Looking for a beachside bar where you can unwind under the palm trees? Angela Beitz has found it at The St. Regis.
If you are after a spot that embodies the feeling of being on the beach on a resort holiday then we recommend a visit to Turquoiz. TOAD popped over one Thursday afternoon after work.
Service
Turquoiz is located right on the beachfront of the hotel, with a pretty amazing view of Saadiyat Beach. You could easily while away a few hours at this casual bar with the friendly staff and lots of atmosphere.
The service can be a little slow but, to be fair, on the night we visited it was very busy and the terrace was full. A great point of difference here is that every day just before sunset, one of the very talented bar staff opens a bottle of bubbly for all the guests with a sword (otherwise known as sabering). This is an impressive sight and is a really nice way to start the afternoon – it makes guests feel pretty special.
Drinks are beach-themed classics with a twist, like Cuban blends made with strawberries instead of lime and bubbly with syrup on ice. The drinks list is extensive with loads of chilled brews and icy grapes to try. It was getting a little bit warm out on the terrace when we visited but this certainly didn’t stop us from having a good night and the cool drinks went down a treat.
Décor and atmosphere
We opted to sit on the terrace because it gives the best view but you can also take a seat down on the beach or inside if you wish. The venue is large but it has a warm feeling to it and gives off a casual vibe while the clientele and décor are chic.
The interior is beach-themed with a thatched roof, comfy bar stools and relaxed seating. One thing we feel they have done really well is the small touches of turquoise colour through the restaurant in the glasses, cushions and menus.
The bar hosts a Be Turquoiz night every Friday with guest DJs and fire throwers, and ladies can receive free bubbly from 10pm. These evenings are really popular so make sure that you get there early if you want to grab a seat. They serve shisha on the terrace which is also popular and perfect if you want to relax with friends.
Food
You’ll find the food at Turquoiz is predominantly seafood and designed to be shared. We order the calamari, mini fish and chips, marinated olives and sliders. They also bring us some delightful black pepper crisps to much on while we are waiting on our food. The calamari is perfectly cooked with a light and crispy batter served with a delicious aioli. The mini fish and chips is super cute and probably our favourite dish. Beautifully cooked pieces of lightly battered fish come served with homemade chips, which are perfection, along with mushy peas and tartare sauce. The olives are also very nice, the mix of Kalamata, Spanish and big fat green olives are perfect to nibble on during the night, and the sliders are also great, served as two mini burgers on a plate.
Pros
Fabulous drinks, very friendly service and nice food to choose from. You will love the beach view and the relaxed feel of Turquoiz.
Cons
As we said, service can be a little slow but the whole atmosphere is quite relaxed so it’s best just to go with it.
Open daily for drinks noon-2.30am. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island (02 498 8008).
