Winter Garden at Emirates Hills

Why Emirates Hills is getting a winter garden pop up
Dubai in winter has its own rhythm. Afternoons start with “just a quick coffee,” then somehow turn into sunset plans, then into “shall we stay for one more?” because the air is finally cool enough to enjoy. That is why this new Emirates Hills pop up feels so perfectly timed. It is outdoors, community minded, and built around the simple joy of lingering. The story starts with a familiar name. Phileas Fogg’s, the family friendly pub at The Address Montgomerie Hotel, has closed. It reportedly wrapped up in October, and for a lot of regulars, that left a gap. It was the kind of place you could take kids without stress, meet friends without booking weeks ahead, and sit outside when the weather behaved. Instead of leaving the venue quiet until a brand new opening, Solutions Group has decided to keep the space alive through the season, while their next big concept takes shape.

And honestly, that is the part that makes this feel different. This is not just a “coming soon” sign and a locked door. It is a proper in between chapter, designed for people who want somewhere relaxed to go right now.

The main event arrives next year: The Hills in spring 2026
Solutions Group, the team behind Dubai favourites like The 305, Ula, Blended Wellness and more, is reimagining the space entirely. According to Caterer Middle East, the new venue will be called The Hills, described as a “new age country club” with a dedicated glasshouse event space. It is set to open in spring 2026 at The Address Montgomerie Hotel, in the exact location where Phileas Fogg’s used to be.

What we know so far makes it sound like one of those places designed for real life, not just for a single kind of night out. The Hills is expected to include a sports bar, a restaurant, an outdoor terrace and lawn, kids’ areas, and an arcade. That mix matters in Dubai, because groups are rarely just one vibe. One friend wants a quiet dinner, another wants to watch the match, someone is bringing their children, and somebody else wants to be outside because they have spent the whole week indoors. A venue that can handle all of that without feeling chaotic is usually the one that stays busy. The name also hints at the mood. Country club does not have to mean exclusive or stiff. If it is done well, it means comfortable seating, a reason to stay a while, plenty of greenery, and a space that feels easy whether you arrive in trainers or a summer dress.

The winter warm up: The Garden Project
Before The Hills officially opens, Solutions Group is launching The Garden Project, a limited time open air pop up at Address Montgomerie. Think of it as a winter social garden, built for the months when Dubai is at its best. The idea is straightforward. Guests are encouraged to spend time in the garden while the permanent venue is being developed. It is set up as an open air community space with activities, food, and a day to night flow that matches how people actually spend winter weekends here.

Paul Evans, CEO of Solutions Group, put it simply. They wanted to give Dubai residents somewhere to enjoy while The Hills comes together, focusing on connection, fun, and open air vibes from morning to night. It reads like a simple statement, but it is exactly the promise that makes a winter pop up worth visiting. Nobody wants complicated. People want a good atmosphere, good food, and space to breathe.

What you can expect, from daytime chill to nighttime buzz
The Garden Project is designed to change character across the day, which is what makes it feel like more than just a temporary patio. By day, it is described as a chilled marketplace set up. Picture food trucks, picnic tables, shaded lawns, and space for the little ones. That is the sweet spot for Dubai winter, especially if you are trying to plan something low effort. You can arrive with a friend, wander, grab something casual, and settle in without committing to a formal sit down meal. If you have kids, it sounds like one of those rare places where they can move around, and you are not spending the whole time saying “sit still.”

There is also something quite comforting about a daytime garden atmosphere in Emirates Hills. The Address Montgomerie area has that tucked away, green feel that you do not always get in the city. It is calm, leafy, and just removed enough from the rush, while still being easy to reach. By night, the energy shifts. The Garden Project is expected to transform into a more vibrant social spot, with bars, acoustic music, and community events that are still meant to be family friendly. That balance is tricky, but it is the difference between a place you visit once and a place you keep returning to. The goal is clearly to create a space where adults can enjoy an evening out, without it feeling like kids are an afterthought or an inconvenience.

If you are the kind of person who loves a lively setting but does not want the full nightclub volume, acoustic music nights and community events can be the perfect middle ground. You still get the atmosphere, but you can actually talk without leaning across the table.

Why this concept makes sense for Dubai right now
Dubai has no shortage of openings, but the places people talk about are not always the flashiest. They are the ones that feel right for the season. In winter, that means outdoors, casual, and flexible, part of that wider Dubai festive glow that runs through the season. A pop up garden with daytime food trucks and evening social energy fits the way people plan here. It also fills a gap in the market that not everyone notices until it is missing. We have plenty of high polish dining and big brunches. What we do not always have is a simple outdoor space where you can show up without overplanning, spend a few hours, and leave feeling like you actually had a proper break.

There is also a practical side. A limited time pop up builds familiarity and momentum for the bigger launch next year. People get used to the location again, rediscover the setting, and start picturing how The Hills might feel once the full concept is in place. That is smart hospitality. It keeps the story moving.

Be sure to make the most of it
If you go during the day, lean into the casual nature of it. Make it a “walk in and see” plan. Bring friends who like grazing rather than sitting through a long meal. If you are meeting parents, it sounds like the kind of spot where nobody feels guilty about a slightly noisy table. If you are going as a couple, it is the sort of place where you can actually linger without being asked if you want the bill after forty minutes. If you go at night, treat it like an easy social plan. Start with one drink and a wander, then settle into the mood once the music starts. A garden space with a bar and acoustic sets tends to suit groups, especially when half the group wants something lively and the other half wants a conversation.

And if you are the kind of person who likes to know what is happening across the city without scrolling endlessly, you will sometimes see these seasonal openings picked up in round ups on LuxuryProperty.com , which can be handy when your weekend calendar needs ideas.

Why It Works
Dubai winter is short, which is exactly why concepts like this land so well. The Garden Project sounds like an easy win for anyone who wants relaxed outdoor vibes, good food, a bit of atmosphere, and a space that works for both families and friends. It also gives a preview of what is coming next, with The Hills set to open in spring 2026 as a new age country club style venue with a glasshouse event space, plus dining, sport, and family friendly zones. So if your usual winter routine needs a fresh option, keep this on your radar. Grab your friends, bring the family, or just turn up hungry, and enjoy the garden while the bigger transformation is underway.