With smoking in bars still very much the norm in the UAE, heading out for a beverage indoors can be a little unsavoury for the city’s non-smokers.
Thankfully, not every outlet has an ashtray on the table – here are some of Abu Dhabi’s best non-smoking bars.
18 Degrees Bar
Named after the sloping angle of the Andaz Capital Gate building, the interior of this super swish bar is a no-smoking zone. Located at the top of the world’s furthest leaning manmade tower (Pisa’s is 5.5 degrees), this place is filled with fun, interactive entertainment plus cracking pre- and post-dinner drinks options. If you’re looking to light up you can head out onto the bar’s plush terrace while taking in stunning city views the whole way to the Corniche.
Open daily 4pm-midnight. Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (056 544 8158).
Amerigos
This Mexican joint on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island turns up the heat with spicy food and not with a lighter. A super colourful bar with funky décor and and chill vibes, diners can tuck into Mexican cuisine such as shrimp-packed gobernador tacos for Dhs66 or loaded nachos for Dhs86, all while bopping away to some banging beats.
Open Sat-Wed 5pm-1am, Thu 5pm-2am, Fri 12.30pm-3.30pm, 5pm-2am. Park Inn by Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Island (02 656 2222).
Cho Gao
If you like a stylish bar paired with pan-Asian cuisine, Cho Gao has to be top of your list of haunts to head for Abu Dhabi. Alongside interesting mixology, check out dishes including spring rolls for Dhs55 and chicken pad Thai for Dhs80, or take on the monster Cho Gao platter (with a friend) of grilled beef and chicken satay, vegetable springs rolls and steamed prawns siew mai served with ginger-chom and peanut dip for Dhs95 before relaxing with a drink or two to see out the rest of the evening.
Open daily noon-1am. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (02 616 6149).
La Salle
This French lounge bar really does exude a certain je ne sais quoi, and also happens to be a smoke free venue. Seating up to 42 guests, the intimate establishment at Saadiyat Beach Club serves up swish French fare from the Provence region. Tables that looked like they have been carved straight from tree (don’t worry there are no splinters) a white marble bar and a chandelier all combine to make this a destination that visitors can snap a few pics of for the ’gram without worrying about a smoky filter.
Open daily 5pm-1am. Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island (02 656 3535).
Library Bar
Fancy a drink in sophisticated surroundings without the smell of smoke? Library Bar in The Abu Dhabi EDITION is an ideal spot at which to kick back with a glass or two of grape or a couple of mixed drinks without having to worry about waving away a cloud of smoke. Bar snacks are top-notch thanks to the influence of British chef Tom Aikens and with an easy-going atmosphere, this is a top spot for those who want a night of class rather than ash.
Open Sun-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Hidden Bar
Hidden by name but certainly not hidden by nature, this bar is a favourite among those in the city with a penchant for juniper-based beverages, as well as guests who don’t wish to smoke. A slick, cosy lounge with low lighting and light jazz playing make this a great place for an after-work hang.
Open Sat-Thu 6pm-3am, Sat noon-4pm. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
McGettigan’s
Ireland was the first place in the world to introduce a smoking ban in bars and restaurants and Irish pub McGettigan’s keeps up the tradition with the entire venue a non-smoking space. Diners can tuck into quality pub grub, get their hands on a deal of five selected house beverages for Dhs100 and watch the sport on a plethora of screens dotted throughout the bar.
Open daily noon-1am. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, (02 698 8888).
Offside Sports Lounge
If you are a non-smoking sports fan then a visit to the Offside Sports Lounge is must. Nestled in at the side of Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, expect to find sports memorabilia plastered all over the walls, including Andy Warhol-style skateboards, and tonnes of screens. Happy hour takes place every day from 5pm to 7pm with hops starting from Dhs25.
Open Sun, Tue-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat noon-1pm. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort (02 811 4342).
The Sportsman’s Arms
Located in a spot that is all about keeping fit, The Sportman’s Arms continues with the health-conscious theme by saying no to smoking. The capital’s only American/Irish gastropub does all the hearty dishes you would expect from a sports bar, including nachos, burgers, pizzas and chicken wings as well as well as a daily happy hour (Fridays and Saturdays is 12 hours long), with prices starting from Dhs22 on selected drinks.
Open Sun-Thu noon-11pm, Fri-Sat noon-1am. The International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City (02 403 4235).
The Championship Lounge Sports Bar
What is the point of taking in all that fresh air from 18 holes of golf at one of Abu Dhabi’s top courses, to then inhale a barrel of smoke in the bar? Zero, and at The Championship Lounge Sports Bar, smoking inside is considered a bogey at this clubhouse. With a five-hour happy hour that takes place six days a week, guests can take advantage of bargain drinks deals starting from Dhs23 on selected bevvies while watching sport on one of the club’s four TV screens in a smoke-free environment. But if you do want to swing a smoke, the terrace at the Falcon clubhouse accommodates smokers’ needs.
Open Sun-Sat 4pm-midnight, Fri 1pm-2am. Khalifa City (056 536 2230).
W XYZ Bar
If you’re a non-smoker who likes a bar with decent grub, a good selection of drinks, lively music and plenty of screens on which to catch the latest sporting action, get down to W XYZ Bar. Yes, it may be a lobby bar, but it’s the best pick in the whole place if you’re after a spot to unwind with a beverage.
Open daily noon-11pm. Aloft Abu Dhabi, National Exhibition Centre, Al Rawdah (02 654 5000).
