Thursday 11
Party in a new super-club: Abu Dhabi’s nightlife scene is improving all the time, yet it still only has a handful of decent nightclubs. That’s why we’re properly excitied about the launch of Allure on Yas Island. The swanky super-club opens tonight, with local DJs taking to the decks, followed by a number of world-famous spinners at other nights throughout the F1 weekend.
Free entry. Doors open 10am. Yas Island. For info email allure@cipriani.com (050 596 9543)
Wet your whistle for free: Ladies nights aren’t exactly in short supply in Abu Dhabi, but you’ll be hard-pushed to find one on a Thursday, which is precisely when most of us could do with a gratis glassful. Pop over to Yas Island, however, and the fairer sex can kick off their weekend with free-flowing bubbly and mixed beverages at Stills. Between.
8pm-midnight. Stills Bar, Crowne Plaza, Yas Island (02 656 3053)
See a legendary DJ: Jose Padilla’s a hero on the White Isle of Ibiza for his chillout sunset sessions at various beach bars. He’ll be making another welcome appearance at the Yacht Club to launch his new CD and play some more sedate beats.
Free. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Enjoy free fun on the beach: It’s the second night of the Beats on the Beach party on the Corniche, and should you fancy joining the throngs of music fans, tonight you’ll be in for some reggae stylings from Sean Paul, old-school ska from The Beat and Arabic pop from Lebanese star Melhem Zein.
Free. 7.15pm-12.35am. Corniche
Friday 12
Nod your head to Kanye: Jay Z fans may disagree, but Kanye West is probably the biggest hip hop star on the planet. He’ll be hitting the stage after the F1 practice sessions to bust some rhymes.
Dhs1,800 for a three-day F1 ticket. 8pm. Yas Arena, www.yasalam.ae
View some impressive Arabian art: Opening the Doors is a varied exhibition of works from the best Middle Eastern artists. It’s a fascinating glimpse of the wealth of talent that this part of the world has produced. Free.
10am-10pm. Gallery One, Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar (02 690 9000)
See some singers by the sea: It’s the penultimate day of Beats on the Beach and if you’ve yet to get in on the freebie pop extravaganza, now’s the time to don your flip flops and head on down. Sophie Ellis Bextor is the main crowd-puller, with Fabolous and Fares Karam taking the party into the night.
Free. 7.15pm-12.35am. Corniche
Try the tastes of Angola: Chef Rui Sa will be manning the stoves at the Park Rotana’s Ginger restaurant to showcase the cuisines of the south western African country. Expect chicken in peanut and coconut sauces to figure large in his dishes.
Dhs115 for an open buffet. Park Rotana, Al Maqtaa (02 657 3333)
Saturday 13
Have an outdoor barbecue: If you feel the need to get away from all this F1-related craziness, head down to the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club for a car-free, alfresco family barbecue on the lawn outside Hawksbill restaurant. As well as being able to stuff yourself with charred meats, your little angels will be able to enjoy face painting, kids’ golf and a bouncy castle.
Dhs80. Noon-5pm. Hawksbill, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island (02 499 8107)
See the Sugababes: There might be something of a revolving door policy as far as membership of the Sugababes goes, but the latest line-up will no doubt put on a good show nonetheless. The English girl group will be belting out their top hits and putting on a fine pop show.
Dhs800. Longitude Bar, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0700)
Mosh it up with Linkin Park: Putting the market-friendly image and faux-angsty lyrics aside for a moment, you’ve got to admit that the shouty six-piece know how to pen a catchy rock anthem. They’ve been sending capacity crowds mental with hits such as ‘Crawling’ and ‘Somewhere I Belong’ for more than a decade and now, like it or not, it’s Abu Dhabi’s turn.
Dhs1,800. 8pm. Yas Arena www.yasalam.ae
Get street smart: High street heavyweight and home of cut-price fashion H&M is now in residence at Abu Dhabi Mall. Head on down and take advantage of the opening week offers.
Abu Dhabi Mall, Tourist Club Area (02 645 4858)
Sunday 14
Put your records on: Songstress Corinne Bailey Rae will be hitting the stage for an acoustic session at Longitude Bar, The Yas Hotel. The award-winning British singer-songwriter has been compared to Aretha Franklin, so get ready for a soulful evening.
Longitude Bar, Yas Hotel (02 656 0700)
Gasp at the world’s fastest sport: It’s the biggest weekend of the year for motorsport fans, and all eyes are on Abu Dhabi as the 2010 Formula One season reaches a thrilling climax at Yas Marina Circuit. And no matter who’s spraying the rosewater come the chequered flag, you can guarantee the city will be talking about this one for months.
Dhs1,800. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, www.yasmarinacircuit.com (02 446 0384)
Play by Aussie rules: Are you an avid watcher of Neighbours? Ever fancied hugging a koala or throwing a shrimp on the barbie? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then Australian Night is for you. Get down and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and Aussie drinks.
Cooper’s, Park Rotana (02 657 3333)
Treat yourself to some pampering: Zari Spa offers up a range of massages, as well as reflexology, body wraps and facials, so you can get pampered from head to toe.
Open daily 9am-9pm. Sheikh Zayed The Second Street, Al Manhal (02 617 9150)
Monday 15
Shop till you drop: Head down to the Eid Al Adha show to check out the woven garments, abayas, silks and Kashmere shawls as well as paintings and artifacts. Bring a stuffed wallet and leave with some unique pieces.
4pm-midnight Adnec Hall 3 (02 444 6900)
Get crafty: Pay a visit to Abu Dhabi Ladies Club where you can take a variety of classes, including painting on silk, glass engraving, fashion design and flower arranging. Sorry gents, this one’s just for the girls. Courses of eight lessons: Dhs400 members, Dhs520 non-members.
Open Mon-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 2pm-10pm. Corninche Street, Ras Al Akhdar, www.adlc.ae (02 666 2228).
Get your house in order: Make the most of your environment with a little expert advice in the art of feng shui – you’ll have your qi flowing in no time.
Classical Feng Shui, www.fengshuiresearchcentre-uae.com (050 646 1417)
Hit the wall: Get fit and have some fun with a round of squash. Hire a court and get some practice in, or book a spot of coaching so you can beat that wall into submission.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road East, Al Markaziyah (02 697 0272).
Tuesday 16
Shake that thing: Shimmy and shake your way to washboard abs with this popular belly dancing class. Great for coordination, improving rhythm and, of course, toning up your core muscles.
Dhs35-40. 7.30pm-8.30pm. Beach Club Rotana
Catch a classy covers band: Well-dressed, crowd-pleasing house band The International Playboys are doing their thing tonight at Heroes. Expect to hear some tight renditions of your favourite toe-tapping indie hits, interspersed with one or two of the boys’ own tracks.
Free. From 10pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 621 0000)
Take the plunge: Swim with the fishes in the waters across the Emirates with the Abu Dhabi Sub Aqua Club. Al Mina Zayed.
Tourist Club Area, www.abudhabisubaqua.com (02 673 1111)
Enjoy a free drink: It may only be Tuesday, but that’s no reason to shun a good night out. Ladies can head down to Étoiles to enjoy some free beverages while DJ Enzo brings the noise.
Tuesday 11pm-3.30am. Emirates Palace Hotel, Ras Al Akhdar (02 690 7999)
Wednesday 17
See some local art: Today’s your last chance to see Dropping Lines, a well-received exhibition of contemporary Emirati art featuring some of the region’s most experimental creatives.
Free. Salwa Zeidan Gallery (02 666 9656)
Eat Surf ’n’ Turf: Get stuck into a delicious steak and seafood buffet at Jing Asia. And if you keep the receipt, you get a free drink at Stills’ ’80s night afterwards. Can’t say fairer than that.
Jing Asia, Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3053)
Get a free designer handbag: If you spend Dhs600 or more on beauty and skin care products at Clinique this week, you can pick up a free silk scarf and clutch bag, designed by fashion designer Aiisha Ramadan. Available in selected Clinique outlets across town.
Get a discounted ’do: New hairdressers Glamour Hair Salon are offering a 15 per cent discount for first time customers so for bargain hair treatments, cuts and colours head down to the Corniche for some cheap pampering. Manicures and pedicures are also on offer.
Glamour Salon (02 626 3002)
