State Street’s Dubai Restaurant & Bar closed Sept. 17 after over six years in business, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Owner Miar Maktabi opened the spot in April 2018, billing it as a “Mediterranean experience.”
For almost 40 years before Dubai occupied the space at 419 State St., the building was home to the Yellow Jersey bike shop. Beginning in 2014, the spot saw several restaurants, including Palmyra Mediterranean Grill, Spanish-style tapas restaurant Zandru’s, and then Latin-themed Palmas Bar & Lounge.
Maktabi said in spring 2020, his restaurant sustained $39,000 worth of damage from looters over the course of one week. He said he plans to open a new bar in the future.
