Or so you would think. The place is one huge shit hole of a contradiction. Everytime I go there (business, not choice) I get absolutely shit faced and drink way more than I ever do back home. It's not just booze either, there is more brass knocking about the place than in Amsterdam! For a culture that frowns upon casual sex and alchohol they are doing a sterling effort at turning a blind eye in Dubai.
With regard to the OP, I guess it depends what part of town you are staying. JBR? Palm? Downtown? The Darkside?
When I was there last year, in the bar in the hotel I was staying at there was a gentleman in his robes that would stay there all day getting pissed and eventually the staff would wake him up and carry him out!
A big big tip for you, go the The Address, it's a hotel opposite the Burj Kalifa (there are 2 hotels very close by that are called the Address - it is the one direct opposite the Burj with only the fountain between them). There is a bar on the 63rd Floor, go there for sunset, it is £10 for a bottle of beer but very worthwhile. Awesome views, the sunset and an aerial view of the water fountain that runs every 30 minutes. You will not regret it.
Try the Irish Village in Garhoud, there is a fella who plays live every Friday night. His pretty good and the beer is not as expensive compared to most of the hotels out here.
My brother lives out there. Barasti bar is on the beach, really fun and often has some live music going on. Occasionally some big names playing on the beach there too