Thursday 5
Party over a racetrack: Rush at The Yas Hotel is a bar that’s actually built into a bridge spanning the Yas Marina Circuit track. Although you won’t be able to spot any motorsports racing below you tonight, Smoove, one of the UK’s biggest R&B nights, is more than a good enough reason to head along.
Dhs50 before midnight, Dhs100 after, ladies and airline crew free before midnight. From 9pm. Rush, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0000)
Gorge yourself on seafood: Elements all-you-can-eat diner at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is no more, and has been rebranded as CuiScene. Tonight offers a good chance to sample what the change of name entails, when a giant seafood spread will on offer for you to demolish.
Dhs199, Dhs295 with house beverages. 7pm-11.30pm. CuiScene, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333)
Hear some slick house beats: Sick of all the R&B and hip hop that seems to pervade almost every single nightclub in the city? Perhaps Eight Bar at Souk Qaryat Al Beri should be your destination tonight, where the DJs will be spinning funky and commercial house for your pleasure.
Entry is free, but by reservation only by emailing reservations@eightabudhabi.com. From 8pm. Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1988)
Dig your sombrero out the closet: On this day, some 149 years ago, Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín routed an invading French army at the Battle of Puebla. The Mexicans, never being ones to pass up the opportunity for a party, have celebrated this day ever since with the Cinco de Mayo festival, which involves a day-long food and drink binge. Head along to El Sombrero at the Sheraton, where they’re marking the festival with an all-you-can eat Mexican feast.
Dhs165. From 7pm. El Sombrero, Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Friday 6
Get down to Snoop: Noticed how your friends have started to wear their baseball caps askew, flash strange hand signals at each other, and add the suffix ‘izzle’ during conversation? They’re probably getting ready for rap legend Snoop Dogg’s Middle Eastern debut. Will the smooth-voiced MC, whose hits include ‘Doggy Dogg World’ and ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ tone down his risqué lyrics, though?
Dhs250-Dhs670. Doors open 5.30pm. Yas Arena. www.timeouttickets.com
Brunch out on Yas: Thinking of starting early for the Snoop concert? Try this new brunch at The Yas Hotel. The Yas Big Brunch takes place at Origins, one of the city’s smartest all day diners, and, for a bit of extra cash, you can enjoy hotel pool access.
Dhs180 with soft drinks, Dhs200 with bubbly, Dhs100 extra for pool access. From 12.30pm. Origins, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0000)
Escape the hip hop: Maybe you think rap music’s nothing more than some gold-chain sporting bloke talking over someone else’s record about how much money he has If so, Snoop Dogg’s concert is the last thing you’ll be attending this evening. Instead try Relax@12, where DJ Stu Magoo will be spinning some smooth house tunes.
Free. From 9pm. Relax@12, Aloft Abu Dhabi, Adnec (02 654 5138)
Chill out by a pool: Fancy a relaxed afternoon, chilling by the pool, sipping on a cool one and watching the sun set? Try the Sundowner session at Crowne Plaza Yas Island, where DJ Cheriana will be mixing some smooth vibes to help you unwind from the stresses of the working week.
Free. Over 21s only. 4pm-7pm. Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3000)
Saturday 7
Hum along to some movie themes: We bid adieu to another Abu Dhabi Classics season with the Broadway to Hollywood concert, in which the BBC Concert Orchestra will be joined by the Abu Dhabi Community Choir to perform some well-known pieces from movies and musicals. Even those who are ignorant about classical music should be able to recognise a few of these numbers.
Dhs120-Dhs650. 8pm. Emirates Palace. www.timeouttickets.com
Stock up on discounted pashminas: Should your pashminas be looking threadbare, or you really need something to cover that boring tile floor, it might be worth checking out the new Kani Home store in Souk at Central Market. The shop specialises in exotic fashion jewellery, kaftans, silk Kashmiri carpets and pashminas and, what’s more, has a 75 per cent discount on goods until May 13.
Shop 34, Ground Floor, Souk at Central Market (02 658 8701)
Be amazed by Emirati films: Slowly but surely, Abu Dhabi is going about creating its own thriving film industry. Need proof? Head along to the Souk at Central Market where the region’s best up and coming directors will be showcasing their talents.
Free. From 1pm-10pm. Souk at Central Market (800 25327)
Let your tots blast each other: If your children have been particularly well behaved, then perhaps they deserve a special outing this weekend. Why not reward their good behaviour by giving them carte blanche to fire rubber bullets at each other at Strike Zone.
Dhs45 for 15 minutes. 10am-midnight. Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7654)
Sunday 8
Scream at a ref: With Arsenal dropping by the wayside, the English Premier League is a two horse race between Man United and Chelsea. They clash tonight, in a game that could well decide who’s crowned champion. Catch the action at PJ O’Reilly’s at Le Royal Méridien.
7pm. Abu Dhabi Sports
Croon along to some Whitney: You know you’re a better singer than Aretha Franklin, Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey put together, but the world doesn’t. Put your vocal chords to the test at Stars ’n’ Bars’ new karaoke night this evening.
9pm-11.30pm, Stars ’n’ Bars, Yas Marina & Yacht Club, Yas Island (02 565 0101)
Show your mother some love: It’s Mother’s Day across large parts of the globe today. If your mum’s visiting, you could take her to Falcon Terrace buffet at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, where if there’s three or more of you, mum’ll eat for free.
Dhs125 per person. From 6.30pm. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl (02 558 8990)
Keep trim while pregnant: Although intensive workouts are out the question while you’re expecting, there’s no reason you can’t do a little gentle exercise. The aqua natal classes at Abu Dhabi Golf Club are a good way to reduce pregnancy related discomfort.
Dhs75 for members, Dhs100 for non-members. 9am and 6pm. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl (02 558 8990)
Monday 9
Attend a concert: Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s amphitheatre has just been finished on Reem Island and will be holding its first public event tonight. The concert – which marks Europe Day – will see a classical music trio perform some gems by Elgar, Liszt and Wagner.
Dhs100, Dhs20 for students. 7.30pm. Paris Sorbonne University Amphitheatre. Reem Island, www.timeouttickets.com
Turn your child into a linguistic master: Cuneiform is one of the earliest known forms of written expression. If you think your child might want to learn about the ancient code, there’s a free workshop at Manarat al Saadiyat today.
Free, although prior booking is essential. 4pm-5pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 657 0000)
Chomp on fries in mayonnaise: At Belgian Café tonight you can enjoy a three-course set meal for Dhs120, or two courses for Dhs100. If you like mussels, fries with mayonnaise and waffles, this is the place for you.
5pm-1pm. Belgian Cafe, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888)
Demolish some shellfish: At Stills Bar tonight, there’s an all you can eat mussels promotion for just Dhs99.
7pm-midnight. Stills Bar, Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3000)
Tuesday 10
Have a mid-week LOL-fest: Chuckle, guffaw, snigger and chortle until your sides split at the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi’s monthly comedy night. Funsters Ian Coppinger, Mark Maier and Chris McCausland have been tasked with brightening up your otherwise mundane life.
Dhs130. 9pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, www.timeouttickets.com
Watch yet more nitro-burning car chases: Vin Diesel, The Rock (sorry, Dwayne Johnson) and co are back for a fifth instalment of The Fast and the Furious series with more velocity-based action. But as the film’s just called Fast Five, does this mean they’re no longer furious? Find out when the movie goes on general release this week.
Splash out on a high-end handbag: Want to make your friends green with envy with a handbag made by one of the world’s best designers? Try Michael Kors’ new store at Abu Dhabi Mall, which stocks bright bags, as well as dresses and watches.
First Floor, Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 4858)
Look years younger: Should your skin be suffering in the desert heat, book yourself a moisturising facial at Eden Spa this month, and they’ll throw in a sea essential satin scrub as well.
Dhs625 for 110 minutes. Eden Spa, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi (02 697 4354)
Wednesday 11
See the genius of Hassan Sharif: For more than 30 years, Hassan Sharif has been creating art out of everyday items. His first Abu Dhabi solo show is currently on next door to Qasr Al Hosn and definitely falls into the ‘not to be missed’ category.
Free. 10am-10pm. Qasr Al Hosn, Al Nasr Street (02 621 5300)
Jet out to the Med: Should the strains of city life be pushing you to breaking point, it’s about time you escaped. Cyprus has some stunning scenery, beautiful seas and is only three hours’ flight away. Etihad Holidays is offering two nights on the isle in May from only Dhs2,395.
www.etihadholidays.com
Make friends with the weighing scales: If you and the bathroom scales have become unacquainted with each other recently because of your massive weight gain, how about trying one of Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s power bar lessons, where you’ll use cardio bar bells to burn fat and tone up muscles. Dhs30 for members,
Dhs50 for non-members. 8.30am. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl (02 558 8990)
Glimpse at some endangered wildlife: The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency has just launched a website to raise awareness about the UAE’s threatened species. Pictures of all the animals are also now on show at Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort.
www.arkive.org/uae/en
