Things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend
You know that moment on a Thursday afternoon when your work buddy asks what you’re doing this weekend and your mind goes blank? Well worry no more, friends, because What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.
ENTERTAINMENT
Check out the latest movie trailers and cinema listings of films being release in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Click here.
THURSDAY
Visit the Ramadan Art Bazaar
The Space’s annual event starts tonight in its twofour54 offices, with a selection of artwork available to buy. This year, Emirati artists Jalal Luqman, Mattar Bin Lahej and Khalil Abdulwahid are taking part. More than 100 pieces are available and won’t cost you more than Dhs4,000.
The Space, twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi. Thur, from 9.30pm. Taxi: twofour54, Khalifa Park. thespacead.tumblr.com
Iftar in Al Ain
Enjoy iftar and suhoor at the Al Ain Rotana’s Al Zaeem Village, with free wi-fi offered as part of the price. There’s a raffle draw, plus a daily selection of Arabic dishes plus Ramadan juices available.
Al Ain Rotana, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, daily from sunset to 3am, Dhs149. Tel: (03) 7545111. Taxi: Al Ain Rotana, Al Ain. rotana.com
Iftar in the city
Aloft Hotel has a large tent with shisha available, plus an Oud player, sahoor and iftar, as well as big screen TVs showing the World Cup in Arabic (quarter-finals start tomorrow night). Seafood, a mixed grill and Arabic coffee is being served.
Aloft, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, from sunset, Dhs135. Tel: (02) 6545000. Taxi: Aloft, near Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. aloftabudhabi.events@alofthotels.com
Last ladies’ night at Yas Waterworld
It’s the last ladies’ night of the season at Abu Dhabi’s waterpark, so take your mates down for some fun on the rides including Bubble’s Barrel, Liwa Loop, Jebel Drop and more.
Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 9pm to 1am, Dhs170-210. Tel: (02) 4142000. Taxi: Yas Waterworld. yaswaterworld.com
Stretch out at the Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah
If you fancy going on a staycation this summer, then we suggest popping down for an overnight stay at The Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah, who are currently offering a two-bed room for the price of a one-bed room. The deal, which runs until August 15, includes free access to the panoramic swimming pool, the boutique gym, free wi-fi and the exclusive round-the-clock Karim butler services. While you’re there, you can go on a kayaking trip along the mangroves. A guided tour will cost you Dh150 for adults, Dhs130 for kids, while a private tour will cost you Dhs200 per person.
Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 4123333. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves Promenade. jannah.ae
Take the kids to The Galleria’s Fun Corner
The mall on Al Maryah Island launches Fun Corner this month, with a soft play area, a face painting station, a clown making animals out of balloons, plus a bouncy castle. You’ll find it in the corridor leading to the Rosewood Abu Dhabi.
The Galleria, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 7pm to 1am, Thurs to Fri 7pm to 2am, free. Tel: (800) 220. Taxi: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island. thegalleria.ae
Visit a night spa
Summer and the Holy Month: two things guaranteed to see Abu Dhabi come alive once the sun goes down. And the Sofitel’s So Spa has extended its opening hours until midnight this month and is offering a mezze of spa treatments for one price. You can unwind by combining three, 30-minute treatments, such as a facial, foot massage, Indian head massage, back neck and shoulder massage, reflexology or body scrub.
Sofitel, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to midnight, Dhs555. Tel: (02) 8137777. Taxi: Sofitel hotel. sofitel.com
FRIDAY
Go fishing
Watercooled Abu Dhabi is now offering fishing trips on its brand new boat, which departs from Hiltonia Beach Club. The boat has a GPS, fish finder, sun shade, a comfortable seating area and a wash room. On-board catering and the chance to cook your catch afterwards are also available.
Watercooled, Hiltonia Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, daily, trips last three hours, Dhs1,000 per boat, maximum 10 people. Tel: (02) 6395997. Taxi: Hiltonia Beach Club. Watercooleduae.com
Break your fast at The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal has transformed its all-day dining restaurant Giornotte into a covered Arabian retreat for iftar celebrations. An extensive range of regional dishes are served a la carte, with additional live cooking stations and Ramadan beverages included.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, from sunset, Dhs215. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz Carlton Grand Canal. ritzcarlton.com
Iftar on Yas Island
Enjoy delicacies from the award-winning menu from Atayeb at the Yas Viceroy, with mezze platters, traditional Arabic grills and Emirati dishes. Then head into the air-conditioned tent on the terrace for trackside shisha.
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, from sunset, Dhs195. (02) 6560600. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Try a World Cup-themed burger
Off out to see one of the World Cup quarter-finals tonight? Try Heroes, which is running a World Cup Heroes menu throughout the World Cup and until July 31. From Brazil? Try the Samba Burger. Supporting Germany? The Frankfurt Hot Dog is your perfect dinner companion. There are competitions being held here throughout the tournament as well.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 12pm to 4am. Tel: (02) 6166166. Taxi: Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street. crowneplaza.com
SATURDAY
Eat more, spend less
For every Dhs100 you spend at the Staybridge Suites Yas Island’s restaurants this month, you’ll receive a voucher worth Dhs25 to spend in the hotel’s outlets. There’s a similar deal running at the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island.
Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6563333. Taxi: Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi, Yas Island. ihg.com
Enjoy iftar at The Royal Rose
Feast on a mix of Arabic, Indian and international food at Printania restaurant at this hotel’s luxuriously-themed iftar.
Royal Rose, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, from sunset, Dhs145. Tel: (02) 6724000. Taxi: Royal Rose Hotel, Electra Street. royalrosehotel.com
Learn about the history of the world
Make sure you find time to see this incredible exhibition, A History Of The World in 100 Objects, at Manarat Al Saadiyat. It’s a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and the British Museum.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm. Tel (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. saadiyat.ae
Watch the world cup in a tent
The second set of quarter-finals take place tonight, with Argentina playing Belgium and Holland taking on Costa Rica. And if you’ve not caught the action yet in one of the city’s many tents, we suggest you pop down to one this weekend. The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, the InterContinental, The Shangri-La (pictured) and the du Forum are four worth visiting.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6543333. Taxi: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.
InterContinental, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (800) 423463, Taxi: InterContinental.
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 5098888. Taxi: Shangri-La Hotel.
du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to the end of the last match, free. Tel: (02) 5098143. Taxi: du Forum, Yas Island. duforum.ae
A Grand iftar in Al Wahda
The Grand Millennium Al Wahda’s vast iftar tent features a selection of cooking stations, featuring Arabic, Asian, Indian dishes and more, plus live music.
Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, from after sunset to 9pm, Dhs149. Tel: (02) 495 3890. Taxi: Grand Millennium Al Wahda. millenniumhotels.ae
Häagen-Dazs Ramadan desserts
The New York ice cream makers have concocted two desserts to celebrate the Holy Month. The Ramadan Fondue is made up of Arabic sweets, brownies, fresh and dried fruits and 16 mini scoops of ice cream with Belgian chocolate sauce, while For the Arabic Journey features four individual glasses of ice cream with Arabic sweets, dried fruits and fresh katayef (a kind of sweet dumpling also filled with ice cream), served with pistachio and butterscotch sauce.
Until Aug 2
Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, daily 12pm to 10pm, Dhs74-125. Tel: (02) 4458903. Taxi: Dalma Mall. haagendazs.com.sg