Things to do in Abu Dhabi: 12 great events to check out this weekend

Party with Deep Crates Cartel

ANNEX at the Abu Dhabi EDITION is one of our favourite places to party, and it is about to launch an exciting new monthly event. Club night Deep Crates Cartel is already a big hit up the road in Dubai, and now it will be hosting a huge party in the capital every month. Playing a mix of cool music including hip hop, funk, house, disco, soul and everything in between, the launch party will be held on Friday September 27. The huge bash will feature sets from DJ Shortkut of the Beat Junkies, and UAE-based DJ Lobito Brigante. Entry for the party is totally free, and you can get a spot on the guest list by emailing RSVP@deepcratescartel.com. We’ll see you on the dance floor.

Free. Fri Sep 27 9pm-3am. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (056 992 2305).

Get into Ferrari World for Dhs100

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is always a lot of fun, but have you ever been along at night? While it might feel a little like a Scooby Doo episode being in a theme park after dark, don’t worry, it’s not spooky, and if you want to meet Scooby and the gang that’s a whole other theme park. Not been to Ferrari World before and want to try out some of the 37 great rides and attractions? This could be the ideal opportunity. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has brought back its sundowner offer to give thrill seekers the chance to come along and have some fun for less. From September 12 until October 12, guests can visit the park and have go on the rides for the reduced entry fee of Dhs100. The offer is only valid on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 5pm and 8pm, but considering one of the park’s attractions is the world’s fastest roller coaster then you’ll have plenty of time to see what’s on offer. You’ll have to book online in advance here but we reckon it’s worth doing.

Dhs100. Thu-Sat 5pm-8pm. Thu-Sat. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (600 511 115).

Feast at an exciting pop-up restaurant

There are countless amazing places to dine out in Abu Dhabi, but it’s still always exciting when a pop-up restaurant arrives in town. The next culinary establishment to visit the capital is the The Little Viet Kitchen, a Vietnamese restaurant based in Islington in London. The three-day pop up will take place from September 26 to 28 at Hoi An at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi. Founder chef Thuy Pham will be cooking up some of her best creations every evening, and joining her in the kitchen will be her mother, who played a huge role in inspiring her to open the business. The dishes on offer include passion fruit sea bass ceviche, duck and watermelon salad, king prawn banh cuon rice balls, beef pho and Vietnamese doughnuts.Having grown up in a small village in the south of Vietnam, all of Thuy’s dishes are full of authentic flavours and fresh ingredients. You can try all the dishes on the exclusive pop-up dinner menu for Dhs448, and Dhs598 with beverages.

Dhs448 (food), Dhs598 (beverages). Sep 26-28 6pm-midnight. Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, Bain Al Jessrain (02 509 8555).

Have a laugh with a special comedy show

The Laughter Factory is gearing up for a special tour of the region featuring one of the stand-out comedy troupes from Edinburgh Fringe Festival. August’s month-long annual comedy bash in Scotland is regarded as one of the world’s leading festivals to celebrate the art of rib-tickling, and one of the UK’s top improv troupes will is coming to the capital. The Noise Next Door have sold out 11 shows at Edinburgh Fringe, and will have to rely on their wits and off-the-cuff comedy when they bring to life classic comedy TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Taking place on Friday September 27, the troupe will perform at Park Rotana. Tickets will set you back Dhs180 for each show and we’re sure it will be a really funny night.

Dhs180. Sep 25-28. Various locations, www.thelaughterfactory.com.

Enjoy a rooftop BBQ

We love a night brunch here in Abu Dhabi, and when it involves rooftop views and barbecued meats, it’s just about the best thing in the world. So we’re thrilled to hear the Friday BraaiBQ at Hytes at the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is returning on Friday September 27. The South African braai features unlimited amounts of flame-grilled boerewors and American brisket, served against amazing views of Downtown Abu Dhabi. The new menu includes dishes from outside of South Africa too, including cuts of meat from the USA and Australia. You can also get involved and have a go at braaing yourself, or simply sit back and let the experts do their thing. Packages are Dhs229 for soft drinks and Dhs289 for house beverages, and from next weekend it will be on every Friday from 7pm until 10.30pm. We can’t wait to dig in.

Dhs229 (soft drinks), Dhs289 (house beverages). From Sep 27. Fri 7pm-10.30pm. Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah (02 818 4888).

Get a free drink at McGettigan’s

Rugby-mania has Abu Dhabi by storm as the 2019 edition of the Rugby World Cup is underway. Top bars and pubs across the city will be showing all the matches live from Japan but if you watch matches at McGettigan’s you can take advantage of some great offers and amazing prizes. The venue is offering a free beverage to everyone wearing their country’s rugby jersey during the matches, as well as extended happy hours to cover all the rugby games. But it doesn’t end there. McGettigan’s is also giving one lucky rugby fan the chance to win tickets to the Rugby World Cup final in Japan – including flights and accommodation. All you need to do is purchase three drinks over three matches to enter (and enter as many times as you want) and the winner will be chosen on Sunday October 20. That’s a pretty good deal and you could find yourself in Japan watching matches live pretty soon.

Try some of the newest brunches in town

Brunch season is back and there are new offerings popping up in Abu Dhabi left, right and centre. Looking for something new for a Friday or Saturday brunch? Then you’re in luck because two new brunches have launched at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. Starting from Friday September 27 the Chef’s Brunch will launch at Giornotte offering freshly prepared dishes made to order by the on-site chefs. The new brunch also features a range of vegan options and there’s a dedicated children’s area to keep the little ones entertained. Packages start from Dhs299 per person and will run every Friday from 1pm to 4pm. Want more? You’ve got it. Launching on Saturday September 28, the Street Food brunch will take over Li Jiang restaurant. Celebrating the culture and vibrant dishes found on the streets across Asia, the brunch will showcase everything from Korean barbecue and Peking duck to sushi and noodle dishes. Starting from Dhs215 per person for a three-hour package, the new evening brunch sounds like a nice way to end the weekend taking place from 5pm-11pm.

From Dhs215 (street food) and Dhs299 (chefs brunch). Friday 1pm-4pm, Saturday 5pm-11pm. Ritz-Carlton Au Dhabi, Grand Canal (02 818 8888).

See an amazing exhibition for free

Showcasing local talent, a new macro photography exhibition is set to open in Abu Dhabi on September 16. The Unseen, will display the work of Emirati photographer Yousef Al Habshi’s with a collection of 27 images. The selection of images focus mainly on insects including defense against predators and displays a range of close up imagery that usually isn’t visible to the human eye. Yousef will also be meeting photography fans to discuss the challenges of macro photography, how to take images like his and what macro photography can reveal about the natural world.

Free. Until October 28. Daily 9am-8pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 657 5800).

Try a brand new menu by the beach

If you’re like us then you love nothing more than enjoying a meal outdoors, watching the sun rise or set, while spending time with friends and family. The Beach House at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is an idyllic place to enjoy a meal on the pretty terrace or rooftop. With panoramic views over Saadiyat beach, the waterside venue has launched a new menu of healthy dishes for you to try. Showcasing dishes based on Mediterranean and Levantine flavours, the ingredients used in the new menu are organic and locally produced where possible, so it’s environmentally friendly too. Breakfast dishes are based around a variety of superfoods including chia seeds, berries, kale and avocado. Lunch and dinner features a range of Mediterranean specialities including salads, soups, seafood dishes, risotto with Porcini mushrooms, fritto miso and more.

Open daily noon-midnight. The Beach House, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1234).

Join the sushi eating challenge

Are you a champion sushi eater? Think you can handle 2kg of sushi rolls in one sitting? This challenge is for you. Sumo Sushi & Bento is running The Grand Yokozuna Challenge and if you’re proud of your appetite, it’s time to sign up. The challenge involves eating 2kh of sushi rolls. Think that sounds easy? Well you have to do it in 15 minutes. And if you complete it – you get it free. If you fail it’ll set you back Dhs79. The competition kicks off on Wednesday (September 25) and runs until Thursday October 24 at locations in the UAE. The yokozuna sushi is stuffed with avocado, crispy shrimp tempura, crab sticks and tamago. If you do complete it, you’ll be entered into the final competition – where the top five contestants will be go head-to-head for a grand prize of Dhs2,000. All five finalists will win a sushi tray of their choice for a year. The grand final will take place on November 8, with the location yet to be confirmed.

Dhs79 (if you lose). Sep 25-Oct 24. Masdar City, www.sumosushibento.com.

Try a limited edition burger

Fan of the All Blacks, rugby or just burgers in general? Burger Fuel is cooking up a very strange but fitting burger just in time for the Rugby World Cup 2019 for all rugby fans to try. The brand-new ‘Neon Blackout’, inspired by Japanese gourmet and a mix of Kiwi ‘ferocity’, is coming to the popular burger chain restaurant, but be warned, it’s comes in limited supply. The burger includes crispy, panko crumbed fried chicken coated in Yum-Yum Mayo and topped with traditional Tonkatsu sauce. Burger Fuel has also added fresh soba noodle slaw with a sweet and spicy ginger-sesame dressing, all served between ‘All-Blackened’ charcoal sesame buns, with a wedge of lemon on the side. Think of it like a nightclub, except you eat it. That’s not all, as whoever gets the burger will also get spud fries completely for free. The Neon Blackout burger is priced at Dhs39 – not bad considering the free fries.

Dhs39 (free spud fries). From Sat Sep 21. Until stocks last. Various locations, www.burgerfuel.com/uae (800 23835).