Organise a party at home!
Restaurants can be very expensive on February 14, so if you want to have fun with your mates you could have an anti-Valentine’s party at home. And there are plenty of events companies who can help if you really want to host a big old bash. Events R Us are based in Abu Dhabi and can cater for parties of ten people or bigger. Flying Elephant are based in Dubai but will travel to Abu Dhabi as well. Need some cakes for your bash? Try Abu Dhabi-based companies Lorenzo Chocolate & Patisserie or cupcake makers Passion For Taste.
Events R Us, www.events-r-us.net (02 645 6605). Flying Elephant, www.flyingelephantuae.com (04 347 9170). Lorenzo Chocolate & Patisserie, Al Nasr Street (02 631 0303). Passion For Taste; www.passionfortaste.com (050 997 8744).
Have a great night out
Traffic Light Party at Heroes
This pub in the Crowne Plaza is hosting an anti-Valentine’s bash with live music from International Playboys. It’s the same drill as usual at this regular night specifically tailored for people not loved up. Go dressed in red if you’re in a relationship, yellow if it’s complicated or green if you’re single.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi (02 616 6132).
Have a warble
Take your mates out for an evening of singing at new Korean restaurant Sura in the Cristal Salam. They have two karaoke rooms for hire this Valentine’s Day, for you and 12 mates. Just don’t go and spoil it all by singing ‘I Will Survive’ at the top of your voices.
Dhs150 for the room, Cristal Salam, dining.abudhabi@cristalhospitality.com (02 659 7715).
No table for two!
Spanish tapas bar Bravo are holding a Friends’ Night Out party on February 14. They’re offering an à la carte tapas menu, free flowing Spanish beverages and live music for Valentine’s humbugs everywhere.
Dhs155 per person, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (02 677 3333).
Watch the footy
Man’s first love is often football. And the next round of the Champions League starts up next week and NRG at Le Méridien are showing the matches on the many big screens that line the walls of the bar. They have an extended happy hour as well.
February 13, 7pm-10pm. Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area (02 644 6666).
Head to a carnival
B-Lounge are hosting a Latin-themed party on Valentine’s Day. This open air party hopes to capture the spirit of Rio de Janeiro with samba dancers and an extensive blends menu.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah (02 677 3333).
Singles night
Want to avoid soppy couples next week? If you’re single and proud, head to Vertical in the Cristal Salam for some commercial pop tunes and plenty of drinks.
February 14, 9pm-midnight. Cristal Salam, dining.abudhabi@cristalhospitality.com (02 659 7712).
Dance to hip hop
Y-Bar on Yas Island has a ladies’ night on February 13, so you can forget about flowers and chocolates and instead dance the night away to the latest hip hop, soul and R&B tunes being spun by DJ Cliff Townley. You and the girls get complimentary drinks all night.
8pm-noon, Yas Rotana (055 780 0086).
Visit Stills
Girls! Head to Yas Island with your mates for free selected blends and DJ Chris Jackson playing a mix of pop and house music for one of their ladies’ nights.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island (02 656 3053).
Not for girls
Men! Rejoice! You CAN get a cheap drink in this city. Every Wednesday, including February 13, is Just NOT Ladies Night at Stars ’N’ Bars, meaning fellas can get selected beverages for Dhs15 between 8pm-midnight.
Yas Marina and Yacht Club, Yas Island (02 565 0101).
Go back in time
The Tavern is holding a ’90s night this Valentine’s Day, with live music from The Chavela Duo (who play classic rock and pop, reggae or jazz/soul), along with four drinks for Dhs90 and British pub grub.
Noon-2.30am. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah (02 677 3333).
Get sporty
Take in a match
Abu Dhabi’s very own Al Wahda are at home to Kalba on February 15, kicking off at 8pm. If you’re really desperate to escape the smoochy crowds on Valentine’s Day and live in Al Ain, you can go and see the city’s football stars play Al Dhafra on February 14.
Kick-off is 5.35pm. www.proleague.ae.
Go shooting
There’s probably nothing quite so unromantic as target practise. The Caracal Shooting Club has several ranges where you can improve your aim at targets ten, 15 and 25 metres away. They have a large selection of firearms, including Walther GSP sports pistols, handguns and rifles.
Sat-Thu noon-10pm, Friday 2pm-10pm www.caracalsc.ae (02 441 6404).
Try go karting
Yas Island’s KartZone is the perfect way to have an adrenalined-fuelled Valentine’s Day with your mates. Beginners are welcome and the karts reach a top speed of 70kmph. And you won’t see one single red rose. If you’re keen to try a bigger car, they also do Dhs1,000 courses on how to control a sports car while oversteering, at their drift school. Karting, Tuesday February 12.
Drift School Dhs110 for adults, www.yasmarinacircuit.com (02 659 9800).
Get covered in paint
Head to Al Forsan in Khalifa City, who do a selection of themed paintball events. You can take part in the WWII Pacific Island Zone, which is designed to look like a war torn village with grass huts, fox holes and a watch tower. Or the Wild West Zone, which even includes a jailhouse and a bank!
Al Forsan, Khalifa City, info@alforsan.com, www.alforsan.com (02 556 8555).
