Our picks: 9 things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend
What’s On has a full list of all the things to do for the weekend in Abu Dhabi, including workshops, deals, sports, entertainment and new openings.
It’s the start of the weekend, folks! But if you’re not sure what you’re doing yet, don’t worry. What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.
Thursday February 2
Eat steak at Southern Sun
Sample a selection of steaks cuts every Thursday night at The Foundry restaurant in the Southern Sun. Expect a selection of dishes served directly to your table including tasting cuts of Tajima wagyu cube roll, USDA Angus flank steak and South African Karan tenderloin. In addition to the red meat there’ll also be shucked oysters, butternut pumpkin lasagna and pan seared Norwegian salmon.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Thursdays 7pm to 11pm, Dhs199 for soft drinks, Dhs299 for house beverages. Tel: (02) 8184888. Taxi: Southern Sun hotel, near Corniche Hospital. tsogosunhotels.com
Brunch after hours at Hilton Abu Dhabi
While brunch is usually thought of as being a meal between breakfast and lunch, Escape restaurant at the Hilton Abu Dhabi has other ideas. The alfresco seaside restaurant will be hosting two after-dark brunches that begin at 8pm this month. The spread will include quinoa and shrimp salad, lamb kebabs, mini burgers, ravioli with ricotta, cheesecake and more. Plus DJ James will be on the decks all night long.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 1am, Dhs120 with soft drinks, Dhs220 with alcohol. Tel: (02) 6924247. Taxi: Hiltonia Beach Club. hilton.com
Go to a concert
NYUAD is hosting the Bang on a Can All-Stars for a concert performance that blurs the line between classical, jazz, rock, world, and experimental music.
NYUAD Arts Center, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, free to attend but prior reservation required. Taxi: NYUAD. nyuad.nyu.edu
Friday February 3
Visit the pet festival
The third annual Abu Dhabi Pet Festival returns to du Arena today and will feature competitions (think dog shows, cat beauty contests and dog agility), demonstrations from Abu Dhabi’s K9 Police dogs, petting zoo, pony rides and free medical check ups for your four-legged friends.
du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, free entrance, 2pm to 10pm. Tel: (050) 5851394. Taxi: du Arena. petfestival.ae
Go skydiving (sort of)
While the capital still doesn’t have a dedicated skydiving space, you can try the next best thing with a zip around the Spacewalk at the Abu Dhabi Country Club. The tunnel has an 875 horsepower fan system that’ll keep you afloat with wind speeds capable of reaching up to 160kph.
Abu Dhabi Country Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 8pm, Dhs180 for two-minutes. Tel: (02) 6577601. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Country Club. adcountryclub.com
Eat brekkie
Head to Giraffe on Yas Mall to sample their new breakfast menu featuring dishes like spicy brunch hash with beef chorizo, fried egg, spinach and new potatoes, shakshouka with Turkish bread and berry splash smoothie. The restaurant will also have an activity area and face-painting station to keep the kids busy.
Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 9am to 11pm, Thur and Fri 9am to midnight. Tel: (02) 5650711. Taxi: Yas Mall. giraffe.net
Saturday February 4
Eat food from a truck
#TruckersDXB is making a pit stop in Abu Dhabi. Head to the Sheraton Abu Dhabi hotel to check out a gathering of food trucks on the beach. Other entertainment will include a DJ on the decks playing Latin and reggae music, bouncy castle, arts and crafts as well as an open mic night from aspiring singers later on in the evening.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, 2pm to 11pm, free entrance. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. facebook.com/truckersdxb
Check out some dotty art
American artist Kathleen Caillier will be exhibiting a selection of her work at the French Alliance Abu Dhabi this month. Dubbed Atoms and Particles, the show will feature 36 works of art that feature her unique style of pointillism. The exhibit, which will be free to attend, will feature everything from pastoral scenes of France, the Czech Republic and Abu Dhabi to portraits and street scenes. The works will also be accompanied by a selection of poems written by the artist.
French Alliance Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thurs 9am to 8pm, Sat 10am to 4pm, closed Fridays, free entry. Tel: (02) 6122900. Taxi: French Alliance, next to Embassy of Ireland. afabudhabi.org
Learn how to Lindy Hop
Check out the new swing dance lessons at New York University Abu Dhabi being hosted by local club Swing Dance Abu Dhabi. The classes will focus on teaching members the moves of the Lindy Hop, a type of swing dance that first appeared in the United States in the ’20s and ’30s.
New York University Abu Dhabi campus centre, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Saturdays 7pm to 10pm, free. Taxi: C2 building, NYUAD. facebook.com/SwingDanceAbuDhabi