Thursday 14
Love some R&B: Rush Bar’s popular I Love R&B night is still going down a storm, so make the most of the last few weeks of partying with a night on the town.
Rush Bar, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0000)
Cook like Van Damme: Kick-boxing movie man Jean Claude Van Damme didn’t become Hollywood’s meanest action hero by chowing down on beans and cress. Discover the culinary secrets that’ll help you emulate the European powerhouse at tonight’s cooking class at Belgian Café.
InterContinental (02 666 6888)
Watch a film on water: You know what you need? You need to get soaking wet. Grab the kids and head down to Abu Dhabi Golf Club for its floating films evening. Entry is free, and cartoons and swimming pool access are included. The catch? The kids will inevitably get hungry, and you’ll need to buy them food.
Free. Sessions start at 7pm and 9pm. Reservations are not accepted, just show up and walk in (02 558 8990)
Discover the perfect date: Spend a decent amount of time in the city and it’s inevitable that you’ll develop some sort of opinion on dates. Assuming yours isn’t ‘they’re absolutely disgusting’, head out to Al Gharbia this weekend to check out the Liwa Date Festival, where you’ll have the chance to sample the world’s finest nuggets of deliciousness.
Free. Until July 21. www.liwadatesfestival.ae (02 657 6094)
Friday 15
Check out a brand new cinema: CineRoyal has just opened a new 14-screen cinema in Dalma Mall. Head on down and catch a post-shopping blockbuster in shiny new surrounds.
www.cineroyal.ae
Eat fish from the ’80s: The only thing better than Japanese food (yes, they serve more than sushi) is Japanese food with a live DJ. No really. Head down to chic Sho Cho’s tonight and sway to the beats of DJ Gem, who’ll be playing you favourite ’80s and ’90s tunes from 10pm. Reservations are a must.
Souk Qaryat al Beri (02 558 1117)
Discover a decadent feast: Of all the city’s brunches, the new cross-restaurant feast at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is arguably the biggest, cramming in top class sushi, roasted meats, TOAD award-winning pizza and a belly-boggling Dhs5,000 worth of cheese. Best dig out your stretchiest trousers.
Dhs249-Dhs449, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333)
Dance like an Arab: It’s Friday, you’re bored and you need loud Arabic music. Head down to Rush Bar and check out their Sarab Extreme Fuel Nights with traditional and modern Arabic music mixed by new resident DJ Keith Dobbs, including special guest DJs Mohab Shaker, Simon B and Tony White, as well as live percussionist George Safi. Dhs50 before midnight, Dhs100 after midnight; ladies and Etihad crew free before midnight.
The Yas Hotel (050 701 4162)
Saturday 16
Get cash back at Rotana restaurants: Here’s a great offer, if a little complicated. If you’re a Rotana Rewards member, you can dine at any Rotana restaurant in the UAE and get a voucher worth 50 per cent of your already discounted bill. Which you can use the next time you eat out. If that’s not a good reason to sign up we don’t know what is.
For more info, visit www.rotana.com
Eat a metric ton of sushi: Know why the Japanese are such an intelligent, intriguing, beautiful race? They eat a heck of a lot of raw fish, which is lean, great for the brain and also – somewhat conveniently – rather delicious. Fill your bottomless boots at Soba tonight for just Dhs150.
Le Royal Méridien (02 695 0450)
Hit the sales: The summer sales are still on – and what better way to spend a scorching summer Saturday than in the cool confines of the mall? Get down quick, though, or else you’ll be left with the dregs.
Keep the kids entertained: Summer in Abu Dhabi is your holiday saviour – even the fussiest kid will be kept quiet with the activities on offer. Whether your little angel is a fan of SpongeBob SquarePants, Fulla, or the Smurfs, or just wants to give their juggling skills a go, there should be something to keep them out of trouble.
Sunday 17
Settle down with a good book: Fancy a quiet night in? Flip to page 69 for this week’s recommended reads and recover from the first day of the working week with a spot of escapism.
Admire some extravagant colours: Got an appointment on Yas Island? Swing by The Yas Hotel’s Marina Wing for a glance at Colors of Extravagance, an exhibition of brightly hued works from two talented Emirati artists.
Free. Until end of August
Sleep in a rainforest: The Banyan Tree Al Wadi is offering a 2-for-1 deal for your summer weekdays. Book a room during the week and get another night for free, as well as a free 60-minute Rainforest Experience spa session for two adults. Children will get free access to the Banyan Tree Al Wadi Kids Club too.
For reservations, call 07 206 7777
Snap up some cut-price curry: Abu Dhabi City Golf Club has a promotion on Asian curries this summer, so grab yourself a bowl of something hot and spicy between 7pm and 11pm on Sunday evenings.
Prices start at Dhs50. 19th Street, ADCGC (02 445 9600)
Monday 18
Kick something: Learn to defend yourself and get fit with the Sheraton’s friendly martial arts class.
7.30pm-8.30pm. Karate/kickboxing class, Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Get cut-price gym membership: Grand Millennium’s mega health club is offering a whopping 35 per cent off six-month and one-year packages until the end of August, so book now while you have the chance. Stop by the hotel’s Zayna Spa too for details of more summer discounts on their facials and beauty treatments.
Grand Millennium Al Wahda (02 495 3822)
Try a brand new restaurant: One to One – The Village has just launched a brand new restaurant, Sennara, serving Mediterranean and Arabic seafood dishes that we’re sure will tickle your taste buds. Go try it out.
Sennara (02 495 2000)
Get quizzical: With not long to go until the city’s bars take a Ramadan break, take the initiative and get involved with Heroes’ legendary pub quiz. There are big spoils for the winners, and even a consolation prize for the biggest losers.
Free. 8pm
Tuesday 19
Study some fine sculptures: Having brought the city some fine canvases so far this year, Salwa Zeidan Gallery turns its attention to three-dimensional works for latest show Art In Space.
Free. Until August 31 (02 666 9656)
Have a top business lunch: If you need a reason to get out of the office during July, invite a colleague to share a meal at Hawksbill. It’s offering two courses for just Dhs90 per person between noon and 3pm. Why not get in a round of golf before you return to the office too?
Hawksbill, Saadiyat Golf Club (02 499 8107)
See West Side Story: One of the coolest EVER musicals, this classic American story of warring families told through catchy tunes and funky dance sequences is unmissable. Book tickets fast while they’re still available.
Centrepoint Theatre, Dubai www.timeouttickets.com
Be a lucky lady: A superb new offer from the kind people at Heroes means that if you’re a lady, you can purchase a bottle of house plink-plonk for just Dhs40 every day between noon (please, don’t go that early) and 8pm. We consider that a bona fide bargain.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 621 0000)
Wednesday 20
Go cosmopolitan: Free drinks and a live DJ; the capital’s fairer gender gets a lot of love these days. Y-Bar’s Wednesday nights are for the ladies, and free select beverages are on offer from 8pm-midnight. DJ Cliff Townley will be behind the beats, and will play everything from soul to funk, and R&B to house. For everyone else, happy hour’s between 6pm and 9pm.
Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000)
Party on a school night: Party on a Wednesday? Heck yes! The Yacht Club has its Mega Weekend kicking off tonight. Head down there for dinner and a show from resident DJ Rabih, as well as dancers and singer Jessica Flores. There’s no additional cover charge, but reservations are a must, and tables have a minimum required spend of Dhs1,500; so bring your friends.
Opens 7pm, DJ and dancers from 11pm (800 423 463)
Whip up some tasty hummus: Fancy trying your hand at cooking some local fare? Rustle up creamy chickpea goo and plenty more at Atayeb’s Arabic cooking classes, taking place tonight and every Wednesday until the end of July.
Yum. Dhs375. Yas Hotel (02 656 0760)
Bag a free beverage: It’s ladies night at Oceans, so if you’re in the market for some free blends, head on down (if you’re a lady, of course). 9pm till late.
Oceans, Le Royal Méridien (02 674 1094)
