It’s amazing how quickly you remember you live in a desert when the temperature starts to rise in the summer months. It gets hot in Abu Dhabi, really hot, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a good time.
Indoors takes over from the great outdoors in the summer months and there are loads of cool and inviting venues where you can have a great time and wait for this whole hot-weather thing to blow over.
Let the sun do its business and keep cool with these great indoor bars.
Dragon’s Tooth
This stylish bar was arguably the best kept secret in the city and it’s still a gem that we like to think only cool people know about. Find the right corridor inside Dai Pai Dong and you’ll enter the relaxed bar where you can get a great selection of drinks and act like you’re part of a secret club.
Open Sat-Wed 6pm-1am; Thu-Fri 6pm-2am. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
La Cava
It’s seriously awesome in this basement hangout. It’s sleek, low-key and dimly lit, making it ideal for the summer months. With European vibes and an extensive variety of grape on offer you can easily whittle away a few hours here without a moment’s thought.
Open daily 6pm-1am. Rosewood Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
Ray’s Bar
We love the Abu Dhabi skyline and at this trendy bar you can enjoy incredible views and get some great snaps too. It’s classy, and with good music and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s a joy to sit by the window and watch the world go by while relaxing with friends.
Open daily 5pm-3am. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, West Corniche (02 811 5555).
Buddha-Bar Beach
This beach bar has quickly become one of the most fashionable places to be in the city. With it’s picturesque setting and great vibe, not to mention a raft of international DJs regularly getting behind the decks, it’s hard to ignore this stylish venue when organising a night out. While the outdoor section captures most people’s attention, the chic indoor section is the place to be in the summer.
Open Sat-Wed noon-1am, Thu & Fri noon-2am. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8888).
Hamilton’s Gastropub
It’s still a newcomer in the city but Hamilton’s has become a great destination for a night out. The casual bar is minimalist and modern in design and decked out with copper fittings, high ceilings and a bunch of barrels, too. Plus there’s live music on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday nights, a free pool table and some great deals on drinks throughout the week. It’s really a great place to hide away from the sun.
Open Sun-Thus 4pm-2am, Fri noon-2am & Sat 11am-2am. Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0000).
The Warehouse
There’s a lot to like about this modern bar including the fact that you walk into the venue through a cave-like tunnel. It’s a sleek and stylish with bags of character and a relaxed atmosphere, whether you’re there for a bite or a drink. Plus, being away from the busyness of Downtown it’s an ideal destination to settle down, relax and hide from the heat.
Open 4pm-1am. Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 307 5591).
Library Bar
The Abu Dhabi EDITION is still new enough that its great venues remain something of a secret and the Library is the perfect example. The cool venue has the feel of a country estate drawing room that happens to have a great bar in it. It’s hip, on-trend and a perfect place for keeping out of the heat during the warmer months of the year.
Open Sat-Wed 5pm-1am, Thu & Fri 5pm-2am. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
