F1™ Fan Zone (Corniche Beach): If a ticket to Formula One is out of your price league, don’t despair, as perhaps the next best place to watch the big race is the F1™ Fan Zone on the Corniche, organised by Flash. Huge screens will show the live broadcasts of both the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi races, including practice and qualifying races. You can even test your driving skills on a Formula One simulator, although we suggest settling down for a Formula One marathon.
The Yacht Club: If you fancy watching the Formula One in some classy, chilled out surrounds, you won’t get better than this upmarket bar. Tucking into some quality Pan-Asian food while supping on a cool drink will make for a serene contrast to the high drama of the Formula One action.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Heroes: This rough-and-ready, underground expat haunt, is one of the capital’s best-loved sports bars that’s especially popular come big match day in the football season. But it will also be showing Formula One and the good atmosphere and plenty of TV screens make it a good choice.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Street (02 621 0000)
Hemingway’s: This cheery, Latino style bar has plenty of TVs to keep up on the latest Formula One action. Hemingways also does some mean Tex-Mex grub should you need filling up. They will be showing every Grand Prix race, so you won’t any of the action.
Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel, Corniche Road (02 681 1900)
NRG: The replica Formula One car by the entrance of this bar gives you a clue to the sports pretensions of this bar. Situated in Le Meridien’s ‘Village’ entertainment complex, is a lively old place during major sporting events, and with wall-to-wall big screens TVs and pool tables it’s almost a given that it will be packed, so get there early to stake yourself a decent viewing spot. The food’s not bad either.
Le Méridien, Tourist Club Area (02 644 66666)
Belgian cafe: If it’s a plate of mussels, some chips and mayo, some Belgian waffles and a wide rande of hop-based bevvies to accompany the Formula One action then the Belgian Cafe’s your man.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
PJ O’Reilly’s: The ever-popular Irish bar is sure to be rammed to capacity over Formula One weekend as motorsports fans pack in to see the live broadcasts and soak up the ‘craic.’
Le Royal Meridien (02 674 2020)
Know your times…
Brazilian Grand Prix
(Local time GMT+4)
Nov 5: 4pm-5.30pm (practice one); 8pm-9.30pm (practice two)
Nov 6: 5pm-6pm (practice three); 8pm (qualifying)
Nov 7: 8pm (race day)
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
(Local time GMT+4)
Nov 12: 1pm-2.30pm (practice one); 5pm-6.30pm (practice two)
Nov 13: 2pm-3pm (practice three); 5pm (qualifying)
Nov 14: 5pm (race day)
