Cafe del Mar says Dubai launch not authorised

Iconic Ibiza music label Cafe del Mar has distanced itself from the opening of a branded chill-out lounge in Dubai.

Just a day prior to the launch party at Meydan Beach, Dubai Marina, Cafe Del Mar said on its official Facebook account that the Dubai venture had not been authorised.

"We would like to inform that Cafe del Mar Ibiza has nothing to do with the Cafe del Mar Dubai. It is misleadingly advertised that Ibiza superbrand Cafe del Mar is arriving to Dubai," it said in a statement.

"It is also falsely advertised that Bruce Hill, who is playing at the opening, is a resident DJ of Cafe del Mar Ibiza. Bruce Hill has nothing to do with Café del Mar Ibiza, we have never heard of him."

It added: "Cafe del Mar of Ibiza never authorised nor supported such operations. A Dubai based company called Utopia, defining itself 'master franchisor for Cafe del Mar in Asia', claims to have given the authorisation to Meydan, but no valid agreement exists between the Cafe del Mar organisation and Utopia."

"We want to inform that these actions are out of any kind of control, supervision and musical direction of Cafe del Mar Ibiza and they have never been sanctioned by Cafe del Mar Ibiza," the statement said.

In response, Meydan Group said on Twitter that the opening at Meydan Beach was through its entertainment partner Viva Entertainment which was contracted with the UAE registered owner of the Café Del Mar brand.

"We very much look forward to the official opening on December 14 and 15,” a statement said.

Earlier this month, Meydan Group said the world renowned establishment - recognised across the globe for its signature Balearic house music and laid-back atmosphere - was launching in Dubai.

The iconic brand originated in Ibiza in 1980 with the simple idea of putting chilled out music to stunning sunsets.

Yanal Abaza, Meydan's head of business development, sport & leisure said at the time: "We are very excited to welcome the iconic Café del Mar brand to the Middle East at Meydan Beach. The brand is a natural fit for both our location and the target clientele for our Chillout Lounge which is one of the most glamorous beach-side locations in the Middle East."

Cafe Del Mar at Meydan Beach will be open every evening from 4pm until 1am, with a schedule of events to be announced soon.

The Cafe del Mar is best known around the world for its chill-out music compilations. Demand for this sunset music pushed Café del Mar into creating the Cafe del Mar music label.