The best squid game parties and events in Abu Dhabi

Do you have a Squid Game obsession?

We’re talking – watched it all in one go, called in sick and became red-eyed and sleep-deprived. Yeah, us too, and we know we are not alone. You can actually play Squid Game in Abu Dhabi, with multiple venues offering games and events inspired by the show.

Squid Game is set to be the most popular show on Netflix, and is predicted to be the most popular Halloween costume of 2021. While we’re sure nobody would want to live in a world where the real version of Squid Game exists, we aren’t quite ready to let the obsession go either.

Wondering where you can play Squid Game in Abu Dhabi? (Or at least, indulge in the obsession with other fans?)

Check out this list of places to play Squid Game in Abu Dhabi and you’re off to the red light green light races.

Red light green light at Heroes’ Halloween bash

Want to play red light green light (the safe version)? Head to Heroes on Thursday October 28 and Friday October 29 wearing your best costume to play the game. No costume means you’ll be disqualified, so be ready to get into the spooky spirit. The winners will get free entrance plus one free drink, otherwise the entrance fee is Dhs100 per person with two drinks included. There will also be a costume contest. First prize gets cheese and grape for two at Spaccanapoli, second prize gets Dhs200 bar spend at Heroes and third prize gets a bottle of sparkling grape or tower of hops. Entertainment for the night also includes live music by DJ Charlie, and live-singer, Nicola.
Dhs100. Oct 28-29 8pm-3am. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Street (02 616 6132).

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Squid Game drunch and ladies’ night at Backyard Bistro

Players get ready. From Friday October 29 to Sunday October 31, BYB is hosting a Squid Game-themed Halloween weekend. There will be daily prizes for the best costumes, plus live music and a Squid Game theme running through the whole event. Head there on Friday October 29 for the Halloween Drunch and you’ll get unlimited drinks from 5pm to 8pm; the regular package costs Dhs129, while the bubbly package is Dhs149 with DJ Teddy Reynolds spinning from 5pm onwards. On Saturday October 30, there is a Halloween-themed ladies’ night with unlimited mussels. Ladies get unlimited flow for three hours for Dhs79 between 9pm and midnight; you can also get unlimited mussels and two hops or two grapes for two hours for Dhs149, or unlimited mussels and unlimited bevvies for two hours for Dhs179. On Sunday October 31 your Squid Game night will be accompanied by a live performance by Pamela Farhat from 10pm onwards. Ready for round one? The game begins.
Prices vary. Oct 29-31. World Trade Centre Mall, Hamdan Street (050 114 3666).

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Squid Game challenges at Korean Cultural Center

The Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi is an institution for sharing Korean culture in the UAE. So naturally, when a Korean series made it to the top of the Netflix charts, the centre organised an event where UAE residents can play the games, too. Registration to join the event is closed now, and participants have already been announced, but we’re waiting with bated breath to see whether there will be another chance to play. Participants play red light green light, the Dalgona candy challenge, the marbles game and the Ddakji game. If Squid Game has fostered your interest in Korean cinema or TV, the Korean Cultural Centre is also the perfect place to go learn more. You can take language and cooking classes there, too. Who knows, maybe you’ll be watching Squid Game next time in Korean?
Building 5, twofour54, Khalifa Park uae.korean-culture.org/en (02 491 7227).

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Play Squid Game at Expo 2020’s Korean Pavilion

If you think you can play Squid Game better than Seong Gi-hun, you have the chance to prove it at the Korean Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Fans of the popular dystopian South Korean Netflix show, Squid Game, can experience real-life versions of the games in the series – minus the violence. At the Republic of Korea pavilion, players can try their hand at the now-famous traditional Korean playground games until Thursday November 14. The games begin at 3pm every day. Be warned, tensions will be high – even when the games look easy. May the best player win.
Daily at 3pm until Nov 14. Republic of Korea Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Exhibition Centre, expo2020dubai.com.