Thursday 18
Catch a fleeting art show: Though it’s not the catchiest name for an art exhibition we’ve ever heard, National Exhibition of Formative Arts has at least got creative talent by the sackload. Over 300 Arab and expat artists have work on show, with pieces ranging from the intricately figurative to the wildly abstract. Well worth catching while you can.
Free. Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel (02 449 5900)
Grab an alternative Iftar: So, what’s for dinner tonight? Ouzi and umm ali again? Why not get down to super-plush Indian restaurant Ushna and have a nosh on something a little bit different.
Ushna. Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1769)
Get pampered together: Couples in need of some relaxing time together should have a look at the Sheraton’s August offer for two, which includes a fitness session, 20% discount on spa treatments and last but not least a boat trip around the Arabian Sea.
Dhs399 for two people, Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333).
Let the kids create: Al Wahda Mall is organizing workshops for kids during Ramadan in the evening hours. Today there is Ramadan banner making and clay pot painting, amongst other things.
From 8pm, Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7070).
Friday 19
Have a boys’ day out: For some father and son bonding time, why not take advantage of the Dads & Lads offer for a full day at Ferrari World and two 10-minute karting sessions at Yas Kartzone. The girls can stay at home.
Dhs365 for adults, Dhs275 for kids. Ferrari World and Yas Kartzone (800 927).
Have a chilled out Suhoor: Know that outdoor courtyard at Le Royal Méridien where the swimming pool is? Well for the duration of Ramadan, it’s been turned into an icy cool Suhoor tent, with the pool acting as a massive water feature. Grab some friends, book a table and settle down for a long night of chilled out antics.
Dhs55. 8.30pm-2.30am (02 674 2020)
Relax after Iftar: Have some tea or coffee and gorge on traditional Arabic sweets in the Shangri-La’s sumptuous lounge. You need to take it slow after that massive Iftar you just had, after all.
Dhs45 for a tea or coffee set with Arabic sweets, Shangri-La Hotel (02 509 8555).
Sail the high seas: Go on an afternoon sailing trip and forget about the hustle and bustle of the city for a couple of hours. Noukhada Adventure Company have tailored trips on the weekends for small groups of two, three or four people.
From Dhs300 per hour per boat, Noukhada Adventure Company (02 650 3600).
Saturday 20
Brave the beach: Yes, we know it’s hot, but that just makes the water even more tempting. Plus, it’s open till midnight, so you can always opt to go later in the day when the sun is going down. The beachfront cafes can get quite busy in the evenings.
Public beach free, Family beach Dhs10 per person. 7.30am till midnight, Corniche.
Watch an Egyptian movie: Head to the Abu Dhabi Film Festival Summer Screenings today to watch Heliopolis, a feature-length film set in the city of Cairo.
Free, register at http://nyuad.nyu.edu. Nyuad Downtown Campus, light Iftar at 6.50pm, films start at 7.30pm, but head there earlier.
Enjoy freebies, like a lady: Cho Gao’s ladies nights are still going strong, with unlimited mixed drinks for the girls. Head down there if you’re so inclined.
9pm-1am, Cho Gao, Crowne Plaza Hamdan Street (02 616 6122).
Stock up on quality TV: We’ll level with you – there’s basically nothing going on in the city at the moment. To save yourself eating your own hands through boredom, get to Virgin Megastore in Abu Dhabi Mall and fill your basket with box sets. Not sure what’s worth watching? Look out for our couch potato-approved guide next week.
Sunday 21
Eat a fishy Iftar: A person can only put away so much butter chicken before the stuff starts to seep out of their ears. Try some alternative fast-breaking fare at Pearls & Caviar, where you’ll find a spread of Mediterranean style seafood and pasta.
Dhs199. Shangri-La (02 509 8555)
Watch athletes compete: In this heat, we’d much rather look at physical exercise than participate ourselves. The Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel’s 15th Open Sports Festival is a great opportunity to watch other people get sweaty from the comfort of your chair, and today is the final day.
Free, from 9.30pm, Armed Forces Officers Club (02 441 5900).
Explore a new mall: The brand new Mushrif Mall is now open (because Abu Dhabi really needed another mall), and while a lot of the shops are still closed just walking around in anticipation is entertainment in itself. We are particularly excited by the soon-to-be-opened Tim Horton’s.
10am-10pm, Airport Road, 25th street
Get your game face on: Sunday is games night at legendary Irish bar PJ O’Reilly’s, with bingo, Pictionary and other assorted high-jinks all on the cards, all night long. Sharpen your wits (or just get lauged at) and get down for the chance to win big, and get famous.
Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Monday 22
See the Premier League’s big boys: You’ll have to stay up late, but with both teams signing some nifty players over the summer, tonight’s clash between Spurs and Manchester United ought to be an absolute, solid gold cracker of a match. 11pm.
AD Sports
Stay fit during Ramadan: Even if you’re fasting, those Iftars aren’t doing your weight any favours. Head to the Shangri-La to take advantage of their Ramadan Daily Health Club Pass offer.
Dhs250, Shangri-La Hotel (02 509 8910, 509 8911).
Fill a box with goodies: Do your bit for charity this Ramadan and provide a labourer with much needed goods through the Box Appeal.
Radisson Blu Yas Island (02 656 2000) and Park Inn Abu Dhabi (02 656 2222).
Enjoy a bargain Iftar: If you’re craving some curry for Iftar, head to Kababs & Kurries for a lavish buffet of Indian food, including soups, salads, kebabs, biryani and of course the aforementioned curry.
Dhs69, sunset-midnight, Kababs & Kurries at Souk at Central Market (02 628 2522).
Tuesday 23
Show some charity: Since it would appear that you’re a regular reader of a quality, upmarket publication like Time Out Abu Dhabi, chances are that you’re not only well-off, you’re also a good person deep down somewhere in your internal organs. Show the world some love by giving something back to the folks who need it.
Break your fast, not the bank: Feeling the pinch as the month draws to a close? Head over to Yas Island and enjoy your evening feed at Assymetri, where you can fill up on the Ramadan grub or less than the cost of a pair of trousers.
Dhs99. Radisson Blu (02 656 2000)
Go for a run: Biking or running outdoors during the day is generally a bad idea in this time of year, so head to Train Yas at the Marina Circuit in the cooler evening hours to get your weekly running or cycling hour out of your system.
Free but online registration required at www.yasmarinacircuit.com, 7pm-9pm, Yas Racing school (02 659 9393).
Learn a new language: Meet up with the friendly bunch of people from Abu Dhabi Speaks!, every two weeks in Marina Mall. Any language available amongst the attendees can be practiced. Check their Facebook page for details on the next meeting.
Free, www.facebook.com/ADspeaks
Wednesday 24
Broaden your musical horizons: Sick of the same old over-produced, auto-tuned nonsense? Luckily, there’s more to music than what’s on the radio.
Experience the Ramadan spirit: Head to the Ramadan and Eid Festival at Adnec with the whole family for an exhibition that promises to be a mixture of tradition and entertainment; traditional food, gift items, song and dance during the evening hours.
From 7pm, ADNEC Halls 1-5, (02 444 6900).
See some cars: The Emirates National Auto Museum houses the private car collection of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, which includes seven Mercedes in seven colours, a military vehicle with a golfing range on top and a see-through disco car.
Free, 9am-1pm, 2pm-6pm, on the E65 towards Liwa Oasis. (02 667 6999).
Get your kids active: Haddins active summer camp at Zayed Sports City lets your kids try their hand (and feet!) at plenty of activities. And you get day to yourself.
Dhs175 daily rate, Haddins Gym at Zayed Sports City (050 104 7948)
