The best nights out and nightlife venues in Abu Dhabi are going to be revealed in June by Time Out Abu Dhabi.
After spending the a whole 12 months reviewing the city’s best gigs, concerts, ladies’ nights, club nights, DJs, bands and bars, we’re now ready to release the nominees for the fifth Time Out Abu Dhabi Music & Nightlife Awards.
And on June 26, we will crown the best of the best in this incredible city at a glittering ceremony at The Abu Dhabi EDITION.
With the nightlife scene in Abu Dhabi continuing to grow every year, the 2019 Awards are set to be the most competitive yet.
There are some new categories to this and, as always, a very competitive Best Newcomer category. For a venue to be nominated for that particualr award, it has to have opened between November 1, 2018 and April 18, 2019. Any places in this category are not eligible for any other award.
Our dedicated team of anonymous reviewers goes out en masse every night of the week, to live and breathe the social life of the city, to be on the pulse of what’s happening and where – so we can tell you, without any bias – or influence from third parties – where you need to be going to for a top night out.
How the process works is outlined here.
Today we’re announcing the nominees for this year’s awards from each category. The overall winners will be revealed at the event on Wednesday June 26.
And a lucky few of you will be able to join us, you can find out more about that very soon.
There will then be a huge after-party at a venue that’s going to be announced very soon (but, trust us, it’s going to be amazing – and you’re invited).
Congratulations to everyone who’s shortlisted below.
For table bookings and prices, please contact Joanna.Farrer@itp.com.
EVENTS
BEST LADIES’ NIGHT
1. Catch Rooftop, Nation Riviera
2. Cho Gao Marina Walk, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
3. Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
4. Hamilton’s Gastropub, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
5. Iris, Yas Island
6. Loca, Al Maryah Island
7. MAD on Yas Island, Yas Island
8. Ray’s Bar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
9. Skylite, Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi
10. The Warehouse, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
BEST COMEDY & THEATRICAL EVENT
1. Bazzar by Cirque du Soleil, Alchemy Project
2. Dane Baptiste, The Laughter Factory
3. Gatz – Elevator Repair Service, NYUAD Arts Center
4. Josh Howie, The Laughter Factory
5. Larry Dean, The Laughter Factory
6. Rob Deering, The Laughter Factory
7. Short+Sweet Abu Dhabi 2019, NYUAD Arts Center
8. The Rain of Light Festical, Louvre Abu Dhabi
9. Tom Stade, The Laughter Factory
10. Tom Wrigglesworth, The Laughter Factory
BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT
1. Andrea Bocelli, FLASH Entertainment
2. Bastille, Club Social by BRAG
3. Bayreuth Festival, Emirates Palace Auditorium by Abu Dhabi Classics (DCTA)
4. Bob Marley Birthday Festival by Reggae Beachfest and Steppin’Razor
5. Guns N’ Roses, du Arena by FLASH Entertainment
6. Judge Jules, Marina Weekender by 4-Front Entertainment
7. Migos, World Rallycross Abu Dhabi by FLASH Entertainment
8. Post Malone, du Arena by FLASH Entertainment
9. Sam Smith, du Arena by FLASH Entertainment
10. The Turntable Orchestra, Louvre Abu Dhabi and DJ Lobito
BEST PARTY BRUNCH
1. Eat. Play. Laugh. Brunch, AT25, Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi
2. Bubbalicious, The Westin Golf Resort & Spa
3. Coya, The Galleria
4. Funch, Stars ‘N’ Bars
5. Le Brunch, Iris
6. Loca, The Galleria
7. McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
8. PJ’s Hog Fest, PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
9. Saturday Brunch, Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE
10. The Friday Marina Brunch, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
11. The Stage Brunch, Jazz@PizzaExpress
12. The Stills Playroom Brunch, Stills Restaurant & Bar, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
PEOPLE
BEST ABU DHABI BAND
1. Big Mouth, PJ O’Reilly’s
2. H20, Victor’s Bar & Restaurant
3. NnN Duo, Velocity
4. Nuvo Soul Band, Iris
5. SoulStar, Jazz Bar & Dining
6. Suckin Diesel, McGettigan’s
7. The International Playboys, Heroes, Funch
8. The Shakedown, Stars ’N’ Bars
9. Uptown, Jazz@PizzaExpress
10. yfy, Porters English Pub
BEST ABU DHABI DJ
1. Allad
2. Cliff Townley
3. Hassan Alwan
4. James Murray
5. Keith Dobbs
6. Lucy Stone
7. Nuff Said
8. Rob Forrest
9. Saif N Sound
10. Slim
VENUES
BEST COCKTAIL BAR
1. Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
2. Caramel Restaurant & Lounge, The Collection at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
3. Cho Gao Marina Walk, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
4. Iris, Yas Island
5. Pisco Lounge, COYA Abu Dhabi
6. Ray’s Bar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
7. Roberto’s Lounge & Club, Al Maryah Island
8. Tamba, The Hub at The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
9. The Dragon’s Tooth, Dai Pai Dong, The Rosewood Abu Dhabi
10. The St. Regis Bar, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
1. Belgian Café Abu Dhabi, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
2. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
3. Jazz@PizzaExpress, The Hub at The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
4. Jazz Bar & Dining, Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche
5. McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
6. PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
7. Porters English Pub, Grand Millennium Al Wahda
8. Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
9. Stock Burger Co., Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
10. The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
BEST SPORTS BAR
1. Belgian Café Yas Island, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
2. Blu Sky Lounge & Grill, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
3. Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
4. McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
5. NRG Sports Café, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
6. Sports Café, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
7. The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
8. Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
9. Velocity, Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi
10. Victor’s Pub & Restaurant, Hilton Capital Grand
BAR WITH A COMMITMENT TO ENTERTAINMENT
1. Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
2. Iris, Yas Island
3. McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
4. PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
5. Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
6. The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
7. Victor’s Pub & Restaurant, Hilton Capital Grand
8. Viewz, Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi
BEST BAR WITH A VIEW
1. Azura Panoramic Lounge, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
2. Catch Rooftop, Nation Riviera
3. Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
4. Glo, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
5. Hakkasan Terrace, Emirates Palace
6. Pacifico TIKI, Al Raha
7. Puesta Del Sol, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
8. Ray’s Bar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
9. Relax@12, Aloft Abu Dhabi
10. The Roof Bar @ Turtle Bay, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
BEST RESTAURANT BAR
1. 99 Sushi Bar & Grill, The Galleria
2. Attic Bar, Market Kitchen, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
3. Butcher & Still, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
4. Circo, Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
5. Cho Gao Marina Walk, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
6. Dino’s Bistro Italiano, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
7. Li Jiang, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
8. Stratos, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
9. Tamba, The Hub, The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
10. Zuma, The Galleria
BEST AFTER-BRUNCH PARTY
1. Belgian Café Abu Dhabi, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
2. Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
3. Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
4. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
5. Loca, The Galleria
6. McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
7. Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
8. The Retreat, The Westin Golf Resort & Spa
9. Velocity, Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi
10. Victor’s Bar & Restaurant, Hilton Capital Grand
BEST BEACH BAR
1. B. Lounge, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
2. Beach House, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
3. Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Resort & Hotel
4. Breeze Lounge, Emirates Palace
5. Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
6. Cabana Beach Bar & Grill, Nation Riviera Beach Club
7. Ginger Mermaid, Zaya Nurai Island
8. Nasma Beachfront Bar, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
9. Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island
10. Yas Beach, Yas Island
GRAND PRIX
BEST NEW NIGHTLIFE VENUE
1. ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
2. Casa de Cuba, Yas Marina
3. Cuvee Bar – Signature Bar & Lounge, Royal M Hotel & Resort
4. Dahab, Hilton Capital Grand
5. Groovz, Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan
6. Library Bar, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
7. M Club & Lounge, Royal M Hotel & Resort
8. Mr Miyagi’s, Yas Marina
9. The Lounge, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
10. The Scene, Yas Marina
CLUB OF THE YEAR
1. Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort
2. Hysteria, Hilton Capital Grand
3. Legends Night Club, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
4. MAD on Yas Island, Yas Island
6. Shanghai Club Abu Dhabi, Al Diar Capital Hotel
7. The Exchange Lounge & Night Club, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
PUB OF THE YEAR
1. Brauhaus, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
2. Captain’s Arms, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
3. Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
4. McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
5. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
6. PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
7. Porters English Pub, Grand Millennium Al Wahda
8. The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
9. The Tavern, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
10. Victor’s Bar & Restaurant, Hilton Capital Grand
BAR OF THE YEAR
1. Back Yard Bistro, The Hub, The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
2. Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
3. Iris, Yas Marina
4. Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island
5. Hamilton’s Gastropub, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
6. Loca, The Galleria
7. Ray’s Bar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
8. Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
9. Velocity, Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi
10. The Warehouse, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
