There’s nothing quite like seeing a sporting spectacle in the flesh. From the footballing thrill of a 30-yard screamer nestling into the top corner, the beauty of the perfect golf swing or the bone-shaking satisfaction of a try-saving rugby tackle, watching drama unfold live, right before your eyes is hard to match.
But if you can’t be there in person, then sharing the highs and lows, the tears, the triumphs (and the chicken wings) with a bunch of pals at your favourite sports bar comes a pretty close runner-up. Looking for the best Abu Dhabi sports bars?
Luckily, here in Abu Dhabi we have a host of fantastic haunts where the screens are so big and the happy hours so good that you will still feel like you’ve got the best seat in the house.
With the World Cup coming next month, what better time to round them up? Ready for the best Abu Dhabi sports bars? Let’s go.
3rd Avenue
If you’re an avid sports fan looking for Abu Dhabi sports bars, this Sheraton venue will be right up your street. Those looking for a new place to call your “local” will find themselves right at home at this intimate pub. Settle down in one of the inviting leather chairs and fix your gaze at one of the large screens broadcasting the best sporting clashes from all corners of the globe.
For the best happy hours in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Sat-Wed 11am-2am; Thu-Fri 11am-3am. Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel Abu Dhabi (02 692 8500).
Blu Sky Lounge & Grill
Blue (it still has an “e” to us) is the colour and football is the game at this hot spot at the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi hotel. While a wide variety of sports are shown here, you’ll be on home turf if you’re a fan of the beautiful game and even more so if you back Manchester City. Whoever you cheer for, though, you will be on target for a top time whenever you pull up a chair at one of the top Abu Dhabi sports bars.
For the latest Time Out Abu Dhabi bar reviews, click here.
Open Sun-Wed 3pm-3am, Thu noon-3am; Fri 3pm-3am; Sat noon-3am. Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Al Mina, Al Zahiya (02 818 4888).
Cooper’s
Looking for a sweet pub atmosphere while you catch the latest game? As well as frankly staggering drinks deals, this British-style spot comes with a rocking atmosphere, plenty of good pub grub and, of course, a multitude of screens to catch the match on. After the final whistle has blown, you can stay a while and enjoy the regular live musical entertainment. We’ll see you there. Anytime, really. This is one of the best sports bars in Abu Dhabi.
For the best outdoor Abu Dhabi bars, click here.
Open Sat-Wed noon-2am; Thu-Fri noon-3am. Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Salam Street, behind Khalifa Park (02 657 3333).
Hamilton’s Gastropub
Looking for top Abu Dhabi sports bars on Saadiyat? You’d better put Hamilton’s on your list. Trendy nightlife spots in Abu Dhabi come and go, but some old favourites are here to stay. Hamilton’s is one such place, with immaculate food, drinks and vibes. It strikes the optimal balance between classy and casual.
Click here for the full Time Out review of Hamilton’s Gastropub.
Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat-Sun 11am-2am. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas (02 697 0125).
Lock, Stock & Barrel
Looking for an Abu Dhabi sports bar at Yas Bay Waterfront? LSB has a massive indoor bar with loads of space and a massive sports screen where you’ll surely be able to catch all the sports action. LSB’s food menu is pretty extensive too, serving American favourites such as burgers and sandos, ribs, lasagne and fried chicken.
For where to watch the World Cup that isn’t a sports bar, click here.
Mon-Thu 4pm-1am; Fri noon-3am; Sat 1pm-3am; Sunday noon-1am. Yas Bay Waterfront, instagram.com/lockstockabudhabi (04 423 8308).
McGettigan’s
Looking for sports bars in Abu Dhabi with plenty of craic? Irish eyes are always smiling at this popular Emerald Isle-themed haunt, and you’ll plenty to cheer about if you are a football fan, too. You can really make a day of it too, at this perennial award-winners. From a brilliant breakfast deal and a traditional roast dinner, you can make sure your own pre-match preparations are on point. Leave the warm-ups to the professionals, let’s take a look at that menu instead.
For the best ladies’ nights in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Mon-Thu 3pm-2am; Fri-Sat noon-3am; Sun noon-2am. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Muroor Road, (02 698 8137).
Offside Sports Lounge
With a name like offside (no, we’re not going to explain the rule) you’d expect to see the World Cup in Abu Dhabi at this sports bar. With great deals on drinks and food you can get your fill and watch the latest action as it unfolds on the pitch.
For the best places to watch the World Cup in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Tue-Fri 5pm-1am, Sat-Sun 1pm-1am. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island (02 811 4342).
PJ O’Reilly’s
It’s always fun and games at Abu Dhabi’s original Irish pub – which is still one of the best haunts in town. The warm and welcome sports bar always provides some good fun whenever you pay a visit, with a vast selection of draught hops on tap, pool tournaments and more. When you are in the mood for watching rather than playing, you will always find the match of the day on display on the array of TV screens and lots of good company to enjoy it with.
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Open daily, noon-1am. Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Street (800 101 101).
Porters English pub
Looking for the best Abu Dhabi sports bars downtown? This corner of England in the Middle East is the perfect place to see the high-octane drama of Premier League football in full flow. Talking of full flow, there are plenty of beverage deals and a tasty menu to tackle while you’re there. For an authentic British pub feel while you watch the footie with your mates, Porters should feature prominently on your social schedule.
Click here for the best chicken wings in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily noon-3am. Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Hazza Bin Zayed Street (02 495 3936).
Stars ’N’ Bars Abu Dhabi
This American-style bar brought all the way to Abu Dhabi from glitzy Monaco breaks down those international barriers by speaking the universal language of sport. It’s fun, colourful and has an ample supply of screens showing sports from all corners of the globe. If sport is happening somewhere in the world, whatever day it is, you will find it here. It is a previous Time Out Abu Dhabi Music and Nightlife Awards Sports Bar of the Year for good reason.
For the best nachos in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily 11.30am-3.30am. Yas Marina, abudhabi.starsnbars.ae (02 565 0101).
Stills Bar & Brasserie
Looking for stylish Abu Dhabi sports bars? This Yas Island venue is home to the longest bar in Abu Dhabi (coming in at an impressive 26m) so there is a good chance you will always find a seat. With its classy interior reminiscent of a sleek Manhattan night spot, you might not have Stills marked down as a destination to cheer on your favourite team with your pals. But with TV screens both inside the swish bar and outside on the pleasant terrace, Stills Bar & Brasserie measures up well against the competition.
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Mon-Thu noon-1am; Fri-Sun noon-3am. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island (02 656 3000).
The Sportsman’s Arms
With a title like this (added to the fact it’s located in Zayed Sports City) you would expect to get more than your fill of sporting action here. And, thankfully, you’d be right. As well as a top-class menu of American-Irish influenced grub, the bar nestled away in the International Tennis Center serves up a wide range of drink options, both in snug booths and in the central bar area at this top sports bar.
For the best Saturday brunches in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open Sun-Thu 8am-midnight; Fri-Sat 8am-1am . First Floor, International Tennis Center, Zayed Sports City (02 447 1066).
The Retreat
Looking for lowkey Abu Dhabi sports bars? Swing by this golf resort bar for a high-class sporting experience. While there are only a handful of screens here, quality more than makes up for the lack of quantity. It’s not just a great choice to gather around for the latest golfing major, fans of all sports are well catered for. You won’t ever feel like making a hasty retreat.
For the best burgers in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily noon-3am. Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Sas Al Nakhl (02 616 9999).
Velocity
This cool restaurant, lounge and bar is a dining destination, buzzing night life attraction and busy sports bar all rolled into one, depending on when you pop in. Looking for Abu Dhabi sports bars? If you choose to head on down when there’s a big match on, you won’t be disappointed. The vibrant venue is crammed wall-to-wall with TV screens (38, they say), so you’ll see every shot, serve, swing and try in glorious high definition.
For the best gents’ nights in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily 3pm-1am. Marriott Hotel Downtown, Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (02 304 7777).
Victor’s
Loud, proud and plenty of fun, the Hilton Capital Grand bar has been causing a buzz thanks to its rip-roaring atmosphere and array of cash-saving deals. The impressive island bar, with a big TV screen as its centre piece, shows you immediately that this place means business. There are other screens dotted around the sprawling venue, with a split off area with dart boards once you’re finished with the game.
For top family-friendly brunches in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Open daily, noon-3am. Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (02 666 5508).
