Room 44 is where
rhythm meets ritual.

Why I Created Room 44

By Ade Barek, Founder

Room 44 was never meant to be just another bar. It was built as a modern echo of spaces that once mattered deeply to culture, power and community.

The story begins in Harlem, New York. In the era of the Harlem Alley lounges, these were not simply places to drink. They were sanctuaries for Black excellence, creativity and ambition. Entrepreneurs, musicians, thinkers and leaders gathered in intimate rooms hidden from the noise outside. During the Frank Lucas era, these lounges represented more than nightlife. They were about ownership, discretion, confidence and presence. You entered knowing you belonged, or you did not enter at all.

At the same time, across another world, the Prohibition era speakeasies of Al Capone’s Chicago operated on a similar code. Hidden rooms, word of mouth access, loyalty and ritual. These spaces thrived because they offered something scarce. Privacy. Control. Atmosphere. They were designed for people who moved differently and valued experience over excess.

Room 44 brings those worlds together and translates them for Dubai today.

Set inside JW Marriott Marina, Room 44 is designed as a third space. Not a nightclub and not a casual lounge. It is a room for people who appreciate intention. The lighting is low because conversation matters. The music is curated because energy shapes behavior. The menu is focused because confidence does not need clutter. Every element exists to support a certain frequency of guest.

Room 44 is for professionals, creatives and tastemakers who understand that the most powerful rooms are not loud. They are composed. It is a place to arrive with purpose, stay for connection and leave feeling part of something shared.

Everything we do ties back to that vision. From design to programming, from menu to social presence, Room 44 is built as a modern speakeasy rooted in history, respect and culture. A room that remembers where it came from while knowing exactly where it stands today.