The click of cowboy boots on the marble floors of one of the most prestigious hotels Dubai maybe an unusual sound, but that is exactly what is attracting patrons to The Hide at the 5-star Jumeirah Al Qasr Hotel on Wednesday nights.
The restaurant’s new resident country duo, Down Home, gives guests a taste of Americana with country classics and southern-fried takes on pop favorites. One of the region’s only authentic American country acts, Down Home is on a mission to bring the southern sound to the UAE.
“Legends like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash have always inspired our music,” says Mike Ulanski who came to the UAE from Ohio in 2012, “I’ve seen some amazing talent here in the UAE, but no one was playing the style of music we missed from back home.”
“We grew up on country music,” says Missouri native Adam Showalter. “To be honest, we weren’t even sure that there was a market for the style in this region, but we decided to take a chance.”
As it turns out, Down Home’s gamble is paying off. The positive feedback from patrons has been overwhelming since their debut last July.
“We are serving up an authentic experience here at the Hide. From the moment our guests arrive, they take in the feeling of our rustic décor, open stone oven and vintage bar. Down Home has been a perfect addition to the restaurant’s atmosphere,” says [Al Qasr/the Hide spokesperson.]
As the Hide serves up a twist on classic American favorites, Down Home puts a few surprises in their set list as well. While country western classics are a fan favorite, guests perk up their ears to twangy versions of pop-favorites like Justin Bieber, Meagan Trainor and Ed Sheeran.
To those who may think that Down Home is just another act – “I am from a town of about 300 people in the middle of Missouri,” laughs Showalter. “You can’t get more country than that.”
Down Home takes the stage and transport their audience to the south with nothing but six strings and low tone vocals every Wednesday night at The Hide from 7:30 pm on. Enjoy southern comforts, from prime ribs on the bone to fried chicken and braised lamb, and finish it off with campfire S’mores and Apple Pie.