EURO 2020 is finally upon us, and fans of the beautiful game cannot wait to pull on their colours, fly the flag and get stuck into wall-to-wall coverage of the continent’s biggest football tournament.
But what about those who (gulp) don’t care if football is coming home?
Well, in the interest of fair play, we’ve swapped the football boots for stylish shoes, donned a buttoned shirt instead of our kit and shown the red card to terrace chants to bring you some of the very best venues not streaming the Euros this summer.
No interest in inverted wingers and overlapping full backs? Get yourself to one of these top spots to avoid the cheering masses.
ANNEX
We’re kicking off our list with one of the most swish spots in the capital. Sitting on Al Bateen Marina, Annex is where all the cool cats in Abu Dhabi hang and have a raucously good time. Spread over three floors, the lounge-cum-bar-cum-nightclub is where you want to go if you are looking to having a bop, grab a bite to eat or take some killer snaps for the socials. Home to the ever-popular Amapiano brunch for most of the year, if you want to escape the footy and increase your swag, this is the place to be.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 418 2432).
Beach House
A joint that instantly evaporates stress and replaces it with good vibes, Beach House at the Park Hyatt is the perfect sanctuary from the cheers of elation and howls of derision from the football crowd. Arguably the best place in all of Abu Dhabi to catch the sunset, it’s impossible not to curl up into a ball of happiness on the uber-comfortable sofas while listening to the waves lapping against the shore, knowing you’re safe from the hustle and bustle of modern life and, more importantly, away from the football.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1138).
Filini Garden
There may be plenty of greenery around in this bar at the back of the Radisson Blu Yas Island, but we can guarantee you won’t be seeing any footballs laying around should you decide to call in. The outdoor terrace is certainly cosy and provides some great views of Yas Island and, if you’re feeling peckish, the pizzas are made of winning slices. Make sure to get yourself a pic in the lush tunnel of plants that greets visitors.
Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 2000).
Impressions Rooftop Bar
Ask any Abu Dhabian where they would spend a few hours to enjoy a bit of me time and it’s likely the Eastern Mangroves would be near the top of their lists. And one venue that holds a prime position is Impressions Rooftop Bar in the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. A small spot which adds to its sense of exclusivity, kick back on a sofa on the terrace, take in the city’s skyline and the wonderful natural habitat below, or stay inside away from the summer heat. And what’s more – there are zero screens. Bliss?
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel (056 188 7700).
Library Bar
As you can probably imagine from the name, this bar oozes sophistication. An ideal locale to shoot the breeze with mates, Library Bar in The Abu Dhabi EDITION serves up top-notch bar snacks thanks to the influence of British chef Tom Aikens and, with zero LED screens to be found, there won’t be any football chanting to disturb this bar’s easy-going manner.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
The Warehouse
From our go-to establishment for a cheeseboard and glass of grape to money saving deals that bring smiles to our faces (as well as our bank accounts) every night of the week, there are many reasons why this bar is the current title holder of Time Out Abu Dhabi’s Best Bar. And for those who don’t have any affection for the beautiful game, they can add another to the scoreboard in the tapas bar’s favour as it will be a European Championship free zone this summer.
Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 307 5552).
However, if you are looking to watch Euro 2020 head here to find out everything you need to know.
