Thursday 18
Scream at the Jonas Brothers: The pop-rock stylings of brothers Nick, Kevin and Joe may not be to everyone’s tastes, but you can bet Abu Dhabi’s tweenie contingent have been crossing the days off their calendar for this one. Expect ear-deafening screams, tears and possibly the odd fainting fit as the Disney-backed threesome hit the stage at Yas Island.
Dhs150-Dhs450. Doors open 6pm. Yas Arena, Yas Island. www.timeouttickets.com
Whet your whistle: If you’re bored of the same old beverages that most of the city’s bars serve up, then pay a visit to One To One Hotel, where the two-day Tap Out festival will be showcasing dozens of different hoppy draughts from across the world, while DJs and live musicians will provide the soundtrack.
5pm-1am. Village Club, One To One Hotel, Salam Street (02 495 2000)
Hit the Sky: Ask any of Abu Dhabi’s Lebanese contingent which is the best nightspot in Beirut and most will mention Skybar. The famous bar/club has just moved to Cairo, where it has proven to be an equally popular haunt. DJ Ralph from Skybar Egypt is coming to Oceans in Abu Dhabi to give us a taste of the place’s cool vibes.
Dhs100, free for ladies. 9.30pm. Oceans, Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah (02 674 1094)
Go cupcake crazy: Got a sweet tooth? For one week only Piano Lounge is selling delicious cupcakes in blueberry, raspberry and chocolate flavours. Best of all they’re open 24 hours, so perfect for satifying midnight munchies.
Piano Lounge, InterContinental (02 666 6888)
Friday 19
Party on a desert island! Abu Dhabi Country Club is hosting trips out to Al Maya Island every Friday for a fun-packed beach party. Bring your bathing suit, pretend like its Ibiza and get ready to dance till the wee hours.
Abu Dhabi Country Club (02 657 7612)
Treat the kids: There’s a cartoon parade happening today over on Yas Island. Word on the street is there’s an Alice in Wonderland theme, with visitors encouraged to arrive in fancy dress.
Gateway Park, Yas Island www.yasisland.com
Hear the sounds of Paris: DJ Claude Challe is the man behind the world-famous Buddha Bar franchise. The Paris-based spinner will be dropping by the Yacht Club’s terrace for a night of deep house vibes.
Free. 9pm-late. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Go for an early morning bike ride: The cycling branch of Abu Dhabi Tri Club are a friendly bunch who organise bike rides for beginners to get used to the capital’s roads and cycling etiquette. Set that alarm clock nice and early!
Visit www.abudhabitriclub.com for details.
Saturday 20
Stuff yourself with crab: We’re a big fan of the Thai-themed seafood restaurant Fishmarket, and we love crab. So you can bet we’ll be there at least once during the next five days when Chef Sawai will be preparing some special crab dishes for hungry seafood fans.
Fishmarket, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Catch up on some Potting: The wizard is back, though he’s hardly the nippy young lad he once was. The first instalment of the final chapter of the Potter series, The Deathly Hallows, finds Harry (now university age) trying to discover the secret to his enemy’s immortality – a normal weekend for most UK uni students, truth be told. In cinemas across the UAE from November 18.
Try out a new spa: At last it’s open. The capital’s newest and most glamourous spa, world-renowned brand Espa, is taking bookings for facials, massage and hamam treatments. Drive out to Yas Island for some serious pampering.
Espa, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 0000)
Learn to breakdance: Feeling limber? Head over to Yas Island for the day, where, fresh from wowing the crowds at Beats on the Beach, dance posse Mighty 4 will be treating crowds to spectacular demonstrations in the ancient arts of breakdancing and beatboxing. Interactive workshops are also promised for the truly brave/shameless.
11am-8pm. Gateway Park, Yas Island www.yasisland.com
Sunday 21
Eat a Sunday roast: Ask a lot of expats what they miss most about their homeland and a good roast dinner will be near the top of their list. That’s why many will be thanking Marco Pierre White for introducing a proper Sunday roast beef dinner at his Abu Dhabi steakhouse.
Dhs275, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3238)
Enjoy some free beverages: Ladies pay a visit to Cho Gao for a tasty choice of mixed beverages absolutely free.
Saturday, Sunday 9pm-1am. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 616 6149)
Bolly-up: With an estimated 60 per cent of the capital’s population hailing from the sub-continent, it’s no wonder Bollywood garners such a large audience. You can go beyond your cinema seat with this weekly Bollywood dance class, kicking off at 4.30pm.
Kerala Social Centre (050 701 3814)
Mind the Ghaf: Abu Dhabi-based German artist, Ines A Landmesser, hosts a new exhibition, Tomorrow is Now, at the Ghaf Gallery. Pop along anytime between now and December 15.
Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Monday 22
Listen to some beat mixing: Like the East? Like the West? Well now the twain have met. Head on down to Fusion Night at Enigma, where DJ Lee will be hitting the decks until the early hours, and dropping some fusion beats. Free.
10pm-3.30am. Enigma, Al Raha Beach Hotel (02 508 0555)
Bowl a fast one: Take the family down to Bowling City and hire a lane. Bowling not your thing? No matter, they also have billiards, karaoke cabins and video games. More fun than should be allowed on a Tuesday, really.
Al Mariah Mall, Al Markaziyah (02 676 0444)
Express yourself through dance: We can’t all be elegance and grace on the dance floor. Or can we? Expressions of Dance & Drama has qualified instructors teaching 17 different types of dance to both kids and adults. Head on down and get that left foot right.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-1pm, 2.30pm-5.30pm. 23rd Street, Muroor Road, Al Muroor www.expressions-dance.com (02 448 2778)
Look into the future: The Saadiyat Story at Manarat al Saadiyat features models of the architecture set to be built in the city.
Open daily 10am-8pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, www.saadiyat.ae (02 666 9656)
Tuesday 23
Shake that thing: Shimmy and shake your way to washboard abs with this popular belly dancing class. Great for coordination, improving rhythm and, of course, toning up your core muscles.
Dhs35-40. 7.30pm-8.30pm. Beach Club Rotana
Chuckle yourself silly: The Laughter Factory’s monthly comedy night returns for another evening of fast-paced gags and thigh-slapping silliness. London-born comic Carl Donnelly is most likely to steal the show – flip to page 64 to read our interview with the man himself.
Dhs115. From 9pm. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 621 0000) www.timeouttickets.com
Try some aqua pilates: Can’t choose between a relaxing time in the pool or a spot of pilates? Now you can do both. Take the plunge and get toned up with some aqua pilates.
Dhs30. 9am-10am. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah (02 697 0272)
Shout ‘I remember this one!’ Like your parties retro? Flashback at Eight is about as old-school as they come, so slip on some vintage threads, slick your hair back and get moving to the hits of yesteryear.
Free (by reservation only: reservations@eightabudhabi.com) Eight Restaurant & Bar, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1988)
Wednesday 24
Feast on seafood: Dine on fine seafood from the buffet at Flavours, including all the lobster, oysters and prawns you can eat. Yum.
Dhs235. Flavours, Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333) 7.30pm onwards
Climb aboard the dragon boat: Bored of pounding the treadmill? Why not sign up to a dragon boating team for a fun way to keep fit? You can even try the first two weeks for free.
6.30pm. Capital Dragons, Abu Dhabi Marine Sailing Club (050 763 4008)
Relax with the girls Thirsty? Female? Live somewhere in the region of Cooper’s bar at the Park Rotana? Don’t like paying for things? Fantastic news – tonight’s the night you get to fill up on free grapey beverages. You lucky, lucky thing.
From 8pm. Park Rotana (02 657 3333)
Flex your mussels: Caught yourself yearning for the taste of the sea? Get down to Brauhaus, where visiting chef Paul Vanlancker will be cooking up his famous mussels dishes, while talking about how much he loves Brussels. A winning combination in anyone’s book.
Beach Rotana (02 644 3000)
