Abu Dhabi is pretty special during the day, but at night it is truly something else. After dark the capital seems to take on a new look, new personality and a new vibe.
Looking for things to do in Abu Dhabi at night? Whether you’re looking to fly solo, rally the troops, get the best deals or just feel the need for some banging new content for your social media channels, Abu Dhabi has an event to serve your needs.
Summer is here, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck at home. From stargazing in the desert to drinks deals, kayaking tours to evening meals, we’ve rounded up the very best things to do at night in the capital.
Things to do with mates
Arcade games and burgers at Central
Did you know there’s a licensed bowling spot with burgers and arcade games at Yas Bay Waterfront? Those are a few of our favourite things. The menu at Central Yas Bay is full of American favourites so be sure to arrive hungry and stay for a round of bowling or a whip around the arcade. This is one of the most popular things to do in Abu Dhabi at night in Yas Bay.
Open Mon-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sun noon-3am. Licensed. Yas Bay Waterfront instagram.com/central_uae.
Dinner and a stroll at Mamsha
All of Abu Dhabi might be flocking to Mamsha to have a day in the sun at Soul Beach, but you don’t need to leave once the sun goes down. Mamsha is also a brilliant spot to hang out at night in Abu Dhabi. Head there for dinner at one of the many gorgeous restaurants at Mamsha or go for a late coffee and a stroll.
Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat island.
Enjoy a dhow dinner cruise
Picture this. The sun is setting as a gentle breeze caresses your hair while you and your loved one (or mates) are tucking into a five-star international menu and cruising beside the Corniche on a traditional wooden dhow. Now let’s make it a reality with the Abu Dhabi Dhow Cruise. This is one of the more glam things to do in Abu Dhabi at night. Arrive to a red carpet reception with Arabic coffee and dates, before setting off on a two-hour cruise. There truly are few better ways to spend a memorable, temperate evening in the capital.
From Dhs250. Open daily from 7pm-10pm. Marina Mall (pick-up location), www.abudhabidhowcruise.com (02 666 1255).
Cheese and grape night
We don’t really know what it is but there is something just really classy about a cheese and grape night. Nibbling on an assortment of dairy while sipping on grapes and talking to chums about the day’s events seems all rather splendid. La Cava does a brilliant grape and cheese night with unlimited grape and cheese for two hours starting from Dhs209. What more could you ask for?
From Dhs209. Tue-Sun 6pm-1am. Ongoing. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
Stargazing at Arabian Nights Village
What is the point of coming all the way to Abu Dhabi without spending an evening in the desert gazing up at the night’s sky? At Arabian Nights Village stargazers can soak up a traditional experience while sitting around the fire pit, coffee in hand, ogling those twinkly things up on high. But if that isn’t enough, there are plenty of other cool things to see and do including henna painting and a visit to an Emirati camel farm.
From Dhs945. Timings vary. Arabian Nights Village Road, Mshayrif, www.arabiannightsvillage.com (02 207 8989).
Sports at night
Cycling at Yas Marina
Is there a cooler activity in Abu Dhabi to get up to than cycling an F1 track? At Yas Marina, cyclists can throw on their Lycra and helmets and go for a spin around the world-famous race circuit. All you need to do is register online for one of the coolest things to do in Abu Dhabi at night. Amazing.
Free entry. Tue 6pm-10pm. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, www.yasmarinacircuit.com (800 927).
Dip into the darkness with Al Mahara Diving Centre
Want to see what lies beneath the surface after the sun sets? At Al Mahara Diving Centre, divers can take the plunge into the black abyss to see what weird and wonderful marine life comes out to play at night. Divers need to have the required PADI certifications to participate but, aside from that, a towel and an adventurous spirit is all that is needed for this aquatic night in Abu Dhabi.
From Dhs200. From 7pm (depending on weather conditions). Muroor St, www.divemahara.com (02 643 7377).
Golf round at Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Golfers looking for things to do at night, fret not. There’s no more rushing home post work to get the clubs before night falls. Golfers can go for a round of nine after the sun goes down at Abu Dhabi Golf Club thanks to the state-of-the-art floodlights that light the way. Finally, an excuse to use the yellow balls .
FromDhs290. Open daily, Khalifa City, www.troonabudhabi.com (02 885 3555).
Kayak through the Mangroves
Does a leisurely evening kayak through the beautiful mangroves sound like your thing? Thanks to Noukhada, punters can escape the inner city and go for a night-time paddle around Jubail mangrove at night in Abu Dhabi. Your head will be rotating as much as your oar in order to see all the nightlife (and the stunning sky). Tight.
Dhs210. Daily starts 6pm. Locations vary, www.noukhada.ae (02 558 1889).
Night spin class at CRANK
Nightclub, meet spin studio. CRANK Abu Dhabi is a spin studio that’s all about party vibes with a nightclub sound system and flashing lights. It’s 45-minute classes are fast, loud and energizing enough to have you you dancing on your standing bike. There are ladies-only classes and there’s a smoothie bar to refuel at after your workout, too. Talk about energising things to do in Abu Dhabi at night.
Open daily, 7am-10pm. Sheikha Fatima Park, Al Bateen, crank-fit.com (02 878 4331).
Stroll on the Corniche
Let the stress float away as you wander along one of Abu Dhabi’s most pleasant paths. At just under four miles, this stretch of walkway by the beautiful beach is full of hustle and bustle, so it is a cracking spot for people-watching or for just getting out and about for some much-needed fresh air. Brilliant for families with a number of play areas, the Corniche is one of the best ways to enjoy a free night in Abu Dhabi.
Free. Corniche Road.
Nighttime photo-ops
Chill under the Dome at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Looking for things to do at night that will make you insta-famous? Snaps of the Louvre Abu Dhabi at night are some of the most picturesque shots one can find in capital. Take a stroll around the dome, marvel at the architecture and take a few pics to blow up your social media feed.
Free entry. Wed 6.30pm-9pm. Saadiyat Island, www.louvreabudhabi.ae (600 56 55 66).
Roof walk Ferrari World
One of the most recognisable features of Yas Island is the bright red roof of the shrine to one of the world’s great automobiles, the Ferrari. There is tons to see inside but we love the recently launched roof walk. Visitors can walk, shuffle, whatever they feel like on the 600m path while admiring the breath-taking views of the island. As it’s open until 8pm, later arrivals will have a chance to take in Yas in all its luminous glory. This is one of the scariest things to do at night.
Dhs125. Open daily noon-8pm. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com (02 496 8000).
Watch the sunset at The Founder’s Memorial
Watching that glowing globe departing for the day anywhere in this great city is special, but there is something a bit magical about the sun going down at The Founder’s Memorial. As night descends on the city, The Constellation, the artistic memorial to the late Sheikh Zayed, lights up. Standing 30m tall and using 1,327 geometric shapes, the installation projects a portrait of Sheikh Zayed out into the night and it’s brilliant to watch. Get the phones ready.
Free entry. Open daily 9am-10pm. Corniche West, www.thefoundersmemorial.ae.
Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Arguably Abu Dhabi’s most iconic structure, this magnificent mosque ranks with the most popular attractions throughout the world for its size, beauty, and architectural brilliance. No visitor comes away disappointed from a tour of this stunning building. However, when the sun sets and the lights come on, the sheer majesty of the structure truly shines through.
Free entry. Open Sat-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri 4.30pm-10pm. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, 5th Street (02 41 91919).
Nights out for under Dhs100
Explore Umm al Emarat Park
At only Dhs10 for entry, there is plenty of stuff to get up to including the Wisdom Garden (a place to ponder life’s big questions), the Animal Barn (a petting zoo managed by Emirates Park Zoo), the Botanic Garden (which houses about 200 regional plant species), a 1,000-person amphitheatre, and the Shade House (a structure that is home to more than 30 species). But if you want, just bring a book and chill out on the park benches. That’s cool, too.
Dh10. Open daily 8am-midnight. Al Mushrif (02 666 9559).
Grab a Karak at Shay Madhboot
One of the most popular activities for the locals is going for a cup of karak in the evening. This sweet, creamy tea is packed with cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and saffron among others. It is bursting with flavour and arguably one of the best exponents of the cuppa is Shay Madhboot. Try its famed signature karak, which will never do any damage to the wallet as it comes in at a mere Dhs5. Now that’s a tiny price to pay for such a relaxing evening.
Dhs5. Open daily 8am-7pm. Near Royal Thai Embassy – Muroor Road – Dihan St (02 621 7323).
Have lift-off at Bounce
What goes up must come down… and then up again? At the freestyle playground known as Bounce, there are about 3,000 square metres of indoor trampolines and other bits of kit to let loose on. It’s mental. It’s mayhem. But most importantly of all, it is a lot of fun for both kids and adults alike.
Dhs85. Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, www.bounce.ae (04 321 1400).
Strike it lucky at Khalifa International Bowling Centre
Throwing a heavy ball down a waxed lane in the hope it smashes into ten static pins. It’s quite therapeutic. And for those who agree (which is obvs everyone), Khalifa International Bowling Centre in Zayed Sports City is a top spot to see if the perfect 300 can be achieved. With 40 public bowling lanes, it is the biggest alley in the capital and with a cost of Dhs20 per game, you would be hard pressed to find a better value for money evening for the whole gang in the city. The losers have to pay anyway. Read the rules, people.
From Dhs20. Open daily noon-midnight. Zayed Sports City, www.zsc.ae (02 403 4200).
Top Ladies’ Nights
Iris
Ladies’ night is an obvious choice of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi at night (if you’re a woman, that is) and Iris on Yas Island is serving up an unforgettable Abu Dhabi ladies’ night. Head there for free-flowing drinks from 8pm to midnight for Dhs100 or get unlimited drinks all night for Dhs150.
Dhs100 (unlimited drinks, 8pm-midnight) Dhs150 (unlimited drinks). Wed. Yas Marina (055 160 5636).
Loca
Looking for an Abu Dhabi ladies’ night that’s a little loca? Head to Loca for unlimited Mexican mixed drinks from 7pm to midnight. We’re in.
Wed, 7pm-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 582 3639).
Market Kitchen
Ladies’ Night at Market Kitchen is a long-standing tradition in Abu Dhabi at night. Get free-flowing signature mixed drinks and grape with 50 percent off main courses every Monday from 7pm to 10pm.
Mon 7pm-10pm. Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Street (800 101 101).
PJ O’Reilly’s
It’s always a good time at PJ’s, especially if you can snag a deal. Moon Flower ladies’ night at PJ’s is happening from Sunday to Thursday between 5pm and 10pm. Get free-flowing drinks and unlimited bar bites for Dhs100.
Dhs100. Sun-Thu 5pm-10pm. Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Street, www.pjspubabudhabi.com/ (800 101 101).
Warehouse
If you’re looking for a brilliant Abu Dhabi ladies’ night, you’re going to want to get this deal on your radar. Tuck into two bites from the light bites menu plus unlimited house drinks for two hours.
Wed (2hours), Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Al Rawdah (02 307 5555).
Top Gents’ Nights
Level Lounge
If you’re looking for a cosy place to kick back with the lads, Level Lounge has one of the best gents’ nights in Abu Dhabi. Head to Level Lounge on a Monday and you’ll get three drinks and one bar bite for Dhs60. The deal goes from 7pm to 10pm.
Dhs60. Mon, 7pm-10pm. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Hotel, Hamdan bin Mohammed Street (02 616 6800).
Lock Stock & Barrel
LSB is an easy choice if you’re looking for a top night out in Abu Dhabi and there’s good news for gents. Head there on a Tuesday from 6pm to 1am and you’ll get four drinks and a dish for Dhs150. Ladies get unlimited drinks for the same price on the same night, so you can bring your female friends along too.
Dhs150 (four drinks, one dish). Tue 6pm-1am. Yas Bay Waterfront (04 423 8308).
Stratos Revolving Lounge & Bar
Looking for classic gents’ nights in Abu Dhabi? Stratos is well known for its Wednesday lads’ night. Head there from 7pm to 11pm to get three selected drinks and 50 percent off main courses. Get sky-high 360 degree views of the city while sipping a cold one with the boys. Stratos is also a top spot for brunch, check out the full review here.
Wed, 7pm-11pm. Le Royal Meridien Hotel stratosabudhabi.com (02 695 0490).
