Abu Dhabi’s Liquid Rain parties are sure to make a splash when they return to the city at the end of the month. Get ready to soak in the atmosphere.
It rarely rains in Abu Dhabi, but when it does, it pours – or at least it does at the rain party. Aloft Abu Dhabi is well known for its clever and original nightlife ideas. From its Christmas sweater party to its mid-winter après ski party, its socials are always a hit, but perhaps the most successful of Aloft’s concepts is its Liquid Rain pool party.
Aloft’s Maï Café has been throwing Liquid Rain pool parties since 2011 and they have been attracting more and more of the UAE’s young and fun residents with each season. The Liquid Rain pool party is a regular nightlife event that takes place in the summer and features DJs, dancing and, of course rain, all on the roof of Aloft Abu Dhabi.
During the warm weather, the only place to be – if you’re outside – is by the water. So Aloft took matters into its own hands. Maï Café’s infinity pool surrounded by olive trees made it the perfect venue for a summer party… but Aloft wanted more. Ranier Weinberg, director of operations at Aloft Abu Dhabi, says, ‘The idea originated when the creative minds of Aloft Abu Dhabi brainstormed a way of making the classic and already popular pool parties of the capital completely different.’
They wanted to introduce a new idea to Abu Dhabi nightlife. They were looking for something that had never been done before, in the capital or elsewhere. So they decided to centre the party on something
that Abu Dhabi lacks: rain.
‘We started by going to a landscape gardening shop and buying three water sprinklers with three tripods,’ says Ranier. ‘We placed two banquet tables on top of each other at each side of the dance floor and the tripods on top of the tables.’
Ranier continues, ‘We just went for it and studied the reaction of the crowd.’ Within minutes, the dance floor was packed. The party was a success. Word quickly spread about the rain parties and the number of guests grew each month. And so the Liquid Rain pool party was born.
+For the next season, Ranier invested in sophisticated rain machines and customised them, adding new sound effects, strobe lights and smoke machines. Now, Aloft Abu Dhabi adds features to the parties every new season to ensure that the Liquid Rain party remains the biggest summer bash in the city. This year, the UAE’s best known DJs will be playing at the upcoming rain parties. A few of the names who will perform include Natalie Brogan, Chad Phunk, Stew Magoo, DJ Tamer, Simon B from Radio 1 and Aloft’s resident DJ José RC, from Spain.
7pm, March 28. Dhs100 for men, free entry for ladies. Etihad and Emirates crew receive free entry and 50 per cent off food and drinks. Aloft Abu Dhabi, www.aloftabudhabi.com (02 654 5000).
Three more watering holes
Al Maya Beach pool parties
Every Friday, 11am-9pm, catch a boat out to Al Maya Island and dance to a new DJ each week. Boats leave Al Maya Jetty across from Emirates Palace from 11am onwards.
Dhs100 (050 731 7802).
Fluid Fridays
The private beach at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi transforms into a massive outdoor party every Friday from 6pm to midnight. It will be flying in new international DJs every week.
Free entry. Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah, www.lemeridienabudhabi.com (02 644 6666).
Rooftop Party
Chill out by the pool in the relaxed Level Lounge at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi. Its new Friday rooftop parties feature house music by resident DJ Dante.
1pm-7.30pm. Dhs100, includes two house beverages. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Street, www.ihg.com (02 616 6251).
