If you’re looking for an unusual bar experience in Abu Dhabi, this place will certainly pique your interest. It might look like your fairly standard spot on the ‘gram, but don’t be fooled. The journey through the hotel and the vibes inside the bar itself are an eclectic mix.
If you’re anything like us, this new spot is sure to leave you pleasantly puzzled.
The journey to Hoods begins outside of the Villagio Hotel & Resort, where you walk through a front gate to enter a makeshift village street that doesn’t resemble anywhere else we’ve been in Abu Dhabi. There are a handful of small storefronts on the ground level with stony facades and lush plants that create the impression of a cross between a European street and a doll’s house.
Walk down this closed-off street or take a quick scoot on a golf kart to Hoods Resto & Bar, where the mixed-up vibes continue. There’s a slightly steep set of stairs to navigate before you enter. The space is split in half, with the restaurant on one side and the bar on the other. Dark tables, chairs, and floors with floor lighting make you feel like you’ve entered a cave. The bar side includes a handful of tables and a row of chairs at the bar.
The décor is a quirky mix of ornaments including a Japanese lucky cat, a paper skeleton, a framed row of guns, and a large TV that’s playing a dramatic 90s movie in the background while we chat. The space starts off empty but slowly fills up with who we imagine are residents from the hotel or nearby.
The drinks are reasonably priced, and if you’re looking for bar snacks you can’t go wrong with the shredded Hoods tortilla cheese bread or the golden avocado sticks – both are incredibly moreish. The service is attentive and friendly, and we walk away feeling warm towards the space despite its strangeness.
Looking for something a little different? This is it.
