The team behind internationally renowned nightlife destination RASPOUTINE is expanding its presence in Dubai with the launch of SOLENA by RASPOUTINE, a Mediterranean restaurant set to open in DIFC at the end of October. Created by RASPOUTINE co-owners Logan Maggio and Alexander Ghislain in partnership with UAE hospitality group AlphaMind Group, the new concept offers a more relaxed take on the brand’s established approach to dining, music and atmosphere.
Where RASPOUTINE is known for its after-dark energy, SOLENA is designed around the hours leading up to the night, bringing together sunset drinks, Mediterranean cuisine and music in a setting that encourages guests to linger. The concept follows the transition from the working day into the evening, with dinner and drinks unfolding at an unhurried pace.
The menu draws inspiration from Maggio and Ghislain’s travels around the world, reflecting the dishes and flavours that have stayed with them long after visiting different destinations. The Mediterranean focus forms the culinary centrepiece of a venue intended to combine food with the social atmosphere associated with its sister brand.
“Raspoutine has always been about much more than nightlife – it is about atmosphere, people, music and creating a certain feeling. With SOLENA, we wanted to explore another side of that world: something more relaxed, beginning at sunset and evolving naturally through dinner and into the evening,” the founders said.
The venue’s expansive terrace looks out across DIFC and the surrounding skyline, offering views of the district while providing a setting for evening dining. Marble flooring, curved tables and a statement bar form part of the design, with high seating arranged around the central drinks area. As daylight fades, the space is intended to shift naturally from an early-evening drinks destination into a restaurant for dinner and socialising.
Music remains central to the experience, although the format differs from RASPOUTINE’s nightclub setting. A resident DJ will provide the soundtrack throughout the evening, bringing an element of the original brand’s musical identity to a more laid-back environment.
SOLENA by RASPOUTINE will operate from Tuesday to Saturday, opening daily from 5pm onwards. Its arrival marks a new direction for the group, extending the RASPOUTINE name beyond nightlife into an earlier, more leisurely part of the evening. Meanwhile, RASPOUTINE itself is set to operate exclusively as a nightclub, distinguishing the two concepts while retaining a shared emphasis on atmosphere, music and hospitality.
