumed it was already closed.

A couple of weeks ago, The Lodge was finally sold to a Brit. Meaning, the Brit paid to take over the lease. Or just took over the lease, getting the previous tenant off the hook for the payments.

The new tenant must have an agreement that rent will not start until the official opening. So, for now, The Lodge is closed.

I assume The Lodge is closed permanently, i.e., that the new tenant will give it a new name.

And I doubt that my favourite lunch will re-appear even after the Grand Re-Opening.

3 Comments:

Blogger Lou said...

The Lodge needs to be laid to rest once and for all. It will never ever be what it was. The magic has long gone and a fresh coat of paint and a new name will never bring it back. Whoever's taken it on must be mad!! Any ideas who it is??

12:41 am  
Blogger Dubai@Random said...

All the security guard said was that the buyer was a Brit. No further information.

What was The Lodge in the old days? For me, it was a very cheap, very nice lunch (there wasn't anything there at night: just a loud band but very few people).

8:21 pm  
Blogger Lou said...

For me, The Lodge was at its best in the early 90s. In the 80s and early 90s, it was pretty much the only expat drinking hole/nightclub. Pancho's and The George and Dragon were often the starting point for people on a night out, but everyone would end up at the Lodge around 11pm onwards. It used to be open until about 6am and full to the brim with friendly faces all having a good time. You could walk in on your own and always find someone you knew - Dubai was pretty small and undiscovered back then and everyone seemed to know each other! Nights were danced away and often finished off with a wicked 'Lodge Breakfast', which started around 4.30am onwards. This was served outside close to the swimming pool (yep, there is a swimming pool under the dancefloor outside!) Weekday nights were often busy normally listening/dancing to the sounds of a resident band, usually a rock band, and Thursday nights were often followed by the Friday Brunch and Kareoke afternoon with Pete Martin (after a quick sleep first of course!) Friday nights were usually as busy as a Thursday. Sunday and Tuesday nights were 'ladies night' if I remember correctly. Wednesday was probably the quietest night of the week. The place was a gold mine but must have felt the pinch once the Cyclone opened. Crowds then dispersed between the two but I always preferred the Lodge.

I've still got me original membership card and every now and again I pull it out and think about good times gone by!

Happy days!

12:34 pm  

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