Dubai, one of the most sensational cities in the world, is known for being a hub of high-end entertainment. From offering exquisite views of its gorgeous skyline to bringing the most dazzling nightlife to the elites of the world, Dubai is the favorite spot for luxury seekers. When describing Dubai’s nightlife, one might fall short of words. The glam, charm, and the elements of luxury are just indescribable. The highlight of Dubai’s nightlife is, indeed, the globally known nightclubs. Giorgio Armani’s Armani/Privé, the icon of classic luxury; Cavalli Club, the oldest yet the most popular nightclub in D-town redefining luxury; Base, offering the most amazing visual displays; and of course, WHITE Dubai, the liveliest rooftop nightclub.
While all these nightclubs have established a solid rapport among the elites and luxury lovers, WHITE Dubai seems to be always under the spotlight. When almost every nightclub was shutting down and losing business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, WHITE Dubai thrived. There is one name that takes the credit, Elie Saba. Serving as the brain behind for one of the hottest nightlife destinations in Dubai, Elie is a man who has proved time and time again that a unique mindset and a champion’s mindset can help one achieve what they desire. The smart approach Elie took during the pandemic to save WHITE is the perfect proof.
The question is, ‘what did Elie do to save the club while others were shutting down?’ He took a unique approach and changed the game. The once happening nightclub that was the hot spot for D.J. parties and light shows was turned into an exquisitely designed rooftop fine dining restaurant. As the nightlife scene was declining all across the world, Elie had to think and strategize fast before things would go out of hand. He gathered his team and discussed his plan. The team went into an ‘action’ mode and turned WHITE Dubai into Bazaar, a rooftop diner for the elites of the society.
Elie Saba’s story began on February 15, 1987, the day he was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He was brought up in a family with solid values. Even as a young boy, he was encouraged to make decisions and pushed to establish a stable life. After graduating from a local high school in Beirut, the young boy enrolled in the Sagesse University of Beirut to get a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He knew that to acquire financial stability and independence, he had to work hard. During his education, he was unaware of where his talent lied and what the future had in store for him.
Without wasting any time, soon after graduating, he took up a job as a bartender at ‘House of Salad.’ This was AddMind’s only Lebanon-based outlet. This job might not seem a very significant step in one’s career, but for Elie, it opened doors to amazing opportunities. It brought him close to his true calling. He worked tirelessly and gave his all to the job, which led him to the position of bar manager at AddMind’s WHITE Lebanon. This served as a turning point in his life as it helped him find his interest and true potential. As the bar manager, he worked closely with the entertainment team and realized the significance of these professionals in a bar or a club’s success. Slowly and gradually, his interest turned into a strong passion that pushed him to explore this industry. He decided to visit other middle east countries to have a sneak peek into how things went on about in festivals and clubs. The passionate young Elie attended a myriad of events and acquired experience, and even built his knowledge bank.
Considering Elie’s hard work in Lebanon and knowing how he traveled to other middle east countries to acquire experience, he was offered a job at WHITE Dubai in 2013. This was a life-changing opportunity for Elie, and he grabbed it the moment it was presented to him. He was confident of his capabilities and strengths, ready to take Dubai’s nightlife by storm.
It was under Elie’s ongoing tenure that WHITE Dubai’s 49th rank on DJ Mag’s Top 100 Club annual polls rose to 15th. Not only this but for three consecutive years, this club was named the best club in the city. Today Elie is the Managing Partner at AddMind and manages several of AddMind’s other venues, including WHITE Dubai, WHITE Beach, WHITE Abu Dhabi, Mezcaleria, Bar du Port, Iris, Bazaar, Clap, Sucre, Raspoutine, Babylon, Cirque le Soir. Elie Saba is convincing the world that with a champion’s mindset and a will to embrace innovation, success is very much achievable!
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