17 things to do in Dubai this weekend
Seafood brunches, indie nights, health workshops, volunteer days – there’s plenty to be doing in Dubai this weekend…
THURSDAY 10
1. Games galore
Starting today, and running throughout the weekend, Games 15 will give fans early access to the latest games and demos from Sony, PlayStation, XBox, Ubisoft and many more.
You can expect exclusive previews for the likes of Halo 5, Forza 6, Gears Of War 4 and more. Plus, ESL – the world’s largest eSports company – will hold one of the largest gaming tournaments to have ever taken place in the region. Six of the world’s best professional Counter Strike: Global Offensive teams will compete for a purse of nearly Dhs1 million. Adding their spin to the event is an all-star commentary crew including Joe Miller, Lauren ‘Pansy’ Scott and Leigh ‘Deman’ Smith.
2. See Bob Sinclar at Cavalli Club
The king of happy disco strings is playing at Cavalli Club’s Sprinkle Party Night on Thursday.
The French DJ/producer – who’s the man behind the you’ll-know-the-words Love Generation – is sure to put on a good show. Expect extreme glamour in the crowd.
Interestingly, the night after he plays Dubai he’s doing a gig in Switzerland – the man is clearly above jet lag.
If you make it down you’re sure to hear this tune:
Cavalli Club, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, 10pm-3am, Thursday September 10, tickets at the door from Dhs100-Dhs250. Tel: (04) 3329260.
3. Night owl? Get half price drinks
Contemporary Mexican spot Fuego is offering 50 per cent off drinks from 11pm-2am every day in September.
Plus, if you reserve a table anytime in September you’ll get 20 per cent off your food (you had us at guacamole).
Fuego, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, throughout September. Tel: (04) 4490977. More info on website.
FRIDAY 11
4. Get crafty
Arte craft market is basically like Etsy, just in person. Head down if you fancy picking up some new handmade soap, home baking, natural cosmetics, paintings or adorkable stuffed toys.
Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, 12pm-7pm, Friday September 11 (and 25th). See the website for more.
5. Get clued up on health
Nutrition experts Youition are holding a two hour workshop on Friday that will help you decode food labels to make sure you’re fuelling your body with good food (there’s a lot of trickery in food packaging and this will help you see right through it all).
Surf House Dubai, Umm Suqeim, 3pm-5pm, Friday September 11, Dhs150. Tel: (055) 1581490
6. Seafood brunch, plus pool and beach
This weekend sees the return of Sofitel The Palm’s relaxed Moana seafood brunch (which – the best bit – includes pool and beach access). The food comes out to the table in tasting portions, stars include Yellowfin tuna tataki, grilled Atlantic sea bass and baked oyster with cauliflower cream, while desserts include Chocolate mousse with saffron jelly and Roasted hazlenuts with Chantilly cream.
Moana, Sofitel The Palm Dubai, 12.30pm-3pm every Friday, Dhs100 for children aged six-11 (children under six free); Dhs350 for soft drinks and pool and beach access, Dhs495 for selected beverages and pool and beach access. Tel: (04) 455 5656.
7. Find bargains at a flea market
Tucked between Starbucks and Fitness First in Uptown Mirdiff, Friday night will see deals aplenty at Dubai Flea Market. There’ll be second-hand goods galore – everything from old books and DVDs to artwork and shoes (quality obviously varies).
Promenade Courtyard, Uptown Mirdiff, 6pm-10pm, Friday September 11, no entry fee for visitors. See the website for more.
8. Go to an indie night
Dubai indie nights Step On and Loaded are going head to head in a battle tonight, so if you’re a fan of anything from James Brown to Rudimental, Pulp, Hot Chip and The Smiths, this is the place you should be on Friday night.
Cult films and cartoons will be on the projector, the AC will be turned up to the max and Casa Latina drink deals will be on offer.
Casa Latina, Ibis Al Barsha, 9pm-2.45am, Friday September 11th, free entry. See Facebook page for more.
9. Check out The Other Side
There’s welcome movement on Dubai’s live scene with the introduction of The Other Side, held at new music venue And Lounge in Dubai Marina. The events are “inspired by the live music scenes of Williamsburg Brooklyn, SXSW Austin, Shoreditch London and New Orleans”. This Friday features Z The People: born in Washington, he claims his “soul roots” are in Palestine, adding: “Nationality is not important to me, but culture is. The deep traditions of American soul and Palestinian culture shape the way I express myself.”
Also on stage on Friday night is Egyptian/Syrian electronic vocalist Bosaina, who is known for her work with Cairo collective Kairo Is Koming.
And Lounge, The Address, Dubai Marina, 8pm, Friday September 11, Dhs75. Tel: (050) 4589439. Metro: JLT. Check out the Facebook page for more.
10. See Dubai’s only female wrestler take on the lads
Remember Joelle Hunter? Well she’s wrestling The Vigilante tonight at the Dubai Pro Wrestling Academy’s fight night.
We’ll totally be rooting for her, as he’s beaten her twice already and we love an underdog (doesn’t everyone?).
HM Fitness Centre, Dubai Bowling Centre, Meydan Road. 7pm, Friday September 11, Dhs50. Tel: 056 6804846.
11. Feast on South Indian indie tunes
Raag n Rock is on tonight, and it’s bringing the coolest rising music stars of South India to one place. The line-up includes Masala Coffee, Job Kurian, Neha Nair, Yakzanand Vidwan.
Al Nasr Leisureland, Oud Metha, gate opens 7.30pm, show starts 8.30pm, Friday September 11, tickets from Dhs80-Dhs200. Check out website for more.
Here’s a glimpse of the tunes on offer:
12. Get amongst it with some British rap
For a touch of grime on your Friday night – go on then – go see Brit rapper Lethal Bizzle at Atlantis. His show’s sure to be fast, energetic and very Pow!
N’DULGE, Atlantis The Palm, 10pm-3am, Friday September 11, Dhs100. Tickets here.
13. Party at Night Vibes (the tent edition)
London DJ Nadia Ksaiba flies in to give Dubai a taste of her poppy electronics at this tented terrace event. Her tunes are more than a touch 80s, in a delightful way.
The tent ensures you’ll stay cool, but there’ll also be an outdoor area on the night if you fancy getting a bit balmy for a while.
Tamanya Terrace, RadissonBlu Hotel, Dubai Media City. 7pm-2am, Friday September 11. Free entry + 2 drinks from 7pm-8pm, Dhs50 + 2 drinks from 8pm-9pm, Dhs80 from 9pm-11pm, Dhs100 for guys after 11pm. More info on Facebook page.
SATURDAY 12
14. Help out at water for workers
Head to Collegiate American School at 10am today (in your own transport) to help The Sameness Project take water and facecloths around to the workers of Dubai.
This video explains the initiative well:
Collegiate American School, Umm Suqeim 2 (map here), from 10am, Saturday September 12. Find out more at the website.
15. Chuckle your weekend away
Frankie’s Comedy Cellar – a bi-weekly showcase of the comedians living in the UAE – returns this Saturday. Line-up includes Tony B Graham, Jd, Omar Shams, Will Robson, Maher “Jokah” and Tai Paschall.
They recommend you arrive early – by say about 6.30pm – to ensure you get a table.
Frankies, JBR The Walk. 7pm-9pm, Saturday 12 September, free entry. More info on Facebook page.
16. Share a name with a Friends character? Get a discount
Hot new gastropub The Black Lion are celebrating the 21st anniversary of the sitcom Friends by giving 20 per cent off food bills to anyone called Monica, Ross, Phoebe, Chandler or Joey. They’re also selling their pizzas at 2-4-1 from 11.30pm-3am throughout September (why this deal? Well it’s in honour of Joey, who doesn’t share food).
Ground floor, The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road. Offers throughout September. Tel: 04 3592366.
17. Opera night at The Act
What do you get when you combine a 3-course Peruvian cuisine meal and live Baroque opera performances from the Emirates Opera Project? A very cultured yet decadent night out.
The Act, Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. Saturday 12th September, Dhs395 per person with a 3-course set menu, soft drinks included 7pm-midnight. Tel: 04 355 1116. See the website for more.
