Prices in Dubai are far from the lowest in the world; that's a fact. But there's one trick that locals (and expats) have been using for years, while tourists often ignore or misuse it. It's called The Entertainer. In short, it's your legal right to pay half price where everyone else charges full price.

The mechanics are ironclad: Buy One Get One Free. And this applies not only to cheap eateries but also to top-tier locations you were planning to go to anyway.

Where can you save your first $500?

The list of partners in the app reads like a guide to the best places in the emirate. Let's go through them point by point.

• Food and drinks. These are the basics. Restaurants, cafes, bars, and even high-end establishments. Come as a couple, order two main courses, and pay for one.
• Parks and drive-ins. The best for families. Wild Wadi or Aquaventure water parks, dolphinariums, and theme parks. Tickets are quite expensive, and saving on a second ticket immediately covers half the cost of the app.
• Beauty and relaxation. Spas, massages, and fitness centers. It often happens like this: you book one treatment, and the second one is a bonus. You can go with your spouse or save the second service for another time.
• Medicine and services. Yacht charters, gyms, and even dentistry.

Sometimes it seems strange to present a coupon at a posh restaurant. In fact, in Dubai, it's completely normal. Owners of establishments themselves fight to get listed in this directory because it guarantees them a flow of customers.

Technical details

It used to be heavy, thick books with tear-off coupons. Those days are gone. Now everything lives on your smartphone. Download the app, select the desired emirate (for example, Dubai), enter your PIN, and off you go.

There are a few rules to remember so you don't embarrass yourself in front of the waiter:

• Group limit. A group can use no more than four vouchers at a time. This means if there are eight of you, you can have four dishes for free.
• Warn in advance. It's best to mention upfront that you'll be using Entertainer. This avoids confusion when calculating the bill.
• Share with loved ones. If you have unused coupons, you can "send" them to friends directly through the app interface. It's convenient and humane.

What the ads won't tell you

The system has its own "red flags." The most important one is holidays. Coupons are not valid on public holidays, New Year's Eve, Christmas, and during Ramadan (in some cases). Establishments are already packed on these dates, so discounts are disabled.

One more thing: Always check the expiration date. Vouchers are usually valid for a calendar year. If a restaurant suddenly closes or changes its concept, your coupon becomes a pumpkin. The app doesn't always warn you promptly, so a quick check in Google Maps before heading out won't hurt.

Bottom Line

Let's do the math. The average weeklong trip for a family of three to four costs at least $2,000–$3,000 just for food and entertainment. Experts estimate that smart use of coupons saves around $1,000 per trip. The app pays for itself in just two trips to a water park or three dinners at a good place.

Dubai can suck your money out of you, but it also gives you the tools to save it. The Entertainer is a case where you play by the city's rules and win. Be prepared, download the software in advance, and don't hesitate to save where the system allows. After all, money saved is money earned.

• Checked / Updated: 05.16.2026
• Published on: 08.06.2015
• Author: Andrey Melnichuk