Wednesday
’70s and ’80s Night
Listen to all the best from the eras that style forgot.
Harvesters Pub, Sands Hotel Abu Dhabi (02 615 6666).
Cuban Sunsets
Head to Relax@12 to usher in the sunset with delicious Cuban blends. As their bartenders reach for their muddles and mint leaves and the evening falls, the space fades into a majestic view over the city and the DJ gets you in the groove.
Enjoy buy-one-get-one-free Cuban blends from 5pm-7pm every evening. Relax@12 (02 654 5138).
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La Disco Vita
Old school R&B tunes are on the menu for Allure’s new mid-week bash. It’s ladies’ night, too, with free bubbly on tap for members of the more fragrant gender all night. While it’s a more laid-back affair than the club’s hell-raising weekend parties, the same strict door policies apply. Best call ahead to avoid disappointment.
Ladies drink for free. Free. 10pm till late. Allure by Cipriani (050 596 9543).
Quiz Night
Take the hot seat at Black Pearl quiz night, loaded with fun and fantastic prizes every Wednesday.
8pm. Black Pearl, Al Raha Beach Hotel (02 508 0555).
Thursday
Audio Tonic
Resident DJs Mr Mr, Soulfisher, Vas Floyd and Raxon deliver a line-up of the latest and biggest house tunes, with international guest stars shipped in once a month. The setting at Monte-Carlo Beach Club’s ultra-plush Sea Lounge makes this night an unmissable fixture on the party calendar.
Free. 9pm-3am. Sea Lounge (02 656 3500).
B-Lounge by Beachcomber
The new chill out lounge at Sheraton Abu Dhabi has a DJ playing ambiant tunes every Thursday and features a bar, a fire pit, an amphitheatre with Arabic cushion seating and occasional live performances the rest of the week. Make sure to check out this new hot spot in town, daily from 6pm.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (02 677 3333).
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Layali 1001
Enjoy the ultimate clubbing experience, Beirut style, with guest stars and a live band battling with DJ Giorgio.
7pm-3.30am. Sax (02 674 2020).
Party Time
Head to Etoiles on a Thursday night after work where you can party with DJ Jack mashing it up on the decks with a selection oh house/R&B and hip hop accompanied by George Safi the percussionist setting the club on fire.
For more information and to book, call the number below. Etoiles (02 690 8960).
Rock Night
Perfect for those looking for a good night out that doesn’t require shiny shoes and an ironed shirt. There’s usually a live band belting out the hits of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and similar crowd-pleasing acts, and, while they’re not exactly amazing musicians, they at least succeed in whipping the capacity crowd up into a power chord-fuelled frenzy of sweaty excitement.
PJ O’Reilly’s (02 674 2020).
Urban Education Every
Thursday except the first of each month, Decadent Entertainment presents Urban Education. With resident DJ Rone Jaxx playing his unique blend of old, new and commercial R&B, hip hop and Dancehall at Pearls & Caviar.
Free, 7pm-2.30am. Pearls & Caviar (02 509 8777).
Friday
Bring Down the House
Every Friday the new urban night at Etoiles brings you international DJ battles, celebrity DJs and live performances from R&B and hip hop stars from around the globe.
Free entry before 1am. Etoiles (02 690 8960).
Cheese Factory
There are parties where only the exceptionally beautiful people of Abu Dhabi convene, dressed in their exceptionally expensive designer clothes, drinking exceptionally expensive beverages. And just because this isn’t one of them, doesn’t mean it’s not loads of fun. Expect to see some amazingly bad dancing, probably from people who ought to know better.
PJ O’Reilly’s (02 674 2020).
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Gent’s Night
DJ Roland hosts a night for the boys around town with a special beverages and cigar menu and a free welcome drink for the guys. Friday night is for the men at Oceans.
From 7pm. Oceans (02 674 1094).
MustHaveSoul
Soulful decksmith Simon Reid and cohorts Conan Liquid and Melohman shift their much talked-about Friday night shindig to Saadiyat Island’s first party spot, teaming soul-infused house tunes with Monte-Carlo Beach Club’s invigorating sea breezes. It’s an early starter, so either head down early to grab a bite and tap your toes, or rock up just before midnight to catch the party at its peak.
Free. 4pm-2am. Sea Lounge (02 656 3500).
Pure Allure
Yas Island’s biggest Friday night bash, attracting an image-conscious crowd from both the capital and Dubai. Allure’s resident DJs spin the latest commercial R&B hits, while you and your chums check out the stunning views of the neighbouring Yas Hotel and Formula One circuit. All-male groups will face trouble with the bouncers, as will those not adhering to the strict dress code. As ever, calling ahead is the best way to avoid disappointment.
Ring in advance for prices. 10pm till late. Allure by Cipriani (050 596 9543).
RetroFlect
Every Friday, the biggest and coolest post brunch party in the capital. RetroFlect takes you back to the era when ‘image was everything’. From ’70s Glam Rock, through to the New Wave and Romantics genres of the ’80s, right up to the rock and pop classics of the late ’80s and early ’90s. As the sun sets and the heat gets turned up, DJ Afroboogie in his first ever residency in Abu Dhabi, will be twisting the night into his very own style of deep, vocal house with a splash of the classics.
Free, 4pm-2.30am. Pearls & Caviar (02 509 8777).
Saturday
Eightyluscious
Never mind the fact that most of this trendy uptown spot’s regular clientele were still in nappies when Boy George first belted out ‘Karma Chameleon’ – it seems they’ve still got plenty of enthusiasm for ’80s pop hits. Even if the prospect of Kylie, Madonna and Duran Duran fails to ignite your party spirit, the cut-price drinks served up between 8pm and midnight ought to get you in the mood.
Free. From 10pm. Eight Restaurant & Bar (02 558 1988).
Immaculate Sunsets
Now every Saturday at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Immaculate Sunsets features well known local DJs ChadPhunk, Stew Magoo, Natalie Brogan and Adam L on saxophone. Ladies will receive selected beverages from 5pm-6pm. A perfect way to finish off your weekend with glorious sunsets and uplifting House music.
Need we say more? Sea Lounge (02 656 3500).
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Sunday
Singles Traffic Jam
The traffic light party (in which revellers wear a red, orange or green badge to broadcast their availability to potential mates) may be a concept born on sweaty student union dancefloors, but in the chic surroundings of one of the city’s more upmarket nightspots, it’s pulled off with a respectable amount of class. Just don’t be tempted to steal a traffic cone on the way home.
Free drinks for ladies. Free. From 10pm. Eight Restaurant & Bar (02 558 1988).
Monday
Quiz Night
An evening of brainteasers, courtesy of resident quizmaster Mike Greaves. It’s free to enter and, as well as spoils for the winners, there’s a prize for last place. Proof at long last that your mother was wrong when she said you’d never get anywhere by sitting in a corner scratching yourself like an ape.
Free. 8pm-10.30pm. Heroes (02 616 6132).
Tuesday
Pink Tuesdays
DJ Neil T hosts a ladies’ night with a twist. As well as free sparkly pink stuff for the fairer sex all night long, those who turn up clad in fuschia, magenta, coral, rose or any other pinky hue will also land themselves free selected beverages. Better still, book a table for five or more in advance and you’ll even get a round of free cupcakes. As for the music, expect R&B and club classics.
Free. 10pm-3am. Eight Restaurant & Bar (02 558 1988).
Trivia Tuesdays
Feeling competitive? Brush up on your trivia every Tuesday night at Harvesters Pub. The winner has the chance to have their bar bill scratched. What more could you ask for?
8pm. Sands Hotel Abu Dhabi (02 615 6666).
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