New Year's Eve in Abu Dhabi: Here are 15 ways to ring in 2017
Watch Coldplay close out 2016
If rocking out to Chris Martin and co is more your style for New Year’s, you’re in luck. The British band will be playing an NYE gig at du Arena as part of their A Head Full Of Dreams tour. Expect songs from their latest album including Hymn For The Weekend and Adventure Of A Lifetime.
du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs350 to Dhs1,495. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: du Arena. thinkflash.ae
Caramel
Head to Saadiyat Island for unlimited food and drinks including kale and quinoa salad, creamy mac and cheese, TNT shrimp, mini truffled fish and chips and lobster and grilled mango tacos. For dessert there’ll be crème brulee, dark chocolate fondant and Nutella cheesecake.
The Collection, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 9pm to midnight, Dhs300 per person. Tel: (02) 6783344. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat Island. caramelgroup.com
Puesta del Sol
Head to Fairmont’s brand new alfresco spot to eat seafood bites and watch the fireworks over the Maqta creek. There’ll also be a DJ and free-flowing house and premium beverages on offer.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, 9.30pm to 2.30am, Dhs795 per person. Tel: (02) 6543238. Taxi: Fairmont. fairmont.com
Bu!
Inspired by the Netflix series Midnight in Medellin, this NYE party will see the restaurant turn into the streets of Columbia with salsa beats, themed drinks and more. The menu features lobster with fried quinoa, wagyu short rib with corn and black cod with potato and chile guero.
World Trade Center Mall, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am, Dhs399 for seven-course menu with soft drinks, Dhs699 for seven-course menu with house beverages, Dhs99 for seven-course menu with bubbly and house beverages. Tel: (02) 3048179. Taxi: World Trade Center Mall. butrinity.com
Tamba
Aditya Kumar Jha was our Chef Of The Year at the What’s On Awards 2016 and he is serving an 11-course menu this New Year’s Eve, including king crab puri and coconut mirchi prawn, and beverages are included in the price.
World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am, Dhs580 to Dhs850. Tel: (02) 6728888. Taxi: World Trade Center. tambarestaurant.com
Boa
The steakhouse all the way from California is serving a seven-course menu featuring marinated Scottish salmon served with mixed beetroot, pan-seared scallops with cauliflower cream and edamame beans, plus 40-day dry-aged Kobe beef and surf lobster.
Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 2am, Dhs495 to Dhs695. Tel: (02) 6411500. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves Promenade. boaabudhabi.ae
Marriott Downtown
JW Steakhouse is going back to 1920s America with a Prohibition-themed party. They’ll also be serving a six-course menu and guests can head to the rooftop at midnight to see the fireworks displays.
Marriott Hotel Downtown, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, dinner 7.30pm to 11.30pm, Dhs375 to Dhs675. Taxi: Marriott Downtown, near Al Wahda Mall. marriott.com
Eastern Mangroves Hotel And Spa By Anantara
As well as New Year’s-themed menus in Ingredients and Pachaylen, the hotel is hosting a party at The Pool Deck, featuring an open bar, shisha lounge and a DJ.
Eastern Mangroves Hotel And Spa By Anantara, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 10.30pm to 3am, Dhs250 to Dhs480. Tel: (02) 6561000 Taxi: Eastern Mangroves. abu-dhabi.anantara.com
Sofitel
Head to Sofitel for a Great Gatsby-themed party featuring a buffet and a chocolate fountain.
Sofitel Abu Dhabi, Corniche East Road, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 1am, Dhs425 to Dhs625. Tel: (02) 8137888. Taxi: Sofitel Corniche. sofitel.com
Sheraton Abu Dhabi
The Sheraton is hosting a beach party at its alfresco outlet Beachcomber. Organised by party planners Reggae Beachfest, it’s a Caribbean themed bash.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 2am, Dhs150. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Sheraton. sheraton.com
Mercure
Le Beaujolias is serving a special French menu and there’s live music from French duo Michel Delpech and Virginie La Peyre.
Mercure Abu Dhabi Centre Hotel, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 2.30am, Dhs250. Tel: (02) 6592835. Taxi: Mercure Centre Hotel. accorhotels.com
Barfly
Barfly at the Venetian Village is serving a five-course set menu with unlimited beverages, plus a champagne menu. Dancers and a saxophone player will help you ring in the new year.
Venetian Village, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to midnight, Dhs450 to Dhs650. Tel: (02) 4041951. Taxi: Venetian Village. venetianvillage.ae/barfly
Aloft
Dine, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, is serving a New Year’s Eve dinner. On the menu is turkey, lobster, smoked salmon and festive desserts.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Adnec, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 10.30pm, Dhs190 to Dhs245. Tel: (02) 6545193. Taxi: Adnec. aloftabudhabi.com
Southern Sun
The Foundry is hosting a buffet dinner to see in the new year, and you get champagne and canapés upon arrival. You can then head to the rooftop to celebrate 2017’s arrival and listen to tunes from DJ Sia.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am, Dhs559 to Dhs699. Tel: (02) 8184888. Taxi: Southern Sun. tsogosunhotels.com
Novotel & Ibis Gate Hotels
The Belgian café is hosting a party that’ll include live music and a DJ, food platters, plus a champagne toast at midnight. There’s also a raffle draw to win a stay at the Novotel Gate Hotel.
Novotel & Ibis Gate Hotels, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 12.15am, Dhs249. Tel: (02) 5089999. Taxi: Novotel & Ibis Gate Hotels, near Maqta Bridge. novotel.com