It’s Sunday and everyone is back to the grind and daydreaming about what we’ll do with our free time this week.
There are tonnes of fantastic things to do in Abu Dhabi, and we can’t wait to get started.
If you’re looking for incredible restaurants to try and all the best activities, we’ve got you covered this week.
Interest piqued? Ready for a new week? Here are some terrific things to do that will make your week fantastic.
If you’re looking to dine out, head here for all the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
For fantastic bars to visit, click here.
If staying active is your favourite thing to do, click here for everything sport and wellbeing-related across the capital.
Looking to plan a trip? Head here for all the latest travel news and updates.
Ready for a fantastic week? Us too. Here’s everything you should do.
Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Retreat
Bavarian music, hops, and pub bites – is there anything better? If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy Oktoberfest in Abu Dhabi, Head to The Retreat, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa. The Oktoberfest celebrations are going until Saturday October 16. There you’ll find a pretzel basket, sauerkraut, German potato salad, chilli cheese krainer sausages, roast chicken, bread dumplings, schnitzel and more. Pair your food with a range of German hops and other house favourites. There’s indoor and outdoor seating available, cozy sofas, and Bavarian tunes to help create the Oktoberfest vibe. Looking for a deal? The hops menu will get you six half-pints paired with six Bavarian pub bites for Dhs200. Prost.
For more places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Abu Dhabi click here.
Until Oct 16. noon-1am. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, Khalifa City (02 616 9999).
Check out a new bar: Bambu
Are you ready for the jungle? Bambu at Cristal Hotel, downtown has officially opened its doors and it looks super cool. There you’ll find Latin American influences with a pan-Asian twist. The menu features dishes from both continents highlighting the heritage of each. Bambu is bringing the wild to Abu Dhabi with a selection of mixed drinks crafted by a team of mixologists. We have our eye on the Tiki selection for starters. On Mondays you’ll find a live DJ – Rob Forrest, and on Fridays there is a Fiesta brunch from 1pm to 4pm and 6pm 9pm starting from Dhs250 with resident DJs Froid and Mikaela-Anna currently taking care of the weekly soundtrack. It’s a cool new restaurant in Abu Dhabi to check out – one of our favourite things.
To go around the world in nine Abu Dhabi bars click here.
Open daily noon-3am. Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi, Downtown (02 652 0000).
Discover distinct offerings at Abu Dhabi Collectors Week
This festival is taking place until Saturday October 16 and includes awesome collectors’ experiences, pop-ups, product launches, and more. Whether you’re into collectors’ items, sneakers, or cool brand events, there’s something for everyone with this event. It also includes the region’s first creativity and design festival – Semi Permanent Middle East, which is happening this weekend from Thursday October 14 to Saturday October 16 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Semi Permanent includes serious entertainment (hello to Grammy award-winning producer and DJ, Mark Ronson, DJ Refik Anadol, and Dana Hourani, for starters). Get your tickets this week and gear up for an awesome lineup of events and entertainment.
Until Oct 16. Various locations Abu Dhabi. retailabudhabi.ae/collectors-week
Do the sausage challenge at Cooper’s Bar and Restaurant
Calling all speed-eaters. There’s a new food challenge at Cooper’s and you’ve got to try it. Two metres of juicy sausages, honey mustard, sweet relish, and caramelised onions, sound good? The challenge: finish all two metres in 15 minutes and your meal is free. If you can’t quite manage that speed, the price is Dhs190. The challenge is on until Sunday October 31. Let’s go.
Still hungry? Here are five pies you must try in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs190. Until Oct 31. Park Rotana, Al Salam Street (02 657 3325).
Eat Italian food at Mamsha Al Saadiyat
Love nothing more than pasta and pizza? If you’re looking for a little bit of Rome in Abu Dhabi, you’re going to love this new restaurant specialising in just that. Antonia is open now at Mamsha Al Saadiyat. It promises to deliver the streets of Rome to the Arabian Gulf with “a touch of Nonna’s love.” (Our hearts are warm already). The restaurant was created with Italian authenticity and modern refinement in mind, so says the team. And it brings glamorous-retro vibes just a step away from the gorgeous Soul Beach.
For the top new restaurants in Abu Dhabi click here.
Open daily, noon-11pm. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 667 2554).
French feast at Raclette Brasserie & Cafe
Looking for something glam? How does fine French fare in the middle of Mamsha Al Saadiyat sound? Of course we’re talking about Raclette, the new French brasserie in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat island. There are so many options on the menu you’ll have to hold onto your beret. They have tonnes of options, including breakfast. Are we dining there this week? Oui.
For the trendiest foods in Abu Dhabi click here.
Open daily 9am-9.30pm. Jacques Chirac Street, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 546 2277).
Go totally sub-zero at the ice skating rink
Trying to land a triple Salchow? Want to look sub-zero levels of cool at Zayed Sports City? Okay, while the flips, turns and spins may not be possible for the beginners among us (we still use the handrail to make every stop), this is still quite literally the best place to cool off in the capital. There’s plenty of whimsy to behold as skaters twist turn and spin in circular motions across the ice. Let’s get active.
Open Sun-Wed noon-5pm and 6.30pm-6.15pm, Thu noon-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 10.15am-10.30pm. Zayed Sports City, zsc.ae (02 403 4200).
Have a picture-perfect picnic at Green Mubazzarah, Al Ain
Cooler tempertaures mean it’s time to head outdoors for some awesome things to do in Abu Dhabi in October. Have a picnic at this beautiful spot at the base of Jebel Hafeet. There’s a hot-spring, new food truck stop, walking trails and green spaces to enjoy.
For UAE beauty spots click here.
Free. Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain City.
Listen to a live DJ at ANNEX
Looking to listen to some great live tunes? ANNEX is an easy choice. This place is just unapologetically cool, and you almost feel like you’re on-trend simply by being there. Looking around at the stylish and hip people (is it cool to say hip?) that flock into Annex, it certainly makes you feel like you’re part of the in-crowd. Bop in your seat while listening to a rotating roster of DJs. We’re groovin’.
Click here for more live DJ nights in Abu Dhabi.
Thu-Fri 11pm-4am. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Take a staycation at Rosewood Abu Dhabi
It’s time for a mid-week getaway. Rosewood Abu Dhabi is well known for its yummy dining options and stunning sunset views. If you’re looking to stay at the Rosewood for more than two nights, you should check out the “More Rosewood” package, which gives you a free third night stay for every two consecutive nights you book in a suite. This offer is available until December 31, so you have plenty of time to plan your staycation. You can also try the Suite Sojourn, which gives you 35 percent on accommodation plus access to the Manor Club, Executive Lounge, with access to free breakfast and snacks throughout the day.
For more staycations click here.
Prices vary. Until Dec 31. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
Visit the new hops garden
The Green is Abu Dhabi’s biggest pop-up hops garden. It’s brand new and open for the winter season with cool things to do each day of the week. The spot is open daily, and is an open-air venue welcome to people of all ages. Sundays are for chilled music nights with DJ James Murray, Mondays have a ‘riddlers’ quiz with host Chalkie, Tuesday is bingo with James Murray, catch live music from Kevin Carey on Wednesday nights, and James McCabe on Thursdays. A brand-new hops garden, open-air venue, and live music? We’ll see you there.
For more live music coming to Abu Dhabi click here.
Open daily, Sun-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-1am. Oct 1- April 30 2022. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club @thegreenabudhabi.
