There’s so much to do on Yas Island that the choice of bars can be overwhelming. Not with our handy guide, though.
Aquarium
Really more restaurant than bar, there are no prizes for guessing that Aquarium’s big focus is on seafood. Don’t miss out on the catch of the day, or the happy hour with half-price drinks from noon to 7pm, Sunday to Thursday.
Open Sat-Wed noon-1.30am, Thu-Fri noon-2am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (050 696 9357).
Belgian Café Yas Island
The business model of having expertly made (and often quite strong) hops alongside hearty Belgian dishes has proved so
popular that there are now six separate Belgian Cafés around the UAE, including this Yas Island edition.
Open Sat-Wed noon-2am, Thu-Fri noon-3am. Radisson Blu Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 2406).
Casa De Cuba
One of the UAE’s big F&B success stories from recent years, Casa De Cuba offers a long weekend for fans of dancing, music and expertly mixed drinks. There’s live music, too, and a generous three-hour happy hour, even on Fridays and Saturdays.
Open Sun and Thu 5pm-3am, Fri-Sat 4pm-3am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (056 742 7435).
Diablito
Spread over two storeys by the Yas Marina, Diablito draws inspiration from Spain, Mexico and Italy for its eclectic food and beverage menus. Unsurprisingly for a restaurant of this name, there are plenty of spicy options for you to choose from as well.
Open Sat-Wed 5pm-11pm, Thu-Fri 5pm-midnight. Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 565 1175).
Empire Yas Bar
If you’ve got your dancing shoes on (or a chronic case of insomnia) then Empire can look after you until 4am most days. Part of the former Viceroy Hotel at the Yas Marina Circuit, it can get busy on the weekends and positively packed around the F1 weekend when some of the world’s best DJs come to blast the night away.
Open Mon-Fri 10pm-4am. Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (050 501 5052).
Filini Garden
Boasting one of the best spots on Yas Island to have a sundowner, Filini Garden has been impressing guests and critics alike since it opened in 2018. Come for the air-conditioned terrace and stay for the excellent food and mixed drinks.
Open Sun-Mon 5pm-1am, Tue-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri 12.30pm-12am. Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 4000).
Hickory’s
You might not think that a golf course would be the place to go for an all-day bar, but Hickory’s has some of the longest opening hours anywhere on Yas Island. Aimed at golfers as a 19th hole, it’s open to non-playing parties, too.
Open daily 6.30am-midnight, Yas Links Golf Course, Yas Island (02 810 7714).
Iris
If you want a night out that’s more on the chilled side, then forget about the big clubs and instead head to Iris. Offering a little bit of everything, you can come here for a post-work drink, some dinner and then hang out as the space becomes a brilliant nightclub.
Open Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun 6pm-3.30am; Fri noon-3am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 406 2000).
Mr Miyagi’s
Another to have made the journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Mr Miyagi’s has a good food menu, but there are no shortage of drinks options either. If you want to enjoy your favourite pan-Asian dishes with a crafty mixed drink, then this is the spot for you.
Open Tue-Thu 5pm-3.30am, Fri-Sun noon-3.30am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 565 1150).
Skylite Rooftop
One of the finest rooftop bars anywhere in the capital, Skylite is a trendy hotspot atop the Yas Hotel. The comfy seats and neon lighting are very Instagram friendly, but don’t let that put you off – you can always have fun by photobombing posers.
Open Sat-Thu 6pm-1am, Fri 4pm-1am. Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 0600).
Stars ’N’ Bars
With décor that seems to draw its inspiration simultaneously from a student union, an American diner and a NYC dive bar, Stars ’N’ Bars is one of the best sport lounges anywhere on the island. It hosts live music and a cracking Friday brunch, too.
Open daily noon-3am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 565 0101)
Stills Restaurant & Bar
Stills is one of the older establishments on Yas Island and, thanks to a revamp last year, still one of the best. Primarily focused around a gastropub concept, it has some of the finest burgers anywhere on the island.
Open daily 3pm-1am. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 3066).
The Scene by Simon Rimmer
Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer has made the short journey down to the capital after the success of the Dubai incarnation of his gastropub. British food is often maligned by other Europeans, but the Englishman seems determined to change people’s minds about it. The drinks deals are decent, too.
Open daily noon-1am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (050 797 0331).
Y Bar
With happy hours, live sports and a dizzying choice of libations, the Y Bar may not be offering anything out of the ordinary, but it does everything well. Food is served, too, and, unusually, kids are allowed in (until 10pm).
Open Sat-Wed noon-2am, Thu-Fri noon-3am. Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island (02 656 4000).
