If you’re the kind of person that thinks being on time is akin to being late, the likelihood is you’ll spend a fair amount of time waiting for your friends to turn up to restaurants. If that strikes a chord with you, next time you’re planning an evening out try one of the venues below, as they all have smashing bar areas that will help those lonesome moments go a lot more quickly.
99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant
This Japanese bar and restaurant originated in Spain, and the super-stylish outlet adds an extra touch of glamour to the already-glistening Al Maryah Island dining scene. From the atmospheric bar area as you enter, to the immaculate plates of impossibly fresh sushi, it oozes class from every corner. Every detail, down to the sensor-controlled bathroom doors and seafood decorated with gold flakes, is super impressive.
Open Sat-Wed noon-1am; Th-Fri noon-2am. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (02 672 3333).
Attic Bar
Up a flight of stairs from the light and airy dining room at Market Kitchen, Attic Bar has a late-night vibe which is complemented by moody lighting and a funky patterned ceiling. The walls are lined with bottles of grape, and the well-stocked bar includes an impressive 23 different varieties of juniper beverages from around the world. Well worth a visit.
Open noon-4pm, 7pm-11pm. Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street (800 101 101).
Buddha-Bar Beach
Set on the sands of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, this pan-Asian restaurant, lounge and beach bar is simply stunning. For creative mixed-drinks as the sun sets there are few better places. Add in the brilliant food and excellent tunes and you have the makings of a wonderful evening.
Open Wed 5pm-midnight; Thu & Sat noon-midnight; Fri 1pm-4pm, 7pm onwards (brunch). The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8888).
Butcher & Still
Prohibition-themed steakhouse Butcher & Still is the very definition of the word cool. The 1930s theme is carried out to brilliant effect, making it glamourous, sophisticated and very hipster-friendly all at the same time. The bar offers a brilliant daily happy hour where you can get two drinks for the price of one, and each beverage is expertly pre-pared by the dapper bar staff. The terrace is also one of the most picturesque places to be during the cooler months.
Open daily 4pm-midnight. Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island (02 333 2444).
Dino’s Bistro Italiano
With a vintage bicycle filled with flowers by the door, an American diner-style ‘Dino’s’ sign up on the wall and kitsch red and white checked tableclothes, Dino’s has a cool and casual vibe which comes as a refreshing surprise in a place as fancy as Abu Dhabi. Guests are even encouraged to scribble on the table with chunky crayons (which is loads of fun no-matter how old you are). The bar area is just as cute and cool, with plenty of options to keep people happy pre- or post-meal.
Open daily noon-3.30pm, 6pm-11pm. Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 307 5591).
Hakkasan
For the purposes of this we’re going to class Hakkasan Terrace as a totally separate entity and, instead, focus on the bar inside because it is ace. The atmospheric bar area is full of character and the mixologists know their way around a zingy flavour combination.
Open Mon-Sat 6pm-11.30pm. Emirates Palace, West Corniche (02 690 7739).
Li Jiang
This Chinese bar and restaurant is found in one of the fanciest hotels in the capital: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. With views over to the Grand Mosque, the staff here are experts when it comes to making super delicious dim sum and other tasty nibbles, but the drinks are also lovely too. If you’re heading here for the Tuesday ladies’ night make sure you wear you best red outfit, as every girl in scarlet gets free-flowing bubbly from 8pm to 10pm. A brilliant place.
Open daily 5pm-11pm. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal , Khor Al Maqta (02 818 8282).
Stratos
Abu Dhabi has a knack for making everything that bit more fancy and flashy, and Stratos is probably one of the best examples of this. The classy restaurant actually rotates, so if you’re here for a few beverages, the view of downtown Abu Dhabi’s twinkling night-time skyline will be constantly refreshed as the night goes on. The revolving is slow so there’s no chance of dizziness, just soak up the panoramic views and have a few bevvies.
Open daily 5pm-1am. Le Royal Méridien, Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Khalifa Street (800 101 101).
Tamba
With dark, muted lighting and striking copper bells hanging from the ceiling, this cool Indian restaurant is in a class of its own. Whether you’re here for a spot of lunch on the terrace, or an evening meal and a few drinks, you’ll leave totally impressed. The cuisine is Indian-inspired with a contemporary twist, while the Thursday ladies’ night and Friday ‘Lazy Lunch’ are always super popular.
Open Sun-Wed noon-1am; Thu-Sat noon-2am. The Hub, The Mall at World Trade Cen-ter Abu Dhabi (02 672 8888).
