Thursday 26
Grab a bargain: If you’re looking for some clothes at a discounted price rush into Al Wahda Mall to grab the last days of the Next sale, where you will find up to 50 per cent off selected items. Stock up on great tees and trousers.
Al Wahda Mall, (02 443 7070)
Watch Tiger Woods: The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is finally upon us, so take the chance to watch some golfing legends compete at the Abu Dhabi Golf Course. Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy and of course the infamous Tiger Woods plus many more will be out on the greens. Head down for an exciting and sporty day in the sunshine.
Tickets available at www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
Enjoy cricket: Now is the time to watch some cricket in the capital. Head on out to Zayed Cricket Stadium to catch the second day of the five day test match between England and Pakistan. You are in for some quality cricket and a great day out in the sun.
Zayed Cricket Stadium (055 959 0598)
Be Aussie: Australians living in Abu Dhabi, or anyone wanting to be an Aussie for the day, will love the atmosphere of The Tavern Pub at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. Celebrate the day with special traditional food such as chiko rolls, loaf of damper, zucchini and vegetable slices, apricot chicken and lamingtons. A large variety of typical Australian brews will also be available.
The Tavern Pub, Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Friday 27
Splash about: Let the little ones enjoy kids swimming lessons in a popular scenic location at Le Méridien. While the kids are learning you can enjoy the other facilities on offer.
Le Méridien, Tourist Club (050 782 1337)
Have a BBQ: If you feel like a bbq this weekend but are also too lazy to haul all the bbq stuff over to the nearest park you can enjoy a delicious grill without breaking your back on the Stills terrace this Friday. There’ll be music to boot, courtesy of their resident DJ. Prices start from Dhs130 per person.
Stills Bar & Brasserie, Crowne Plaza (02 656 3066)
Have brunch for under Dhs100: Yes, it’s possible! And you don’t have to settle for a dump either. In fact, this below Dhs100 brunch is at one of Abu Dhabi’s coolest, most Arty joints. Café Arabia’s special brunch will cost you Dhs65 and you’ll get a selection of Arabic and continental foods, although it does not include drinks.
Café Arabia (02 643 9699)
Celebrate Oz Day: Head to Le Méridien where they are inviting you to celebrate this special occasion. An Australian barbecue as well as Aussie pies, snags, prawns and other assorted Australian goodies will be the order of the day. Also the day will include a special appearance by the Village Viggles band. The festivities kick off at 1pm.
Le Méridien, Tourist Club, (02 644 6666)
Saturday 28
Kick start your fitness: Crowne Plaza, Abu Dhabi have started a new fitness class called Kick and Jab, which is just the workout to start the new year off on the right track. This workout will have your muscles in shape in no time. The workout specifically targets problem areas such as abs, thighs and hips.
6-9pm, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6200)
Welcome the dragon: Did you know that each dish in the traditional Chinese New Year meal has a symbolic meaning which conveys wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year? Well you do now, and if you head over to Hakkasan you can appreciate it all the better. With a menu put together solely for the occasion, and at Dhs468 per person, this is one to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Hakkasan, Emirates Palace (02 690 7999)
Learn ballet: For kids who are looking to get some serious cool moves down pat, ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop and drama are all available at an affordable price per class at Expressions of Dance and Drama.
ADCB Building, Al Muroor (02 448 2778)
Get some new shoes: Isn’t it time to replace those tired old soles? And if not, a new pair of shoes can give you a certain special lift. Head over to Aldo to take advantage of the last day of their sale with 25-60 per cent off selected items.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7070)
Sunday 29
Get some new threads: Stock up on some new clothes at a discounted price and get more bang for your buck at Riva. Enjoy 25-50 per cent off selected items including tees, jeans, trousers and sweaters.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7070)
Rise to a challenge: Want to do something extraordinary this summer? Sign up for Gulf 4 Good’s Wild Wall challenge and you’ll have your holiday sorted, and your good deed for the year accounted for. All funds raised go to a children’s charity in China.
www.gulf4good.org (04 368 0222)
Play basketball: If you’ve got an aspiring basketball star or two handing around the house, send them on down to the Abu Dhabi Country Club where lessons are available. Kids can learn the rules of the game along with important foot and hand skills.
Abu Dhabi Country Club (02 657 7777)
Try some tapas: Yeah, we all hate Sundays. That’s why we want to shake the hand of whoever it was that had the bright idea to cheer us all up with the Sunday special tapas at Pearls and Caviar. From Dhs195 per person they’ve got an exciting menu of unlimited tapas that will have you feeling like your usual perky self by the end of dinner.
Pearls and Caviar, Shangri-La (02 509 8888)
Monday 30
Take focus: Whether you’re a total beginner or a closet photographer who wants to revive a dying hobby, here’s the answer to your creative itch: Gulf Photo Plus is an online community that hold regular courses and workshops for photographers of all levels.
www.gulfphotoplus.com (04 360 2365)
Catch a spa deal: The Health Club’s January promotion is almost over, and if you haven’t already, you’ve gotta catch it! They’re offerring a 50min treatment at Dhs185 (instead of Dhs250) or an 80min treatment at Dhs250 (instead of Dhs290). Quote ‘January promotion’ when you’re making the booking.
Health Club, Sheraton Hotel & Resort. (02 697 0272)
Get musical: Always wanted to learn a musical instrument but never got arround to it? This here is a sign! The International Music Institute offer private tuition in everything from piano to drums. Prices start at Dhs90 for 30mins.
International Music Institute (02 621 1949)
Take a quiz: For a different take on a night out, off-islanders should head out to Stars ‘n’ Bars on Yas Island for their quiz nights happening every Monday from 8-10pm.
Stars ‘n’ Bars, Yas Island (02 565 0101)
Tuesday 31
Earn brownie points: Is your brownie-point list looking a bit sad? Well you know what they say about keeping good company. Why not join the Volunteer in Abu Dhabi Facebook group, where selfless do-gooders round up more selfless do-gooders to do good around town.
www.volunteer-inabudhabi.com (04 452 1106)
Enjoy ladies night: Girls looking for a fun night out should hot foot it to Zenith on a Tuesday night where they can enjoy free house drinks all evening from 9pm-3am.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Hotel Resort, Al Markaziyah (02 677 3333)
Go back in time: If you weren’t born in the 80s, doubtless, you’ve lived through them. And though the fashion was atrocious, the music was great. Now to help you relive it all, the Belgian Café terrace goes back in time with DJ Fadi every Tuesday from 7pm.
Belgian Café, InterContinental (02 666 6888)
Pamper yourself: Book a treatment at Atarmia Spa where you will be blissfully transformed in no time. Choose from a wide range of massages and facials, and surrender to the calm.
Atarmia Spa, Park Hyatt, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1107)
Wednesday, February 1
Do Asian: Put some exotic flavours in your belly at Choices, where every Wednesday night is Southeast Asia Night. From Thailand to Vietnam, they’ve got the continent covered.
Choices, Rotana, Yas Island (02 656 4169)
Have heart cake: If you want to send a note of sweet nothings to your loved one’s office, send it with a heart-shaped cake from Café Mozart. Their valentines promotion of heart-shaped cakes is running all month.
Café Mozart, Al Raha Beach Hotel (02508 05565)
Book a makeover: Sisters beauty lounge’s Valentines countdown starts today, and they’ve lined up a 14-day schedule of those must-have treatments that will have you looking your best on Valentines day. Book yourself in from now because you know how busy the salons get this time of year.
Sisters Beauty Lounge, Al Bateen (02 222 2502)
Massage your partner: Now that we’re gearing up for Valentines Day, this could be a good gift for your loved one. Sign up for a couple’s massage class at Zen the Spa, and the next time he or she is complaining of a bad back at 1am, you won’t have to make an appointment at the spa for the following day. Cost of classes start from Dhs400.
Zen the Spa, Beach Rotana (02 697 9333)
