Whether you want to dance into the night or check out a big sports game on TV there is a nightspot in Abu Dhabi perfect for your needs.
Back street pubs and high class cocktail lounges, let your mood decide.
Time Out picks 10 of the best bars in Abu Dhabi.
Escape Lounge: Use of the word lounge here isn’t to describe the venue in its traditional sense. It is more of a suggestion. Pop along to this open air setting, plop yourself into a beanbag and then grab a shisha pipe and gaze at the stars. A live DJ spins relaxing tunes in the background while you chew on bar snacks.
Best for: Drinking under the stars
Sho Cho: Trendy furnishings and splashes of neon set the scene at this stylish outdoor bar (there is indoor seating too, complete with another bar, when the weather is hot). A DJ plays chill-out music on Thursday and 80s tunes on Friday, while you sip on a cocktail and munch on some of the finest sushi and tempura in town.
Best for: Cocktails
Heroes: A scruffy sports bar that’s popular with expats. The atmosphere is excellent and female-friendly. The band plays anything from Nirvana to Aerosmith, while the DJ entertains the crowd with plenty of pop classics.
Best for: Watching the big match
Pearls & Caviar: Pearls & Caviar is a sophisticated tale of two venues. Downstairs at Caviar restaurant you enjoy seafood and Beluga (if you’ve got the cash), while upstairs, the rooftop bar Pearls concocts some devilish cocktails in a stylish white setting.
Best for: Sophisticated sips
Eight Bar: Eight Bar is a stylish operation indeed, with long brown sofas and white highback chairs, and a huge glowing shelf of bottles illuminating the bar. As you might expect, the cocktails here are excellent, and there’s an inspired choice of snacks and appetisers – our personal favourite is the trio of mini burgers.
Best for: Quality bar snacks
PJ O Reilly’s: Faux Irish pub that has regular DJs; including an excellent DJ on a Friday afternoon. Enjoy the happy hour(s) daily between noon-7pm and 10pm-11pm. Sports screened on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Best for: Old-fashioned pub vibe
Rock Bottom: Not the classiest venue but high on the fun factor, Rock Bottom’s has a regular DJ and band, Human Traffic, as well as drink promotions for the hardcore. The DJ plays hip hop and R&B. One of the few places in town that is always busy.
Best for: Unpretentious clubbing
Yacht Club: One of the city’s newest venues, the Yacht Club is a mix of bar, restaurant and lounge. Take a seat on the terrace, sip a cocktail and gaze over the marina. Dress code is elegant – collar, no jeans – so you probably want to imagine you actually own a yacht and dress accordingly.
Best for: Hanging with the jet set
Trader Vics: A huge variety of rum cocktails, some are very strong and lack sophistication, but they do come in fun, mug-sized glasses. Popular venue at the weekend.
Best for: Parties
Havana Bar: Up-market cigar bar that serves up excellent Amaretto sours and mojitos. Dreadful singers play every night except Saturdays.
Best for: Puffing on a cigar
