Thursday 21
Hear a man unleash a dragon: When the apocalypse comes and your great, great, great grandchildren are picking through the smouldering embers of civilisation, the discussion will eventually turn to the greatest musicians of all time. And when it does, one man’s name is guaranteed to be mentioned. He’s called Sisqo, and in the year 2000, he did a song about underwear. He’s playing at Allure tonight. Don’t you dare miss it.
Dhs100. Allure, Yas Marina & Yacht Club (050 596 9543)
Find the perfect date: This sweet and sticky fruit is so popular, it has an entire festival dedicated to it. Today is the last day of the Liwa Date Festival, so head to Al Gharbia and sample this delicious fruit while you still have the chance.
Free. www.liwadatesfestival.ae (02 657 6094)
Toast a literary icon (and a pub): West-side watering hole Hemingway’s is putting on a huge party to celebrate its 20th year, as well as the 112th birthday of its much-loved namesake. So pull on your least tatty jeans and get down there. Never read any of Ernest’s stuff? Probably not important.
Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Have a well-deserved big lunch: If you spend every Thursday lunchtime noshing a sandwich at your desk, we’re very sorry to inform you that you’re wasting your life. The end of the working week should be marked with something special, and Kababs & Kurries’ new lunchtime thali deal – offering a feast of delicately spiced Indian treats – fits the bill just about perfectly.
Dhs40-Dhs65. Kababs & Kurries, Souk at Central Market (02 628 2522)
Friday 22
Have some sporty fun: Beat the Heat at Zayed Sports City is a great place to let the little ones burn off some energy without succumbing to heat stroke. Have a go at ice skating, bowling, basketball and football, or, for the lazier, there’s darts, billiards and table tennis.
Day pass Dhs50 for under-16s, Dhs100 for adults or Dhs200 for family. www.zsc.ae
Get some roast beef: If you’re in the market for some serious meat and gravy, then head to Heroes and try their new offer: roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy for Dhs75 – they’ll even throw in a complimentary glass of house grape or draught.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 621 0000)
Try an award-winning brunch: For the city’s dining halls, scoring a Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Award is a bit like winning the lottery, sweeping the Oscars and landing a peck on the cheek from a lovely lady, all at the same time. Sofra Bld took the gong for best brunch last year – try its top class international fare today.
Dhs220. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8555)
Get a pampering present: You’ve got to give to receive, so with that in mind spend Dhs100 on pampering potions by Victoria’s Secret, Bronnley, Bodycology, Caren or IVR at Lifestyle, and you’ll get a free faux crocodile patent leather pouch in which to store your new wares.
Until August 1. Lifestyle, Dalma Mall (02 550 6111)
Saturday 23
Hit the home sales: You know how last week we were lamenting the Swedishness of all our home furnishings? Well Ikea is soon to have a part sale at its Yas Island store and we just don’t think we’re going to be able to restrain ourselves.
Ikea, Yas Island (02 493 5888)
Bag a free gift: Head to Lifestyle and stock up on make-up from a range of top brands, including Maybelline, L’Oreal and Rimmel, and you could bag yourself a free gift. Handbags, make-up brushes and cosmetics pouches are on offer, and if that’s not an excuse to spend, then we don’t know what is.
Until August 1. Lifestyle, Dalma Mall (02 550 6111)
Watch two free films: You’re lazy. It’s okay, we won’t drag you out much. Keep your slippers on and head down to the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute for one of their awesome country-themed summer screenings. Tonight’s show features SAPAK, a short film on causality, and 10-11 a film that narrates the story of the director’s uncle Mithat, his passion and deteriorating health. Turkish with English subtitle.
Free, required online registration in the events section of nyuad.nyu.edu/institute
Get paid to drink: Proving that wetting your whistle needn’t mean emptying your wallet, the folks at Holiday Inn have an unbelievable offer for you. Sit down for their Dhs125 set menu at Lemon Tree restaurant, and they’ll give you a dirham for every drink you order. Yup. Seriously.
Holiday Inn (02 657 4856)
Sunday 24
Sip a free blend: Super-cool surrounds, a laid-back vibe and a smoke-free environment make Cho Gao one of our favourite city haunts. If you’re of the female persuasion, head down after 9pm on and sample some expertly mixed blends for free.
9pm-midnight. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 616 6149)
Fine dine on the cheap: Mombasa Grille is one of the city’s most interesting fine dining restaurants, so take the chance to sample their soup ’n’ steak offer tonight, and discover what all the foodies have been talking about.
Dhs145. Mombasa Grille (02 558 1868)
See another high-speed tussle: The F1 circus rolls into the lush green forests of Germany’s Hockenheim circuit this weekend. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso is in a winning mood and took the chequered flag here last year – can he do it again?
4pm. AD Sports
Meet and golf: Like golf? Hate the hassle? Abu Dhabi Golf Club is offering a meeting and golf package for Dhs310 per person, until the end of September. For your money, you’ll get a meeting room rental, stationery and AV equipment, morning coffee break and light buffet lunch, 18 holes of championship golf and golf tournament management.
To organise, contact Louise Simpson at lsimpson@adgolfclub.com, or call 02 558 8990
Monday 25
Dance to Cuban: Head to Sho Cho tonight for a special Dhs35 offer on Cuban beverages, as well as DJ Gem playing all the latest commercial hits you love to hate. Offer is on all day, and the deck lights up after 10pm.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1117)
Get a free upgrade: Spouse’s birthday coming up? The Park Rotana will upgrade you room into a suite should you be celebrating a birthday during your stay. So if you’re in the mood for some time off this weekend rent a room during the discounted summer rates. Ladies also get discounts in the spa all summer.
Park Rotana (02 657 3333)
Chow down on British grub: Missing home? Need a nice plateful of stodgy pie, mashed potato, salty chips and gravy to make you feel better? Just pretend its cold and rainy outside and head down to Choices for a British-themed buffet.
Yas Rotana (02 656 4000)
Visit the Smurfs: Yep, you read that right. There’s a Smurf Village in Abu Dhabi, open until the end of the week, so take your little ones to meet Papa Smurf and his gang.
Adnec (02 444 0444)
Tuesday 26
Get fit: Snap up Shangri-La’s rather generous summer Health Club deal. For every two-month membership you buy, you get another month free – that includes access to the beach, pool and gym.
Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888)
See some nifty sculptures: For our money, Art in Space – a summer-long exhibition of 3D artworks from the best sculptors on Earth – is Salwa Zeidan Gallery’s best show of the year. Pay it a horizon-broadening visit today.
Free. Salwa Zeidan Gallery (02 666 9656)
Eat Spanish food: It’s Lemon Tree’s weekly Spanish night tonight, which means you can fill your boots with as much tapas and fruity drinks as you can manage. Get ready to fill your face with tatas bravas, paella and tortillas.
Lemon Tree (02 657 4858)
Do a mall crawl: With whopping great discounts at stores such as Mango, H&M and Ted Baker, it’d be positively criminal not to hit the shops and hit them hard. What better way to spend a day than heading to the mall with your girlfriends, grabbing a bite to eat and then fighting over the greatest finds and most exciting bargains? Just try not to throw any punches…
Wednesday 27
Enjoy a big slab of cheese: If your idea of a perfect evening is a wheel of fine cheese and a large glass of something grapey to wash it down with, then you’re in luck. For Dhs110, Hawksbill is offering house beverages, freshly baked bread and 30 international cheeses to sample. What are you waiting for?
Dhs110. Hawksbill, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (02 557 8000)
Cook up some Iftar-worthy grub: With Ramadan imminent, you’ll be wanting to impress your local friends with your Arabic cookery skills. Tonight’s hands-on session at Atayeb is the perfect opportunity, with a range of local favourites on the agenda.
Dhs375. The Yas Hotel (02 656 0760)
Register for Afoc’s Ramadan Tournament: Time’s running out for you to register yourself or your team in one of the many competitions that will be taking place at the Armed Forces Officers Club. So if you’re into bowling, shooting wrestling, judo or even playing PlayStation, sign up now.
AFOC (02 441 5900)
Play tennis: Don’t want to lose your edge over the summer months? You can carry on taking private tennis classes at ZSC all through the summer after the sun goes down.
Contact Sigi Meeuws, Sigi@pss-emirates.com to make a booking
