Are you ready for the weekend in Abu Dhabi?
We definitely are, and you’d better hang onto your hat because there are tonnes of incredible things to do in the capital.
From unusual (and delicious) dining experiences that you need to try, to a comedy show that everyone’s been waiting for, to the city’s first dark dining experience – the city is buzzing.
Read on for the very best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
For more things to do in Abu Dhabi click here.
For restaurants to visit click here.
For bars click here.
For sporting things to do in Abu Dhabi click here.
For staycations click here.
For pool day deals click here.
Thursday
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Fill your face with Social’s exquisite menu
We have to admit: this is one of the most unusually placed restaurants we’ve been to in the capital (in the middle of a parking lot, surrounded by apartment buildings) but for some reason, it really works. And you might expect such a small and quirky place to focus more on experience than cuisine, but not so. The food is fantastic.
Unlicensed. Sat-Wed noon-midnight; Thu-Fri noon-1am. socialuae.com (02 309 0080).
For the full Time Out Abu Dhabi review of Social click here.
Rest up with a staycation at The Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Want a staycation that is bursting with super offers? Hit up The Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. You’ll get a night in a deluxe guestroom with breakfast and dinner for two guests for Dhs700 – and kids under 12 stay for free. Plump for the Dhs800 bed and breakfast junior suite, and you will get breakfast for two plus 50 percent off a second room for friends or family. Interest piqued? If you choose the bed, breakfast and brunch superior guestroom package for Dhs995, you’ll get a free brunch in Nahaam for two, free brekkie and a house beverage. The deal also includes early check-in at noon, 20 percent discount off on Conrad Spa treatments, 20 percent discount on food and beverages and private beach access with up to 30 percent discount on water sports. What are you waiting for?
Prices vary. Until Sep 30. Etihad Towers, West Corniche (02 811 5888).
Friday
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Dine in the dark at Bab al Qasr on the Abu Dhabi Corniche
Have you ever eaten in pitch darkness? We’re talking your waiter needs night-vision goggles darkness. That’s right, dining in the dark has arrived in Abu Dhabi. Bab Al Qasr Hotel in Al Bateen has launched a dark dining experience that goes from 8pm to 10pm from Monday to Friday. It will set you back Dhs249 per person for a three-course set menu that can be customised to any diet. The experience will be open to diners 12 years and older, and requires a reservation in advance. A new type of food experience? You know we’re in.
Dhs249. Mon-Fri, 8pm-10pm. Starting Sep 15. Bab Al Qasr, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi (056 992 2078).
Laugh until your sides hurt with Russell Peters
Ready to fill your weekend with laughter? If you haven’t already heard, Russell Peters, a darling on the Netflix comedy scene is making his first trip back to the UAE stage for one night in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Peters is known for his witty observations on race and culture, and Rolling Stone named him as one of the best 50 comics of all time. You can expect to have more than a few giggles at this comedy gig coming to Abu Dhabi on Friday September 17. Sounds like a great weekend activity.
From Dhs195. Fri Sep 17, 8.30pm. Etihad Area, Yas Island, etihadarena.ae.
Score a bicycle kick and hire a football pitch at Erth
Love a kick around? Looking for something sporting to do this weekend? Take your pick from an A/C-cooled air dome, outdoor grass pitch, cages and indoor pitches at this mightily impressive sporting complex. There’s something to suit every footballing crowd and with referee services available, you can get help deciding on free-kicks, penalties and all the rest. Although arguing with your mates is part of the fun.
Times and prices vary. Al Maqta, afoc.ae.
Tear into the lively ANNEX brunch
When it comes to great places to let your hair down and enjoy an amazing night out on the weekend, it doesn’t get much better than Annex. The venue is a hotbed for the coolest kids in Abu Dhabi to be seen and have a great time. Giving you even more reasons to head along and check it out, there is also a Friday brunch to draw you into Al Bateen. The Amapiano brunch 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.
Dhs288. Fri, 5pm-11pm. Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen annexabudhabi.com (02 418 2432).
Try a taste-bud tapping Japanese cheesecake
Keki is a small Japanese bakery that’s easy to miss, but you definitely want to make a stop there the 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. The cheesecakes are all stamped with the restaurant’s name and logo. They’re so darn perfect-looking we almost regret cutting into them – but not really. Each cake is soft and fluffy, and not at all like the American version of the dish, more sponge and a whole lot less dairy upfront. For coffee and a cake in happening Al Bateen, get thee to Keki this weekend.
Unlicensed. Open daily 9am-1am. Al Bateen (02 309 3999).
Read the full Time Out Abu Dhabi review here.
Saturday
Celebrate the Lantern and Moon Festival at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri
With live music, workshops for the little ones, a lavish brunch, delightful dining and more, this weekend there’s an event you definitely don’t want to miss. Festivities start with a brunch across three of the hotel’s restaurants – Shang Palace, Hoi An and Sofra – from 1pm to 4pm. Have your buffet brunch with free-flowing drinks plus beach access. Kids can look forward to a lantern-making activity and chocolate workshop. The celebrations continue with a Mid-Autumn festival dinner at Shang Palace and Hoi An, complimented by live music available from 6pm to 11pm Dhs188 (soft) or add an additional Dhs60 to avail the house package. Kids between six and 12 eat for half price while younger children can eat for free. You can also get a box of four of Shang Palace’s mooncakes for Dhs288 until September 21. We’re sold.
Dhs188 (dinner, soft), Dhs248 (dinner, house), Dhs279 (brunch, soft), Dhs349 (brunch, house), Dhs459 (brunch, bubbly). Fri 17, 1pm-4pm, 6pm-11pm. Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, (02 509 8555).
Engage with theatre at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Looking for something artsy to do this weekend? Theatre for One: We Are Here (Nairobi Edition) is happening on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays between Wednesday September 15 and Sunday September 26. It’s a digital theatrical experience that brings together one actor and one audience member with a series of six new micro plays. Be sure to book your ticket in advance.
Free. New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island nyuad-artscenter.org (02 628 6868).
Have a night out at W Lounge’s Wet Deck
If someone says Wet Deck at W Lounge, you probably have some expectations in mind. You expect a W Lounge with banging beats, cool vibes and innovative mixed drinks (preferably with a view) and you expect a Wet Deck with trendy pool party vibes, a glam set-up and superb swimming pool. And W Abu Dhabi comes through with both those things. We’ve talked about W Lounge before (it’s ace, don’t miss it) but as the weather (slowly) starts to cool and the new season rolls around, we’re all about Wet Deck – and you should be too.
Open daily noon-11pm. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, marriott.com (02 656 0000).
Read the full Time Out Abu Dhabi review here.
