11 awesome things to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi

Thursday
Be mesmerised by robot cat waiters at Dolci & Capricci’s
No typos, just one of the most obscure dinner services in the UAE. If you don’t believe us you should head down to Dolci & Capricci’s Masdar City to find out for yourself. Celebrating the opening of its new location, the Italian eatery will be serving free grub and house bevvies from 6pm to 9pm today. Me-wow.
Open daily noon-midnight, Masdar City, www.dolciecapricci.com (02 631 1030).

Unwind with all the action of Fast and Furious 9
Explosions. Fast cars. Heartfelt friendships. You know we’re talking about the Fast and Furious, and the ninth (yes ninth) edition of the mega-movie franchise hits the big screens in Abu Dhabi today (Thursday May 20). Are ready for the ride of your life? Check out what Time Out has to say on Vin Diesel and co’s latest installment here.

Wander the awesome retail offerings at The Galleria Al Maryah Island
We all need a bit of retail therapy from time-to-time, and with more than 300 stores, The Galleria Al Maryah Island is perfect for anyone looking to have a nosy. All that shopping can result in a ferocious appetite, so you might have to make a pit stop into one of the 70 restaurants that are based in the mega destination. And when you’re done, show some love by voting in The Galleria Diner’s Choice Award for 2021 and put yourself in with a shout of winning a dining experience at the mall. Vote here.
Sat-Wed 10am-10pm. Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Al Maryah (02 493 7400).

Friday
Devour a belly-busting fry-up at The Coffee Club
Forget about the diet and health plan for one day and get stuck into a mega fry-up at The Coffee Club. Cumberland sausages, veal bacon, eggs, cherry tomatoes, button mushrooms, sourdough toast and a hash brown will keep hunger locked up until lunch (and probably longer) and set you right up for a belter of a weekend.
Dhs68. Various locations including Yas Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall www.thecoffeeclubme.com.

Go to infinity at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Get your head wet this weekend at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers infinity pools (plural). The mega towers’ pools offer stunning vistas of the Arabian Gulf and the city itself (hello, Instagram) and pool goers can grab themselves cheap drinks during 6pm and 8pm with a very happy hour. And sploosh!
Corniche Road, Al Bateen (02 811 5555).

Take on The Tasting Class’ blind tasting challenge at Graphos Social Kitchen
Think you’re a great grape connoisseur? Well now is your chance to show your skills with a dimple-inducing tasting class at the Graphos Social Kitchen at Hilton Yas Island. For Dhs220, visitors will enjoy six glasses of grape, a grape tasting lesson from The Tasting Class and a cheese and charcuterie board. The catch is that you’re blindfolded. Will your taste buds pass the test?
Dhs220. Fri May 21 4pm-6pm. Graphos Social Kitchen, Hilton, Yas Island, tastingclass.com.

Throw down at the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup
Bring out the inner warrior and throw yourself onto the battle mat (well, cheer on from the safety of the sidelines) at the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup. The best teams around the UAE come together for a weekend of submissions, tricep sweep, triangle sit-ups and more in this celebration of the martial art. And bow. Not into marital arts, check out more sporting activities in Abu Dhabi here.
Fri May 21 starts 11am, Sat May 22 starts 8.30am. FGB Arena, Al Rawdah, events.uaejjf.org/en/event/270.

Work up a sweat on with Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
Kick-start your fitness regime after Ramadan with the Escape & Evolve fitness plan at Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. Running over Friday May 21 and Saturday May 22, staycationers will be put through their paces by BR Performance Studios and Bodyism in a series of fitness workshops including swimming, running, endurance and strength conditioning on the pristine Saadiyat Beach, before refueling and recovering at the hotel’s restaurants. Pack those trainers, you’re going to need them.
Dhs650 plus VAT (weekend pass, no hotel stay). Dhs1,250 plus VAT (single occupancy). Dhs1,850 plus VAT (double occupancy, Dhs925 plus VAT each). Fri May 21-Sat May 22. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Island (050 641 7965).

Saturday
Dive into a pool day at Saadiyat Beach Club
Feeling the heat? Don’t sweat it and get yourself down to Saadiyat Beach Club for a pool day at one of the prettiest beach clubs in the capital. Weekday passes come in at Dhs250 per person or Dhs350 per couple. On the weekend it’s Dhs375 per person and Dhs525 per couple. Get ready for plenty of Instagram opportunities.

For more pool days in Abu Dhabi click here.
Sun-Thu 8am-sunset: Dhs250 (per person), Dhs350 (per couple). Fri-Sat 8am-sunset: Dhs375 (per person), Dhs525 (per couple). Saadiyat Island (056 219 2699).

Enjoy a clear night at 18 Degrees Bar
Fancy a night out in the world’s furthest leaning man-made tower? Of course you do. 18 Degrees Bar offers stunning vistas of the capital below and is a super spot to kick off your weekend. And even better, it’s non-smoking so you won’t have to wave away billowing clouds of smoke to chat with mates.
Open daily 4pm-midnight. Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (056 544 8158).

Show off your footie skills at Abu Dhabi Cricket pitch
Wait a minute. Don’t we mean have a bat and bowl at Abu Dhabi Cricket pitch? Normally yes, but at the oval ground you can swap the cork and willow for a size five Mitre (it might be Nike). There are tonnes of pitches – both artificial and natural – in different sizes so no matter how big your squad is, you can always have a kick about.

For more football pitches to hire in Abu Dhabi, click here.
From Dhs200 per hour. Times vary. Abu Dhabi Cricket, Khalifa City, www.abudhabicricket.ae.