Say hello to Ce La Vi: much-anticipated new sky bar opens atop Dubai's new Address Sky View

One of Asia's most popular rooftop bars Ce La Vi, a so-called "fusion of music, mixology and food", is now open atop the soaring 260-metre-tall Address Sky View, a facade that has loomed over Downtown Dubai for several years as it was constructed. The three-level Sky Bridge on floor 51, connecting the skyscraper's two towers, has long drawn comparisons to Singapore's most recognised building: Marina Bay Sands.

The irony that the Singaporean export should arrive in Dubai atop a veritable replica of Marina Bay Sands isn't lost on the team behind it. In fact, given that it was seemingly done on purpose, it's almost a moot point.

"Well, it wasn't entirely an accident," Ce La Vi executive chairman Mark Bedingham admits. "We are here to bring very innovative, modern cuisine in a spectacular location."

And while Bedingham says the location isn't exactly a coincidence, it did take some time to get that perfect balance of atmosphere and jaw-dropping vistas, much the same as its famous Singapore outpost, while also having the ability to ensure there was sufficient outdoor area to drink in the view.

Luckily, enough approvals were sought and granted to ensure that it became a reality. Ce La Vi boasts a 360-degree wraparound terrace, complete with an infinity pool, a sky bar, club lounge and restaurant. On one side, you have completely unobstructed views of the Burj Khalifa (fittingly, as the architects of the Address Sky View are the same ones who designed the world's tallest building) and the fountain show, while on the other, you have sweeping views out over the coastline. Even arriving at Ce La Vi is an experience, as there's a dedicated glass elevator stretching from the ground to the 51st floor, to ensure no view is missed.

Ce La Vi's Southeast Asia and Dubai regional director Harry Apostolides says this was all part of the concept. In fact, the team were so set on their vision of "bringing the outdoors indoors" that they went straight to the top, to the bosses at Emaar. This meant building a mock-up of the building and putting it in a wind tunnel to ensure the bar could make the most of the view – meaning tweaks to the design and getting the right see-through barriers for the terrace.

"However, the focus has always been that you don't have [just] a view," Apostolides says. "The expectation is that you're coming for great food and entertainment, and the view is a bonus."

Ce La Vi was born and expanded in Southeast Asia, and Dubai marks the seventh opening of the brand, and arguably the farthest out of its comfort zone. It's largely focused on a localised expansion, now having outposts in Singapore, Colombo, Taipei, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Movie fans are likely most familiar with its Singapore location, which was the setting of the final scene of Crazy Rich Asians.

Bedingham says Dubai was the natural next step for the company, which was focusing on major international cities in the region. "The opportunities are here," he says. "It's got a combination of being an international city, but there are international residents too – and it's rising as a tourism destination. And those tourists are coming both from Europe and Asia."

However, he stresses that, despite the mini Marina Bay Sands it's housed in, this is no carbon copy of Ce La Vi Singapore. While the rooftop bar and restaurant will bring the same style of contemporary and fusion Asian cuisine, the menu will also be adapted to suit the Dubai market.

Ce La Vi Dubai's executive chef Howard Ko has honed his craft on the West coast of the US, and brings more than 11 years of experience working at Michelin-starred restaurants.

"We want to make sure that international travellers and international residents are well aware of us, but we also hope to have a strong Emirati consumer base," Bedingham says.

Dubai will also prove a jumping off point from where Ce La Vi will truly go global. Next on the agenda is an outpost in Macau and one in Las Vegas, which will be the first outside Asia.

It's also likely to be an in-demand piece of real estate come time for New Year's Eve countdowns, with its limited front-row seats to the Burj Khalifa's fireworks display. The team acknowledges they anticipate being a go-to destination in 12 month's time.

As for being concerned about Dubai's sometimes fickle restaurant clientele, Bedingham doesn't seem to be. "It just depends on how good you are and how consistent you are," he says. "We learnt from a few experiments that didn't work so well. But if you have a consistency of experience then you will be long lasting."