16 things to do in Dubai this weekend
JLO, jazz, bumper brunches, beard-offs and bar crawls…
If you’re in the mood for a busy weekend, you’ve come to the right place.
We’re kicking things off with world famous chefs, a new Latin night and a beard-off on Thursday. On Friday, a Santa bar crawl, bumper brunch, jazz and JLO are all in the mix. Then Saturday, see out the weekend with a beer festival, drinks deals and a Great British street party.
Here are 16 things to do in Dubai this weekend…
Thursday November 16
1. Dine at the hands of two award winning chefs
In celebration of Atlantis, The Palms’ Culinary Month, two of the world’s most recognisable chefs, Nobu Matsuhisa and Giorgio Locatelli will be joining forces for a culinary first. Taking place on Thursday 16th November at Nobu Dubai, this ‘four hands’ dining experience will serve up a six course tasting menu of top Japanese and Italian cuisine. Starting at 7pm, Nobu Matsuhisa of the world-renowned Japanese restaurant, Nobu and one Michelin star Italian celebrity chef Giorgio Locatelli will come together to deliver the menu priced at Dhs550 per person.
Nobu Dubai, Atlantis The Palm, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs550. Tel: (04) 426 1000. More info on website
2. See the circus at Riverland
A three day “Circus on the River” festival is coming to Riverland at Dubai Parks and Resorts this weekend. There will be interactive circus acts, roaming entertainment acts, circus skills workshops and live shows for the whole family to enjoy. A highlight will be celebrity slackliner Mickey Wilson, who will be balancing his way atop the 4m high water slackline across the river.
Riverland, Dubai Parks & Resorts, near The Outlet Village, Thurs 5pm to 10pm, Fri and Sat 2pm to 10pm, free entry. More info on website
3. Compete in a beard-off at Lucky Voice
Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium, Barsha Heights, 8pm to 11pm, Thurs Nov 16. Tel: (800) 58259. More info on website
4. Laugh out loud at an improv’ night
Start your weekend with some spontaneous fun and laughter with Improv Nights taking place at Rove City Centre this Thursday in association with the Courtyard Playhouse. Influenced by audience suggestion, this month’s theme sees local Desis put on the spot with improv games, followed by stand-up sets from Courtyard Playhouse’s resident comics. It’s a free event open to the public.
Rove City Centre, Deira, 8pm to 9pm, Thurs Nov 16, free. Tel:(050) 781 2257 More info on website
5. Kick off the weekend at Coco on 8
The newly revamped Coco at Media One brings a slice of Latin at new night Little Havana every Thursday. There’s a happy hour from 6pm to 8pm with selected drinks at Dhs30, plus the party carries on until late with live entertainment and a mix of Latin House music by DJ Mr Tolentino & DJ Marise Cardoso, as well as live percussion.
Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Thursday 6pm to 2am, free entry. Tel: (050) 785 4163. More info on website.
6. Bag a bargain with Atlantis
Atlantis is hosting a four day mega sale from November 16 to November 19, where you can get your hands on discount deals on a host of the hotel’s attractions. The discount passes need to be bought between today and Sunday, and can be redeemed up until February 7 2018. There’s up to 50 per cent off Aquaventure Waterpark experiences, discounted to Dhs130, and 40 per cent off dolphin experiences, reducing them to prices starting at Dhs495.
Atlantis The Palm, November 16 to November 19, redeemable until February 7 2018. More info on website
Friday November 17
7. Celebrate a McGettigan’s birthday with a six-hour bumper brunch
Irish stalwart McGettigan’s JLT turns 7 Friday, and to celebrate the bar will host a six hour mega bumper birthday brunch from noon to 6pm for Dhs249. There will also be 70 per cent off drinks from 7pm to 8pm, and seven local music acts performing throughout the day.
McGettigan’s JLT, Cluster J, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Friday 12pm to 6pm, Dhs249. Tel: (04) 378 0800. More info on website
8. Get in the groove at Jazz Garden Episode Two
The second episode of Jazz Garden – The Series is back at The Habtoor Grand Resort this Friday with a new lineup of jazz artists. Expect to hear Anita Williams and her band, Lin Rountree and Beth Griffith, and Sharrie Williams and the Band perform at the outdoor concert. It’s free for all with registration.
Jazz Garden – The Series, Habtoor Grand Resort, Dubai Marina, Fri Nov 17, 6.30pm onwards, free with registration. Tel: (04) 341 1196. More info on website
9. Get in the festive spirit with a Santa-themed bar crawl
A massive bar crawl is coming to Dubai on November 17. That’s right, festive fanatics, brace your elves (sorry!). The Santa Shuffle will take place over a monster 15-hour session and will sleigh its way through 15 drinks and three of Dubai’s most lively restaurants; Jekyll & Hyde, The Scene and Mr Miyagi’s.
Jekyll & Hyde, DIFC, The Scene, Pier 7 & Mr Miyagi’s, Media City, Fri Nov 17, 11am to 3am, 15 food and drink tokens plus Santa outfit, Dhs499. Reservations: info@santashuffledubai.com. More info on Facebook
10. See JLO live
Jennifer Lopez is coming back to Dubai to perform for one night only at the Autism Rocks Arena this Friday November 17. It’s a return to Dubai for Lopez, who last performed at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre five years ago. The 47-year-old singer is known for putting on a real show: we can expect a lot of dancing, bucketloads of sequins and a feather boa or three.
Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai Outlet Mall, 5pm to 12am, Friday Nov 17, from Dhs345. Tel: (04) 457 3212. More info on website
11. Get pampered at We Nails
Offering both at home and in-salon services, We Nails has become a go-to for Marina residents for pre-party pampering. Their nail services are their most famous (although they offer massages, hair and waxing treatments too). They offer both acrylic and gel extensions, which are our go-to for killer claws now party season is kicking in at Dhs350, and have just started offering ‘chrombe’ nails, a combination of chrome colours in an ombre style.
We Nails, Al Sofouh Tower two, daily 10am to 9pm, Acrylic full set Dhs350. Tel: (04) 452 8226. More info on website
Saturday November 18
12. Head to a Hopfest at Barrel 12
It’s Hopfest every Saturday at Barrel 12. The sports bar is offering three hours of food from the BBQ and unlimited selected beverages for Dhs295 (add an extra Dhs39 for unlimited draught beers). The BBQ includes burgers, hotdogs, chicken wings and more, there will be live food and drink stations in the beer garden, plus the large TV screen will be broadcasting all the big sports games.
Barrel 12, The Palm Jumeirah, Saturdays, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 552 4000. More info on website.
13. Spend Saturday at a British Street party
The Great British Street Party is taking place this Saturday at Dukes Dubai on the palm. The resort is getting a red, white and blue makeover ahead of their garden party, which will come complete with bottomless picnic baskets filled with sausage rolls, quiche, sliced roast beef, Scotch Eggs and pickles served alongside unlimited drinks. There will also be a live DJ on hand to fill the air with British classics, from The Beatles and Rolling Stones, to Oasis, Pulp, Blur, Adele and Ed Sheeran.
Dukes Dubai, The Palm, 1pm to 5pm, Sat Nov 18, Dhs450. Tel: (04) 455 11116. More info on website
14. Apéritif à la Française
Apéritif à la Française Dubai are taking over the amphitheatre and gardens at The Westin Mina Seyahi this Saturday for a French themed market and festival. The one-off French themed event will celebrate all the culinary goodness of the country with live food stations, a BBQ and food trucks to get tucking into.
The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, 12pm to 10pm, Sat November 18, free entry. Tel: (04) 399 4141. More info on website
15. Take the kids to circus school at Dragon Mart 2
Dragon Mart is set to host a Kids’ Fun Fair from 16 to 25 November every day from 2pm to 10pm. Children can look forward to a line-up of games including Basketball Hoop Shot, Coconut Shy, Knock Down Cans and Ring Toss, set up on the ground floor at Dragon Mart 2. In addition, kids and adults will be able to learn creative circus artistry at a three-day Circus School from 16 to 18 November. Activities include hulahoop, juggling and more.
Dragon Mart 2, Nov 16 to Nov 18, 2pm to 10pm, free. Tel: (04) 390 9999 More info on website
16. Celebrate Dhow & Anchor turning 20 with Dhs20 drinks all day
Stalwart British pub Dhow & Anchor is turning 20 and celebrating with a weekend of festivities. There will be happy hour drinks from 12pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday, and all house pouring drinks priced at Dhs20 on Saturday. It will be served up alongside complimentary British canapes as well as live music and a cake cutting.
Dhow & Anchor, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Beach Road, Sat 9am to 2am. Tel: (04) 406 8999. More info on website
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