The weekend is nearly here (just a few more hours to go – you’ve got this) which means it’s time to start planning how you’re going to spend your well-deserved days off.
Need some inspo? We’re here to help. Here are ten tremendous things to do www.timeoutabudhabi.com/things-to-do in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
For more fun things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, click here.
Looking to dine out? Head here for all the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
For top bars to check out, click here.
If keeping active is more up your street, have a gander here for everything sport and wellbeing-related across the capital.
And it wouldn’t be the weekend without a banging brunch, would it? For your essential guide to brunching in Abu Dhabi, head here.
Weekend, sorted.
Thursday
Catch a free Korean film festival
Grab your comfiest blanket (you know the one), a bunch of movie snacks (some Korean food perhaps?), and get ready for some seriously cool films. Why? Because the Korean Film Festival is back for its fifth year and will be running online from Thursday August 19 until Saturday August 28. The free film festival will include six feature-length films and 18 short independent animations to enjoy – you can check out the full line-up here.
Thu Aug 19-Sat Aug 28, uae.korean-culture.org.
Kick start the weekend at ANNEX
ANNEX, just outside The Abu Dhabi EDITION, is one of the coolest nightspot spots in the capital and there’s a cracking Thursday night deal to take advantage of that will help you get the weekend going in style. The trendy bar is giving you two hours of unlimited mixed drinks and three menu items for Dhs295. Not hungry? Choose the mixed drinks package for two hours for Dhs195.
Dhs195 (mixed drinks only), Dhs295 (mixed drinks and three bites). Thu 7pm-11pm (two-hour package). ANNEX, The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Make a date at Shang Palace’s supper club
Popular Chinese restaurant Shang Palace is running tasty supper club until the end of the month so if you’re looking to feast on some exciting and traditional Chinese flavours this weekend, now’s your chance. The menu features a daily rotation of three types of appetisers, soup, four types of main course dishes, and a dessert and highlights include barbecued honey chicken sausages, deep fried wontons, and clay pot-cooked chicken thigh or beef ribs.
Dhs178 (soft drinks) Dhs228 (house drinks). Daily 6pm-9pm. Until Tue Aug 31. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri Hotel, Al Dhafra (02 509 8555).
Friday
Bag a bargain at The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Savvy shopper? At The Galleria Al Maryah Island, bargain hunters can get more bang for their buck this weekend with discounts of up to 75 percent lopped off. That’s just good maths. The massive summer sale is running until Tuesday August 31 so don’t miss out.
Until Tue Aug 31. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, thegalleria.ae/summersale.
Brunch and splash at one of the capital’s best brunches
It’s the weekend and brunch is in the building – or in this case just outside it, next to a refreshingly chilled body of H20. If you’re looking to keep cool this weekend (because let’s face it, it’s scorchio at the moment), then book yourself a spot at one of these top Abu Dhabi brunches that include pool access. (Just don’t end up looking like a Drumstick Lolly because you forgot to pack the sun cream…).
Check out a new airplane-themed restaurant
How much do you love airplane food? Lots? Transit Terminal Food is a new arrival on the capital’s food scene. With an external façade that mimics a step towards the departures lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the interior is half check-in counter, half fuselage complete with seats, and stick-on emergency exit doors. Food is even served while you’re buckled into your chair. (And fortunately, some seats face each other so it’s not entirely a sideways conversation with your dinner date.) Menu highlights include stuffed peppers, pasta carbonara and burgers which all come marked with flags depicting their land of origin and it’s also licensed, so be sure to grab yourself a Cuban mixed drink on your visit to this globetrotting eatery.
Open daily 11am-midnight. Defence Street (02 550 0443).
Have a fun-packed day out at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Gather your family and friends and head to this massive indoor theme park for a special summer offer. You can meet all your favourite Warner Bros. characters (hi, Tom and Jerry) as well as ride some crazy-scary rides – and what’s even better is there’s a UAE residents’ family and friends deal. Buy a four-person pass and you’ll pay for only three tickets – so your fourth member is free. More than four of you going? You’ll get 25 percent off regular prices for the extra tickets. That sounds cool to us.
Prices vary. Open daily noon-8pm. Until Fri Dec 31. Yas Island, wbworldabudhabi.com.
Saturday
Don’t miss out on all the Premier League action
The Premier League is back – and Abu Dhabi has plenty of match-winning sports bars at which to catch every goal. There are some mega matches happening this Saturday – Liverpool vs. Burnley, Aston Villa vs. Newcastle, Crystal Palace vs. Brentford, Leeds United vs. Everton, Man City vs. Norwich City, and Brighton vs. Watford – and we’ve rounded up the best places in Abu Dhabi to watch the all the action unfold, here.
End the weekend with Dhs23 drinks at Hawksbill’s Saadiyat Social
Every Saturday throughout August, Hawksbill on Saadiyat Island is serving up one of the sweetest happy hours in the city. And when we say happy hour, we mean full-on toothy grin happy hour. You can end the weekend in style with Dhs23 house drinks (pints included) between 6pm and 10pm.
Sat 6pm-10pm. Until Tue Aug 31. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (02 499 8100).
Let your imagination go wild at Art House Café
If you’re looking for a fun – and wallet-friendly – art activity to try out this weekend, you should definitely try painting your own plate at Art House Café. For just Dhs20 you’ll get your own plate, paints, and brushes and the cool Al Bateen café is also a great place to have a coffee or snack while you read, talk about art or chill out with friends.
Dhs20. Open daily 9am-midnight. Al Bateen (02 666 0175).
