Things to do in Dubai 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.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
Cardio Pilates
Dubai’s first dedicated cardio pilates studio is open in Media City, and What’s On has had a sneak peek at the new venue and even a one-to-one session with Matt Field – the UK-based trainer to the stars who is bringing his signature approach to pilates to Mojo Body Fitness.
Mojo Body Fitness Studio is due to open on January 27. Suite 703-4, Concord Tower, Media City, Dubai. Tel: (800) 656696.ilovemymojo.com
Get a suit fitted
It’s awards season in Hollywood, and while the chances of you earning a late invite to the most spectacular party of the year remain pretty slim, we thought it might be good to give yourself a showbiz makeover in the form of your own made to measure suit.
Threads & Tailors, Shop No 4, Ajyal Building, opposite Lulu Hypermarket, Al Barsha 1, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3477719. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. threadsandtailors.com
Ballet classes
Perhaps it has always been a dream of yours to move like a ballerina but it just seems too much like hard work? Well James and Alex Dance Studios has just the answer with their drop-in classes – for beginners and improvers – on offer, allowing you to attend as much or as little as your schedule allows. They take place every Wednesday 6-7pm and Saturday 10.30-1130am, amd cost Dhs65. For those committed souls, 12 classes can be bought for Dhs720.
James and Alex Dance Studios, Concord Tower, Media City, Dubai. Tel: (04) 447 0773. Metro: Nakheel. facebook.com/Jamesandalex
Beachside Challenge
Fitness First are hosting an innovative beach-side session of X-Fit on Saturday January 25, offering residents a day-out in the sunshine and introducing them to high intensity functional training. Coaches will introduce participants to specialised combining a variety of functional movements such as swimming and running on the sand. The event, which runs from 10am-12.30pm at Jumeirah Beach Park, is free to all. For more information visit facebook.com/fitnessfirstme
EAT
Ananta, Oberoi
The world moves pretty fast these days. Thank goodness, then, for the Indian restaurant Ananta at The Oberoi, which has a special menu for one week only that celebrates the ancient art of slow cooking. Chef Dirham Haque is taking up the residency in Business Bay to demonstrate dum pukht, a culinary tradition that began in the royal kitchens of Awadh in India in the 18th century. You can now experience the food and the aromas that got Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daulah’s taste buds all fired up by trying the dum pukht menu at Ananta, which runs January 22-31. Choose from an a la carte menu of dum pukht dishes or try the Awadh Thali for Dhs300 per person. You can see our man Rob cook sum dum pukht right here.
The Oberoi Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, daily 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 444 1444. Metro: Business Bay. oberoidubai.com
Q43 Brunch
The new Media City hotspot has already got its feet well under the table of Dubai’s social scene, and now it has launched a brunch to further cement itself among the elite. And it comes with a twist. Pitching itself at those who would rather lie in, the Q43 brunch kicks off at 2pm and lasts through to 6pm, serving up a three-course selection starting with tapas and sushi served to you at your table, followed by an Asian infused carvery including lamb, chicken and teriyaki beef. It tops off with cheeses and desserts, all for a cost of Dhs350 with drinks.
Q43, Media One Hotel, Office Tower, Media City, Dubai. Tel: (05) 6102 4298. Metro: Nakheel. facebook/Q43Dubai.
BURNS NIGHT SPECIAL
Rivington Grill, Madinat Jumeirah
What better place to celebrate the best of Britain that the What’s On awards’ Best British restaurant, the Rivington Bar and Grill, who this Burns Night are offering diners a traditional Burns Supper with a four-course set menu for Dhs450, including a three-hour wine and beer package, accompanied with traditional entertainment of poetry readings and the iconic Address to the Haggis. The cock-a-leekie soup is not be missed, while mains (haggis) and dessert (Cranachan) will deliver a swift one-two of Loch Ness freshness. A course of oatcakes and cheese will close the evening. The Lost Distillery Company will also be attendance, providing whisky tasting between each course on the Roof Terrace.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3666464. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. rivingtongrill.ae
The Ivy
From January 19 up to the marquee night of January 25 – Burns’ birthday – The Ivy at Emirates Towers are offering a traditional three course menu in honour of the Bard of Ayrshire for just Dhs200 per person. There are options aplenty, but we strongly recommend kicking off with Cullen skink, a creamy and full flavoured Scottish soup, or even ’Rumbledethumps’, and following it with whole baby chicken with haggis, neeps (that’s turnips to you and me), and other vegetables. For dessert, there are no deep fried Mars bars here, though you fill find chocolate cranachan or clootie dumpling.
The Boulevard, Emirates Towers, Dubai. January 19-January 25. Tel: (04) 3198767. Metro: Emirates Towers. theivy.ae
Reform Social and Grill
While this gorgeous spot in The Lakes can’t promise a repeat of the bagpipes performance lavished upon the guests – by a particularly jovial diner – they will deliver an authentic Scottish menu, which includes traditional soups and smoked fish, haggis, skirlie mash and tipsy laird. They’ll even present you with a scroll containing one of Burns’ most popular poems upon arrival.\
Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, Dubai. Saturday January 25. Tel: (04) 4542 638. reformsocialgrill.ae
AUSTRALIA DAY
Bidi Bondi
The clue is in the name. This is the No 1 Aussie spot in Dubai, so head down on January 26 for two-for-one on all Australian beers – and we don’t mean Fosters! – throughout the day, as well as a bonus slice of Down Under, with the live streaming of the TripleJ Hottest 100, an Australian broadcasting event equal in size to the Eastenders Christmas special in the UK. After that, there will also be live performances in house.
Shoreline Apartments, The Palm, Dubai. Tel: (04) 427 0515. 10am-midnight. Taxi: Shoreline Apts. facebook.com/bidibondi.palmshoreline
Yalumba
Yalumba’s team of chefs are laying on a special Auusie BBQ on January 24 between 12.30pm-3.30pm, complete with Aussie beers and a variety of the finest Australian wines. The mouth-watering buffet comes complete with unlimited champagne and other selected beverages, all for Dhs499. A DJ will keep you entertained throughout, including during happy hour from 3.30pm-7.30pm.
Le Méridien Dubai, Garhoud, Dubai. Tel: (o4) 702 2328. Taxi: Le Méridien, Airport. yalumba-dubai.com
Urban Bistro
Media City’s coolest lunch spot is calling all Australians to try their special three-course menu (available for lunch and dinner) for just Dhs89 all weekend. Choose from a selection of Australian-inspired dishes such as the appetizing Salt and Pepper Squid with Chilli Jam or a delicious Barbecue Chicken Salad for starters. Indulge in an Australian Lamb Shank slow braised with Purple Potatoes, Root Vegetables and Thyme Jus or an Aussie Burger. For sweet endings, enjoy a Lamington Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream or the mouth-watering Blueberry Scone with Clotted Cream.
CNN building, Media City, Dubai. Tel: (04) 362 4330. Metro: Nakheel. Taxi: CNN Buidling. urbanbistro.ae
Barasti
On top of the Aussie BBQ and beverages, beach bar Barasti is giving guests to their Australia Day celebrations on Saturday 25 six separate live performances from Marty Metcalfe, Marky Marc, DJ Venus, Tom Ferguson, Soto and Dave Simeon. There will also be themed games and activities throughout, including by the sea. And it’s free all day.
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai Marina, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3993333. Metro: Dubai Marina. lemeridien-minaseyahi.com
Zero Gravity
Five-time Olympic beach volleyball champion Natalie Cook will be the guest of honor at Big Day Out on Friday January 24, and will be joined by INXS frontman Jon Stevens. The winner of Australian idol, Guy Sebastian, completes the hat-trick of familiar faces at the event, which costs Dhs300 (under 12s go free). Kicking off at 11.30am, the celebrations will run until 8pm, and will include plenty of beach activities for all the family, a gourmet BBQ and a performance by the Tap Dogs.
ENTERTAINMENT
Street Night Art
Al Quoz is getting set to host the city’s first ever Street Night Art – Dubai’s biggest ever outdoor gallery showcasing the work of local and international artists. Further cementing its reputation as Dubai’s most exciting cultural hub, an entire street in Al Quoz will be closed down on the night of Friday January 24 to make way for almost 50 artists, who will be entertaining the crowds with live painting, music, a break-dancing competition, beat boxing, open-mic sessions and performance art. For more information, click here.
Cinema
This week is a bumper one for new releases, with no less than seven films worth checking out. From I Frankenstein to How I Live Now, and from Ride Along to Devil’s Due, we have all the latest trailers right here as well as a giveaway to win gold standard and 4D tickets for VOX releases.
Dubai Marathon
Set against perhaps one of the best backdrops of any city circuit in the world, the Duabi Marathon will once again take over Downtown this Friday January 24. A record turnout – surpassing the 2013 total of 19,837 from 145 different nationalities – of fun-runners and some of the world’s leading long-distance champions will gather at the start line on Umm Suqeim Road at at 7am. As well as a full morning of running and activity on the roads around Dubai, there will be a wide range of entertainment around the Marathon Fun Zone. For more details on the route, click here.
Lloyd
American R&B star Lloyd makes his way to Dubai on January 24 to light the candles on No.1 Events’ fifth anniversary celebrations. To hear more from him, click here.
N’Dulge, Atlantis, The Palm. Tel: (050) 7381388. Taxi: Atlantis, The Palm. January 24, 9pm-3am. Dhs150, ladies free before 11pm.
Texas
Scottish rockers Texas will perform at Irish Village, bringing their radio-friendly, sing-a-long hits like Say What You Want and In a Lifetime to the stage. Ahead of the appearance at Irish Village, lead singer Sharleen Spiteri spoke at length about the band and her own personal experiences.
Texas, The Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai, January 23, doors open 7pm, show starts 9pm, Dhs175. Tel (04) 2824750. Metro: GGICO. theirishvillage.com