Thursday 24
Get a discount: Pop round to Hour Choice, where if you spend Dhs300, you can get up to 25 per cent off selected items. Winter’s here and you have so many events to go to, why not save a little whilst you scratch the shopping itch?
Offer ends November 26, Khalidiya Mall (02 635 4227).
Have scientific fun: Science is as fun and fascinating as it is vital. If you don’t believe us, get yourself down to the Corniche where there’ll be all sorts of workshops, shows and exciting experiments for children of all ages.
Corniche, West Plaza, www.abudhabisciencefestival.ae/en
Salute the Ministry of Sound: With a fresh mix of classic sounds from Studio 54 and the latest dance music, Housexy at Pearls Bar is a perfect night out for those of you that like some deep disco in your smooth house music. The event starts at 7pm, and doesn’t stop until 3am, ideal for the uncompromising party animal in you.
Shangri-La hotel, Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8777).
Catch a play: Theater Mitu has done something rather brave. This group has taken the American Classic ‘Death of a Salesman’ and implemented elements of Japanese Noh Theatre, Thai Puppetry, and Balinese Masks. We’ve been looking forward to this one since we first heard of it, and we bet you’re curious as to how this gripping tale of quiet desperation and unsung courage will be enhanced by a haunting Far Eastern twist.
NYUAD Downtown Campus (02 628 4000).
Friday 25
Do some ice karaoke: Having trouble believing it’s winter? Do you have an inner diva that’s dying to get out? The Abu Dhabi Ice Rink has you covered by combining a quintessentially wintry pastime with everybody’s favourite way to make fools of themselves – behold: Karaoke on Ice!
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya (02 403 4200)
Inspire the decorator inside: It’s not always easy to come up with ideas when giving your house and garden a make-over, luckily the Homestyle Show is coming to the Emirates for the first time ever to help get you started. Over 120 exhibitions will be on show, so whether you’re looking for a place to buy furniture, or just want to let your imagination run wild as you dream up your perfect home, you’re sure to find something you like.
Hall 9, ADNEC, www.homestyleshows.com
Go to a pool party: Head down to Sundowner for the Hed Kandi Pool Party. It’s a perfect excuse to wear dancing shoes and a sarong at the same time. Starting at 2pm and continuing until 11pm, things can get a bit raucous, so be warned. You pay Dhs120 to get in, and get a complimentary drink.
Crowne Plaza, Yas Island (050 701 4162).
Fire some high velocity paint: Paintballing is a great way to have fun and vent your frustration without doing irreparable harm. Organise to go with some friends, or do it alone and cover complete strangers in paint, either way you’ll have a blast. Warning, friendships may be bruised.
Armed Forces Officer’s Club, Al Maqtaa, ww.caracalshooting.ae (02 441 6404).
Saturday 26
Have a picnic amidst wildlife: Who doesn’t like giraffes? They’ve got big eye-lashes, pretty patterns on their fur and long necks. If you’re also partial to picnics, then we recommend paying the Al Ain Wild life Park & Resort a visit. For a Dhs15 entry fee for adults, and Dhs5 for children, you can wonder about in 900 hectares of zoo filled with over 4,000 animals.
www.awpr.ae (03 782 8188).
Feast on Brazilian cuisine: At Chamas, this all-you-can-eat meat offer will give your stomach a challenge. People don’t give Brazilian cuisine the credit it deserves – what their BBQs lack in finesse is more than made up for with hearty deliciousness. Dhs250-500,
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888).
Teach the kids to ride: Equestrianism is good for balance and confidence – and who wouldn’t want confident kids who don’t fall over too often? At the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, your children can join group riding lessons and make some friends.
www.adec-web.com (02 445 5500).
Have a hearty pub lunch: Sometimes you don’t want to fiddle about with finger-food. Sometimes you don’t much care what it looks like as long as it tastes nice. Sometimes, you fancy a pie. For those times, there’s 3rd Avenue. With leather arm-chairs, dark wooden furniture, a comically unnecessary fireplace and a level of Britishness bordering on pastiche.
Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel Abu Dhabi, www.starwoodhotels.com (02 666 6220).
Sunday 27
See some flamingos: What if we told you there was a way to stay fit and enjoy some of the natural beauty of the island hiding right under our noses, without spending a dirham? Head down the Eastern Ring Road, park somewhere overlooking the Mangrove Natural Reserve, and have a walk along the water-front. Get there before dusk and there’s a good chance you’ll see flamingos.
Pamper your nails: It’s hard to keep your nails looking fabulous, why not get someone else to do it for you? Nail It promise a luxurious mani experience.
Nail It, Corniche Khalidiya, Intersection of Zayed the First Street and 32 Street Burooj Tower (02 650 5560).
Donate a brick: The Good Heart Organisation is fundraising to build a school for children with special needs. For every Dhs5 you donate, the school is one brick closer to being completed.
Special Care Centre, www.donateabrick.org (02 641 8418)
Eat Dim Sum: Between Noon and 2.30pm (Sunday to Thursday), Shang Palace is offering unlimited servings of twelve different types of dim sum, noodles and rice for Dhs88. Not only is that incredibly reasonable, but it also sounds like a challenge. If you’re in the mood for some good Chinese food, this will hit the spot.
Shangri-La Hotel Qarat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 509 8888).
Monday 28
Enter a quiz: Want a chance to prove you’re smarter than you look? Check out the Quiz Night at Heroes from 8pm until 10.30pm. It’s free to enter, and has plenty of prizes.
Heroes, Crowne Plaza (02 621 0000).
Get your kids sailing: Now that the weather’s nicer, why not get the little ones on a sailing boat? The Abu Dhabi International Sailing School offers two and a half hour classes at Dhs180, for children over eight years old. If your kids like it, eight lessons can be had for a reasonable Dhs900.
Opposite Marina Mall, next to Havana Café, Ras Al Akhdar (02 681 3446).
Change lives: At The One, you can buy a funky wrist wrap made from recycled jeans, with all proceeds going to The Onederworld – a sustainable village community programme in Kenya. Every wrist wrap sold will help make the lives of underprivileged children that much better, so buy generously.
The One, Al Khalidiya (02 681 6500).
Enjoy a chocy coffee: With its large windows over-looking where all that chocolat-ey magic happens, the Chocolate Gallery is a great place to go for a coffee morning. And we’ll wager it’s not just your kids that will be plastered to that glass making sheep’s-eyes at the yummy stuff. Try not to be too silly now.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333).
Tuesday 29
Absorb some art: Artscape Emirati is an evening of diverse performance art from around the UAE. There will be oud music, hip-hop, traditional poetry and mradeed. Also expect a sand-art performance and a short film screening of a short film. Entry is free.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, www.artsabudhabi.ae/en
Have a beverage served right: The way a brew is poured can make all the difference, and the folks at the Belgian Café will serve unlimited beverages for Dhs220, and unlimited Mussels. Oh yeah.
Belgian Café, InterContinenal Hotel (02 666 6888).
Enjoy a steak: Feeling especially ravenous, so that nothing but a slab of tender red meat will do the job? Treat yourself to a steak dinner at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill. It’s not cheap, but between the decor and their succulent offerings, you’ll get your money’s worth.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333).
Shop till you drop: Even with the wealth of shopping outlets available in Abu Dhabi, for some there can never be too many. With this philosophy in mind, Style Studio has opened a new branch in Mushrif Mall. With a wide range of fashionable clothes and accessories on offer. Go nuts.
Mushrif Mall (02 658 6705).
Wednesday 30
Get fit: The Crowne Plaza Fitness Centre is offering classes with a combination of aerobics, hip hop and pilates that they’ve named ‘Fit for Life’. If you want to get fit, but are bored of the regular routines then on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7pm to 8pm, this should be just the ticket.
Crowne Plaza (02 621 0000).
Listen to a DJ: Michael Canitrot is the official DJ of the Cannes Film Festival and brand sound-designer for Dior, D&G and Versace. He has performed in clubs from Paris, to Miami, to Tokyo and now, he’s in little old Abu Dhabi. Go and listen.
The Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888).
Eat some Thai: Taste of Thailand is one of the best places to enjoy Thai cuisine. With a friendly atmosphere, and cheerfully oriental decor, you’ll definitely leave happier than you arrived.
Al Ain Palace Hotel (02 679 4777).
Celebrate a birthday: Spas are like good friends who are always there to help you feel like a million bucks, and just like friends, spas have birthdays. ESPA at Yas Viceroy is offering a truly spectacular package to commemorate their first year. At Dhs650 per person, it’s not cheap, but you will be saving over Dhs200 from the normal asking price, and who can put a price on feeling amazing?
ESPA, Yas Viceroy (02 656 0862).
