Ready for the weekend? We definitely are. And if you’re looking for all the very best things to do in Abu Dhabi, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you want to watch a movie outside, laze by a pool, or check out a new bar or restaurant, we’ve got an activity with your name on it.
Here are the very best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
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Thursday
Catch a movie outside at Umm Al Emarat Park
The weather is cooling off (finally) and you know what that means. The whole city is headed outside, and one of our favourite cinema experiences is back. Cinema in the Park at Umm Al Emarat Park has a fun line-up of films, plus oragami stations, camel rides, animal feeding and more. On the docket you’ll find kid-friendly films such as Moana, Frozen 2, The Incredibles, Big Hero 6, Harry Potter, and more. Movies will be screened from Thursday to Saturday each week at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. There will also be an extra fan-chosen movie on Tuesdays at 5.30pm. Vote for your favourite film on the park’s social media accounts.
Oct 1-Apr 30, 8am-midnight. Umm Al Emarat Park, Mushrif, ummalemaratpark.ae
Read more about Cinema in the Park here.
Hit happy hour at Yas Marina
Looking for the ultimate way to unwind after a long work-week? Aquarium has a cracking happy hour deal on weekdays from noon to 7pm. Get 50 percent off selected beverages while you sip from the terrace, or take things inside where tanks of tropical fish create a cool underwater vibe.
Sun-Thu noon-7pm. Yas Marina, Yas Island (050 696 9357).
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Sample the brand-new eats at Black Tap
Featuring colossal burgers and shakes, Black Tap is one of the latest openings at Mamsha Al Saadiyat and we’re planning to race there after work this weekend. Head there and you’ll get a swoon-worthy view of Soul Beach to boot. The cult New York burger and shake joint is tempting the city’s foodies with internet-breaking CrazyShake milkshakes, crispy fries and colossal patties. This Black Tap is also the first licensed one in the capital, and arrives with its famed list of craft hops and flair for mixed drinks. The ideal destination this weekend.
Licensed, open noon-midnight. Mamsha Al Saadiyat (02 446 5128).
Read more about Black Tap opening here.
Friday
Chow down at the upbeat ANNEX brunch
When it comes to a weekend brunch, it doesn’t get much better than Annex. The venue is a hotbed for all things cool, drawing you into Al Bateen for an unforgettable night. The Amapiano brunch happens every Friday and features the latest music craze from South Africa. You can expect a mix of deep house, jazz and lounge music alongside free-flowing beverages and bites for three hours from 5pm to 11pm for Dhs288 per person. Friday brunch with lively tunes? Who can say no?
Dhs288. Fri, 5pm-11pm. Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen annexabudhabi.com (02 418 2432).
Listen to live music at Heroes Abu Dhabi
Love Heroes? Us too. With a busy, buzzing atmosphere, convenient location downtown, and reasonable prices, it seems like the whole city goes here for a much-needed unwind after work. Need another reason to visit this weekend? There’s live music every Monday to Friday with DJ Charlieboy, and live singing on Thursday and Friday evenings by Nicola. Casual pub, old-fashioned comfort food, bar snacks, sports, and live music most nights? You know we’ll be there.
Mon-Fri (DJ Charlieboy), Thu-Fri (Nicola). Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (02 616 6132).
Sit outside on the terrace at Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar
Looking for a chill place to enjoy great views of the city outside? Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar is back for the winter with two brick ovens, one rooftop, and tonnes of great food and drink. This spot is serving us rustic outdoor and garden-themed vibes, and is a chill spot to grab a bite or a drink. Every dish is made from the brick ovens: wood-fired sourdough, slow-cooked ribeye, four cheese pizza, salmon on a cedar plank, and oven-baked s’mores are all up for grabs. There’s also a variety of vegan options. Choose from a range of grapes, craft hops, and signature mixed drinks and be sure to make it there for sunset this weekend.
Open daily, 5pm-midnight; Brick Rooftop Kitchen, Aloft Abu Dhabi (052 837 0047).
Try BMX and skateboarding at Circuit X Abu Dhabi
Looking for a cool place to skate? With more quarter pipes, bowls, ledges and rails than one can ask for, Circuit X is the go-to for skateboarding in Abu Dhabi. Bring your mates or go it alone with one of the park’s many packages. You can rent a skateboard or scooter if you don’t have your own, and this uber cool skatepark is sure to no. BMXers are also largely welcome, with dedicated hours every Sunday and Monday. Practice your freestyling skills on the various ramps and bowls waiting for you.
Open Sun-Wed 5pm-11pm, Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri 9am-midnight, Sat 3pm-midnight. Al Hudayriat Island, Al Hidayriyyat (02 691 0302).
Saturday
Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Retreat
Bavarian music, a special a la carte menu, hops and pub bites are what’s happening at The Retreat, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa. The Oktoberfest celebrations are going until Saturday October 16, and you can expect to find a pretzel basket, sauerkraut, German potato salad, chilli cheese krainer sausages, roast chicken, bread dumplings, schnitzel, and licensed favourites. Pair your food with a range of German hops and other house favourites. There will be indoor and outdoor seating available, cozy sofas, and Bavarian music to help create the Oktoberfest vibe. The special hops menu will get you six half-pints paired with six Bavarian pub bites for Dhs200.
Open daily, noon-1am. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, Khalifa City (02 616 9999).
Enjoy a day in the sun at Soul Beach, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
The temperatures in the capital are steadily dropping, and you know what that means. It’s time for a beach day. Head to Soul Beach at Mamsha Al Saadiyat for a beach day and you’ll find 1 km of pristine, manicured sands, 400 sun loungers with parasols, and a 400m swimming zone in the ocean. Weekday access costs Dhs50 per person and on weekends it’s Dhs75. With your entry fee you’ll get access to a sun lounger and parasol included. Afterwards you’ll definitely want to sample one of the brilliant new restaurants there. Black Tap, Antonia, and Ten 11 Beach are the latest on our radar.
Open daily, 6am-7pm. Mamsha Al Saadiyat (050 929 0936).
Have a Japanese cheesecake at Keki Café
Love to café hop? Looking for a cute little place to have your cuppa? Anyone who is part of the café scene in Abu Dhabi can tell you that Al Bateen is absolutely crammed with cool spots to sip your hot beverage of choice. Keki is a small Japanese bakery that’s easy to miss, but you definitely want to make a stop at next time you’re near Al Bateen Park. Step inside for breakfast and you’ll immediately be hit with the incredible smell of pastries mid-bake. It’s an intimate space, with just a few places to sit and a long display case filled with croissants, quiches, pastries, and Japanese cheesecakes, which you should definitely try while you’re there.
Read the full Time Out Abu Dhabi review of Keki Café here.
Unlicensed. Open daily 9am-1am. Al Bateen (02 309 3999).
For more top things to do in Abu Dhabi, click here.
