Abu Dhabi’s best nightlife destinations and nights out are about to be revealed by Time Out Abu Dhabi.
The Time Out Abu Dhabi Music & Nightlife Awards are back for another year in 2020, within which there are 19 categories celebrating the city’s best nights out.
Over the past 12 months, our team of reviewers has been out and about around the city, reviewing Abu Dhabi’s best bars, pubs, clubs, gigs, concerts, ladies’ nights, DJs, bar bands and more – and we’re revealing the shortlists for the Time Out Abu Dhabi Music & Nightlife Awards 2020 below.
Our dedicated team of anonymous reviewers goes out every night of the week, to live and breathe the social life of the city, to be on the pulse of what’s happening and where – so we can tell you, without any bias – or influence from third parties – where you need to be going to for a top night out.
From super-clubs to rooftop bars, bar bands to DJs, sports bars to ladies’ nights, we’ve been there – and there’s a category to recognise them.
There have been no nominations and there is no public vote. You can trust we are giving you an honest, independent review, without any outside influences.
New for 2020 is the Terrace Bar category, which recognises bars in the city with a superb outdoor terrace area.
Venues that opened between September 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020, are eligible for the newcomer award and are not entered into any other categories.
The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony on Tuesday March 31 at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Music & Nightlife Awards 2020, which will be held at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. This will be followed by a huge after-party at a venue that’s going to be announced very soon (but, trust us, it’s going to be amazing – and you’re invited).
Sit tight for the official announcement of the very best nightlife destinations in Abu Dhabi.
For event table bookings and prices, please contact tablebookings@timeoutabudhabi.com. For event queries, contact Joanna.Farrer@itp.com.
EVENTS
BEST LADIES’ NIGHT
ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Aquarium, Yas Marina
Casa de Cuba, Yas Marina
Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Iris, Yas Island
Loca, Al Maryah Island
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
Mr Miyagi’s, Yas Marina
Ray’s Bar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
The Warehouse, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
BEST COMEDY & THEATRICAL EVENT
Ethiopian Dreams by Circus Absynnia, NYUAD
Flight, Vox Motus, NYUAD
Homegrown UAE, various dates, ANNEX, The Project UAE
Matt Reed, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Laughter Factory
Tez Ilyas, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Laughter Factory
Rooftop Rhythms, various dates, NYUAD
STREB, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Trevor Noah, du Forum, Offbroadway Entertainment
Who’s Line Is It Anyway by The Noise Next Door, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Laughter Factory
Yalla Laughs, various dates & venues
BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT
Block Party, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Bruno Mars, Resolution by Night, du Arena, FLASH Entertainment
Electro Cubist Night, Louvre Abu Dhabi,
Eminem, du Arena, FLASH Entertainment
In The Mix, Zayed Sports City, Mass Events
Lana Del Rey, du Arena, FLASH Entertainment
Marshmello, du Arena, FLASH Entertainment
Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Arena, IMG/Live Nation
Sons of Yusuf, ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The Killers, du Arena, FLASH Entertainment
BEST PARTY BRUNCH
American Brunch, Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
ANNEX Animals, Annex, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Bubbalicious, Fairways, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
BYOF, Appaloosa, Marriott Hotel Al Forsan
Coya, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Loca, The Galleria
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
Mercadito Night Brunch, Amerigos Mexican Bar & Restaurant, Park Inn Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
PJ’s Hog Fest, PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
Wok & Roll Brunch, Mr Miyagi’s, Yas Marina
PEOPLE
BEST ABU DHABI BAND
Alina & Nikos, Jazz & Fizz Bar
Cubache, Iris Yas Island
Mizmo Band, Velocity
Out-Break, Victor’s Bar & Restaurant
Lovebox, Jazz@PizzaExpress
Sweet Chilli Jam, PJ O’Reilly’s
The International Playboys, Heroes, Funch
The Shakedown, Stars ’N’ Bars
Who’s Who, The Sportsman’s Arms
yfy, Porters English Pub
BEST ABU DHABI DJ
Allad
Cliff Townley
Hassan Alwan
James Murray
Keith Dobbs
Moky
Nuff Said
Rob Forrest
Saif and Sound
Slim
VENUES
BEST MIXED DRINKS BAR
ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Casa De Cuba, Yas Marina
Hidden Bar, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Iris, Yas Island
Pisco Lounge, COYA Abu Dhabi
Tamba, The Hub at The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
The Library Bar, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The Dragon’s Tooth, Dai Pai Dong, The Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Zuma, Al Maryah Island
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
Belgian Café Abu Dhabi, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
Jazz & Fizz Bar, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
Jazz@PizzaExpress, The Hub at The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
Porters English Pub, Grand Millennium Al Wahda
Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
Victor’s Bar & Restauant, Millennium Capital Center
BEST SPORTS BAR
Blu Sky Bar & Grill, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
Bridges Bar, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
NRG Sports Café, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
Velocity, Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi
Victor’s Pub & Restaurant, Millennium Capital Center
BEST BAR WITH A VIEW
ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Azura Panoramic Lounge, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Breeze Lounge, Emirates Palace
Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Glo, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Hakkasan Terrace, Emirates Palace
Lexx, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
Pacifico TIKI, Al Raha Beach
Ray’s Bar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
BEST RESTAURANT BAR
Amerigos Mexican Bar & Restaurant, Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Attic Bar, Market Kitchen, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
Bentley Kitchen, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Butcher & Still, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
Cho Gao Marina Walk, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Hakkasan, Emirates Palace
Pisco Lounge, COYA Abu Dhabi
Stratos, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
Tamba, The Hub, The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
Zuma, The Galleria
BEST AFTER-BRUNCH PARTY
Belgian Café Abu Dhabi, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
Loca, The Galleria
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
Porters English Pub, Grand Millennium Al Wahda
Stars ’N’ Bars, Yas Marina
Velocity, Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi
Victor’s Bar & Restaurant, Millennium Capital Centre
Viewz, Cristal Hotel
BEST ROOFTOP BAR
Al Mesayan, Jumeirah Al Wathba
ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Azura Panoramic Lounge, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Beach House Rooftop, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
Diablito, Yas Marina
Level Lounge, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
Pearls Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri Abu Dhabi
Up & Below, Courtyard by Marriott, World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
VaKaVa, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
The Roof @ Turtle Bay Bar & Grill, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
BEST OUTDOOR TERRACE
Aquarium, Yas Marina
Barfly by Buddha-Bar, Venetian Village
Belgian Café Abu Dhabi, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Casa De Cuba, Yas Marina
Eclipse Terrace Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Glo, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Hakkasan Terrace, Emirates Palace
Iris, Yas Marina
BEST BEACH BAR
B. Lounge, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Beach House, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
Breeze Lounge, Emirates Palace
Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Cabana Beach Bar & Grill, Nation Riviera Beach Club
Ginger Mermaid, Zaya Nurai Island
Nasma Beachfront Bar, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island
GRAND PRIX
BEST NEW NIGHTLIFE VENUE
49ers, The Gold Rush, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
Brick Rooftop Bar & Kitchen, Aloft Abu Dhabi
Easy Tiger, Al Ain Palace
Marco’s New York Italian, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Offside Sports Lounge, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
Rosé Lounge Bar, Bab Al Qasr
Shala Beach Lounge, Park Hyatt Hotel & Villas
The Attic, Howard Johnson Hotel
W Lounge, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Wet Deck, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
CLUB OF THE YEAR
ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Hysteria, Millennium Capital Centre
MAD on Yas Island, Yas Island
ONYX Club Abu Dhabi, Novotel Al Bustan
PUB OF THE YEAR
Brauhaus, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
Captain’s Arms, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel & Resort
Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
Porters English Pub, Grand Millennium Al Wahda
The Sportsman’s Arms, Zayed Sports City
The Tavern, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Victor’s Bar & Restaurant, Millennium Capital Centre
BAR OF THE YEAR
ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Buddha-Bar Beach, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Filini Garden, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Hamilton’s Gastropub, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
Lexx, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences, Emirates Pearl
Loca, The Galleria
Mr Miyagi’s, Yas Marina
Pisco Lounge, COYA Abu Dhabi
Ray’s Bar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
The Warehouse, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
