Thursday 30
Splash out! Flips flops at the ready – Abu Dhabi City Golf Club’s first pool party kicks off at 8pm and goes on until late. DJs will be playing ’80s and ’90s hits.
The Pool, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club (02 445 9600)
Throw some shapes: The cool out-of-town bar that is Left Bank is sure to be packed out for the ‘Defected in the House’ night, when DJ Cliff Townley’s mixing skills will be accompanied by a live vocal set from singer Rae. Dhs50, ladies and cabin crew free.
9pm-3.30pm. Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Ben Al Jessran (02 558 1680)
Feel the Rush: After a summer hiatus for a spot of refurbishment, the achingly cool Rush Bar at Yas Hotel reopens tonight. In the bar, which overlooks the F1 racetrack, Swedish spinner DJ Orange Muse will be on the ones-and-twos for some smooth house vibes. Free entry, free drinks until 10pm. 8pm-late.
Yas Hotel, Yas Island (02 656 0000)
Art yourself up: Haven’t you heard? There’s a fantastic new art exhibition in town. Larry Gagosian’s RSTW opened on September 22, and it’ll run until January. Featuring Andy Warhol and his pop art cronies, this is undoubtedly the best art show to hit the capital since the Picasso exhibition of 2008.
Free entry. 10am-8pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 406 1400)
Friday 1
See the king of trance music: There’s a Dutchman on the decks in Abu Dhabi tonight, and he just so happens to be the hottest trance star in the world. In typically industrious fashion, Tiësto will be spinning tunes from fifth studio album Kaleidoscope for six whole hours, from 10pm.
Adnec, tickets from www.timeouttickets.com
Tee up: It turns out golf is a fantastic game for families (see page 63, if you’re not convinced), and to make sure you all get your game on, the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club is training kids up to be the new Tiger Woods (only with better family values). It’s hugely popular, too, so get in there while you can.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Mushrif, www.adcitygolf.ae (02 445 9600)
Go Gallic: Stephane Pompougnac began his career as a waiter at Paris’s Hotel Costes, before working his way onto the decks and becoming the super-elegant celebrity hangout’s in-house DJ. He’ll be showing his mixing skills at Yacht Club tonight, (tunes not cocktails).
Free entry. 8pm-late. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (800 423 3463)
Shout ‘howzat!’ India take on Australia in the first test match of the hotly anticipated cricket series. Ricky Ponting’s team’s performance here will be a good indication of whether they have the mettle to beat England in November’s Ashes series.
Neosports, 9am
Saturday 2
Learn to paint: As part of the workshop programme running alongside the Fanaan group’s excellent ‘Up Close’ exhibition, South African artist Elwin Buchel delivers a two-hour painting master class. Head along for tips on technique and vital brushwork pointers.
10am-noon. National Theatre, 17th Street, Muroor
Shout at millionaires: For those looking to stay abreast of this weekend’s big Premier League fixtures, your best bet is to bag a screen-side table at Heroes and settle in for the day. Games to get you screaming at the TV today include Sunderland against Man United and Tottenham v Aston Villa.
Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6132)
Party Polynesian-style: Finish off the weekend by dancing to a live Cuban band, drinking super-strong fruity concoctions and feasting on a four-course á la carte lunch at Trader Vic’s.
Trader Vic’s, Beach Rotana (02 697 9000)
Watch hard-hitting drama: As proven with his thought-provoking inner city TV series, The Wire, David Simon is one of the most brilliant screenwriters out there. His new show, Treme, is set in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Showseries, 9pm
Sunday 3
Go digital: Sumayyah Al Suwaidi is a pioneering Emirati digital artist who creates cartoon-like images that she claims are a means of escape from the chaos of urban life. Make your own mind up with her new exhibition at Ghaf Gallery that opens today.
Free entry. Sat-Thurs 9am-1pm, 5pm-9pm. Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 665 5332)
Bowl a strike: Get down to the Emirates Bowling Village’s between 10am and 5pm to take advantage of their happy hour rates – Dhs10 per person for one game. Bargain.
Emirates Bowling Village, Marina Mall (02 6332336)
Gorge yourself on baked goods: A newly refurbished Cinnabon has just reopened in Abu Dhabi Mall. You know it’s bad for you, but follow the sugary scent up to level two and stuff yourself full of delicious cinnamon buns.
Cinnabon, Abu Dhabi Mall (056 691 5449)
Attack the flab: Body attack is a high-energy cardiovascular routine that will push you to the limits of exhaustion. See if you can take the pace at this morning class at Abu Dhabi Country Club.
Dhs40. 9.30am-10.30am. Al Saada Street, Al Mushrif (02 657 7777)
Monday 4
Smell delicious: New York-based perfume brand Le Labo has just opened in Marina Mall, so pop down to try out some of the unusual perfumes and leave smelling ultra-fragrant.
Le Labo, Marina Mall (050 375 8001)
Train for a marathon: Run with an aim with the Original Fitness Company. Run Fitness sessions start at 6am at the Corniche, so get ready to hit the road early, people!
Dhs50. 6am. Abu Dhabi Corniche next to Spinney’s Khalidiyah (02 406 9404)
Land some punches: Every Monday at the Beach Rotana’s gym, men and women can be seen strapping on head guards and gloves and throwing some vicious left hooks into punch pads. Seconds out and fight!
Dhs35 for members, Dhs40 for non-members, 6.30pm, Beach Club, Tourist Club Area (02 697 9302)
Teachers’ Night: Having to deal with all those unruly brats and then mark mountains of homework makes teaching a tough old business. Forget about the stresses of the schoolyard at this weekly event, where educational staff will be given two free drinks.
Free, 8pm, Cubes, One To One Hotel, Salam Street (02 495 2000)
Tuesday 5
Go retro: Modern music’s all right, but you can’t beat a bit of Abba. If you share these sentiments, head along to Flashback night at Eight Bar, where they’ll be playing hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s all night.
Free entry, 8pm-late, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Ben Al Jessran (02 558 1988)
Be happy: As well as being a smart, modern pub, Coopers Bar also boasts the longest happy hour period in the whole UAE. A visit to this popular nightspot means you can enjoy 12 whopping hours with 50 per cent off selected drinks seven days a week.
Noon-midnight, Park Rotana Hotel, near Khalifa Park, Al Maqtaa (02 657 3333)
Push yourself hard: There’s no room for the weak or puny at the Ultimate Circuit Classes at Zayed Sports City. If you’ve been living the UAE high life too much, then this extra tough fitness class will expose you as the flabby layabout you’ve truly become. Dhs500 per month.
Various times, Zayed Sports City (056 691 3820)
Contemporary Romanian Art: Since the fall of Communism, Romania’s been quietly building up one of the liveliest art scenes in Europe. Find out for yourself at this fascinating display of striking paintings and sculptures.
Free. 9am-7pm. Salwa Zeiden Gallery, near Khalidiyah Gardens, Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 666 9656)
Wednesday 6
Groove to ‘Club Tropicana’ …and other dubious hits from the decade fashion forgot, at Stills Bar’s new night ‘Still love the ’80s?’ Get that shell suit out of the back of the wardrobe. You know you want to!
Free. 8pm-late. Stills Bar, Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3053)
Discover Pop Art: Check out a film screening about the New York art scene 1940-70, featuring painters such as Andy Warhol, and Willem de Kooning.
Free. 7pm-9pm. RSTW Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadyat Island (02 406 1400)
Get classical: The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra flies in from Amsterdam to kick off the Abu Dhabi Classics classical music concert series. The ensemble – recently voted the best orchestra in the world – will be playing pieces by Gustav Mahler and Richard Wagner.
Dhs195-Dhs495. 8pm. Emirates Palace Auditorium, Ras Al Akhdar (800 4699)
Have a fish supper: Wednesday night is all about the fish at Flavours international restaurant. Tuck into a cornucopia of seafood treats at this huge buffet spread.
Dhs235. Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Corniche (02 677 3333)
