What’s On reviews one of the best bars in Abu Dhabi, at Hilton Capital Grand, Al Madina. Noche is now an al fresco bar in Abu Dhabi.

What’s On has some breaking news: it is no longer hot outside! And the cool temperatures mean only one thing: it’s boom time for the city’s alfresco outlets.

Situated in the Hilton Capital Grand just off of Airport Road is the capital’s newest outdoor outlet, Noche. The bar has had a bit of a facelift and been rebranded a chillout bar and lounge.

Noche started life as a Latin American restaurant and the décor in this curved area – complete with curved black marble high tables and an impressive sandy wall with a huge sun god carved into it – remains the same. But what has changed is the addition of a big outdoor area, with white-framed tables and chairs, decking, palm trees and lots of cool lighting. There are LED cube-shaped seats and LED ice buckets for your drinks. There’s a DJ booth and a huge bar, and LED lights floating on the hotel’s pool. It feels private and exclusive.

The food mainly remains the same, and while the choices are varied (black bean soup, artichoke croquettes and chilli con carne), the quality of the menu doesn’t reach the high standard of the location. But Noche is now calling itself a lounge rather than a restaurant and it’s an ideal spot to party with mates over a weekend.

Hilton Capital Grand, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 2am. Tel: (02) 6170000. Taxi: Hilton Capital Grand, Airport Road. hilton.com

Meanwhile, the alfresco lounge at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort now has a DJ seven nights a week. Sunday and Monday see lounge music from the resident DJ, Tuesday is pop and Wednesday is hits from the 1980s and 1990s.

DJ Chino spins roots reggae on Thursdays, and Friday is R&B and hip hop, while Saturday is Oriental and Arabic music. On the first Saturday of the month, it’s open mic night from 7pm.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Corniche East, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Next to Corniche Hospital. b-loungeabudhabi.com

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort