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.

THURSDAY

See the Beatles, live! (sort of)
Unless you have a time machine, your chances of seeing a Beatles concert ended when the band split back in 1970. But Abu Dhabians can go and see the next best thing tonight on Saadiyat Island. Tribute band Get Back: The Story Of The Beatles, performs at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and they’re a group that former Beatles producer George Martin has heaped praise on, claiming the vocal resemblance between the band and the real line-up is ‘uncanny’. He’s also worked with Get Back in the studio. The band hails from Dublin and also performed for Queen Elizabeth’s birthday in London in 2004.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Oct 9, 6.30pm, Dhs80. Taxi: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. sbgolfclub.ae/en, getbackshow.com

Enjoy Thursday brunch
Thursday night is becoming the new Friday in Abu Dhabi. Try the outdoor brunch at Aloft’s Mai Café rooftop pool lounge. Live music will be provided by rock duo Smiley Blue.

Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat, Abu Dhabi, Thur 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Dhs135. Tel: (02) 6545193. Taxi: Aloft Abu Dhabi, near ADNEC. aloftabudhabi.com

Grape and cheese night at Fanr
This neat café in Manarat Al Saadiyat holds a grape and cheese night every Thursday, paring beverages from around the globe with a selection of fromages.

Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 11pm, Dhs135. Tel: (02) 6575888. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat.

New DJs at Bentley
Bentley Bistro & Bar has added two international DJs to its Thursday and Friday nights. DJ Nishan, a well-known decks guru and event organiser in Dubai with more than 15 years’ experience of DJing in the UAE, will be playing EDM, house, progressive and chillout tunes on a Thursday night, while DJ Maks, who has performed in London, Paris, Dubai and Cairo, will be spinning the wheels of steel on Fridays. You can expect deep house, techno, eclectic house and funk from him.

Bentley Bistro and Bar, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur to Fri 8am to 1am. Tel: (02) 6262131. Taxi: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island. bentleybistro.com

No White Walls
Make sure you check out this popular exhibition showcasing local and international artists who have made the UAE their home. While you’re perusing the multimedia pieces, enjoy great views of the Abu Dhabi Creek and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6543333. Taxi: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. fairmont.com

Floating Films
Watch a movie while floating on a lilo in Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s pool, at one of their excellent Floating Film evenings. Tonight’s screening is a double header of Monsters Vs Aliens and Monsters University. Pizza, pastas, burgers and ice cream are available on the night.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi, Thur 6pm. Tel: (02) 5588990. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, near The Westin hotel. adgolfclub.com

FRIDAY

The Wonderland Show at Marina Mall (last chance)
Alice In Wonderland? On ice? Yep, you read that right. The classic fairy tale gets a reboot at this show on the ice rink in Marina Mall. There are three performances daily until October 10 and meet and greet sessions at 6pm and 8pm daily as well.

Marina Mall, Corniche Road, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, free, daily 5pm, 7pm, 9pm. Tel: (02) 6812310. Taxi: Marina Mall. marinamall.ae

Afya BBQ
Traders Hotel’s Weekend BBQ beach event features an all-you-can eat buffet served on the sand overlooking the Maqta Creek. From 6pm on Friday, Dhs140 gets you entry to the Afya Beach Lounge, dishes such as Arabic mixed grill, and there’s also plenty of activities on offer for kids, including cooking classes, clowns and a bouncy castle.

Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs140. Tel: (02) 5108818. Taxi: Traders Hotel. shangri-la.com/abudhabi/traders

Get well groomed
Time-strapped gents can take advantage of extended hours at salon The Lounge, which now opens on Fridays from 3pm to 9pm.

The Lounge, Villa 1/281 Al Khaleej Al Arabi St, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur 11am to 1pm, Fri 3pm to 9pm. Tel: (02) 6677337. thelounge.ae.

Watch live international football: Australia v UAE
Australia take on the UAE in a friendly match at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. Expect to see Premier League stars such as Crystal Palace (and Australia) skipper Mile Jedinak.

Muroor Road and Al Saada Street, Al Ittihad, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (800) 529472. Taxi: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. socceroos.com.au

Swiss Art Gate Exhibition at Emirates Palace
In need of an art fix? Head to Mezzaluna at Emirates Palace to admire work by Swiss/Irish artist Claudio Viscardi. He’s influenced by Italian Renaissance painters. The event is co-organised by Swiss Art Gate.

Until November 15

Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, daily 12.30pm to 7pm (viewings by appointment only: text you name and requested date and time of visit to (050) 2251783. Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Emirates Palace. kempinski.com. swissartgateuae.com

Global grapes at La Cava
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi’s wine cellar will showcase bottles from a different region at a themed event every month. October is Spain’s turn, November is French wine and December is Italian month.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Dhs150. Tel: (02) 8135552. Taxi: Rosewood, Al Maryah Island. rosewoodhotels.com

SATURDAY

Try a new beach club
The InterContinental Abu Dhabi has a new luxury beach club. Bayshore boasts 300m of natural beach front, a stunning infinity pool, a swim-up bar and a separate children’s pool and play area, plus a restaurant.

InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to 8pm. Tel: (02) 6935285. Taxi: InterContinental Abu Dhabi. ihg.com

Pumpkin month
It might not feel like autumn but at least you can enjoy the season’s flavours, with a menu based on everyone’s favourite bright orange veg at BiCE.

Jumeirah At Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 8115888. Taxi: Jumeirah At Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com

Party the night away at Eight
The revamped nightclub reopened last weekend and runs house night ELEV8 on Saturdays.

Souk at Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, daily 8pm to 4am. Tel: (050) 1446662. Taxi: Souk at Qaryat Al Beri. facebook.com/eightabudhabi

Have a facial for charity
The Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial is said to reduce wrinkles by up to 94 per cent in one treatment. In October, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dhs35 from every facial will be donated to Bosom Buddies, an Abu Dhabi-based cancer support group.

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, Dhs675. Tel: (02) 6561146. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves.abu-dhabi. anantara.com

See a new exhibition
Find out how coral reefs are being destroyed by pollution at The Crochest Coral Reef Project, a new exhibition at New York University Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Campus. The project, started 10 years ago by twin sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim in Los Angeles, features giant wool crochets that resemble reefs.

NYU Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 9pm, until Dec 4, free. Tel: (02) 6284309. Taxi: NYU Campus Saadiyat Island. nyuad.nyu.edu/en, crochetcoralreef.org.

Eat burgers and win prizes
Burger Fuel wants you to eat meat and win some prizes. To celebrate the launch of its new BBQ Roadster burger, they are giving away scratch and win cards with every Roadster purchase. The good news is everyone wins a prize ­– and while some are simply Burger Fuel goodies and items off the menu, there are also driving experiences at Dubai Autodrome and PlayStation 4 consoles and games up for grabs.

Various locations including The Galleria, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 10.30am-11pm, Thu to Fri 10.30am to midnight. Tel: (02) 673 8779. Taxi: The Galleria. burgerfuel.com