Angela Beitz visits the Hidden Bar at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi and discovers a new watering hole with plenty of undercover charms to woo customers back time and again, from food to beverages and service as well.
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi has already made an impression in the capital, with its boutique style venues and friendly and warm service. You can smoke shisha on the terrace at Sambusek, sip grape and bite into tapas at La Cava. There are also plenty of great restaurants to choose from depending on your mood but we decided to check out the busy Hidden Bar that always seems filled with well dressed business people. It’s a secluded venue at the back of the hotel perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a busy day.
Service
The friendly staff here will pop over for chat and help you select beverages according to your tastes. On the particular day we visited, they whipped us up a super refreshing watermelon blend with a big chunk of the fruit itself resting atop the glass. We tried other mixes including a delicious ginger and lemongrass drink which was full of flavour and very refreshing. They also offer a large selection of other fresh and fruity mocktails. We have to say that the staff are genuine and very professional, you feel as if they are trying to make your experience relaxed and feel like home.
Décor and atmosphere
Hidden Bar is slick while also being intimate. It’s pretty much hidden, as the name suggests, by high timber walls that reveal a modern bar inside and a beautiful terrace outside. The terrace is a bit warm at the moment but it won’t be long before you will be able to enjoy the breeze with stunning views of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Big white, comfy couches are placed all along the terrace and we could visualise ourselves sitting there for a few hours with some good company. Inside, the bar is ultra modern, with small enclaves divided by curtains. There are smart lounge type chairs to relax in and it’s a great spot for meeting friends or a smart place to host some work drinks. Rosewood is known for its amazing design and boutique feel and this is one very trendy bar with lots of pendant lighting and a warm ambiance.
Food
On our visit we were feeling quite peckish so we were happy to taste some treats off the Hidden Bar food menu. Dishes include mini burgers, Caesar salad and other comfort type foods. We can’t resist the mini burgers which come as three pieces, beautifully presented on a plate with mustards and sauces. They are tasty and the perfect size to accompany a drink without getting messy hands. They come served with delicious French fries and it’s a fancy way to experience a burger with chips.
Hidden Bar will be starting a high tea called Great Britain at its Best on September 1. It will be available every day from 4pm-7pm and bookings are preferred. It will feature an open-faced sandwich selection, Scottish smoked salmon pinwheels, melon and smoked halibut wrap, lobster and cheddar cheese melt, scones with clotted cream and homemade jams, mini sticky toffee puddings, lime and meringue mini pies and more, plus coffee and tea selections, assorted mineral waters, fresh fruit juices and a glass of bubbles for Dhs180 per person.
Pros
Service is fantastic and personalised, the staff are more than likely to remember you and what drink you prefer. It’s great that you can choose to either sit outside or indoors and the bar is equally accommodating for small or large gatherings.
Cons
Make sure to book a table if you are heading over for a visit at peak time, which is after work.
Open daily 4pm-1am. The Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
