18 things to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi
What’s On has a full list of all the things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, including workshops, deals, sports, entertainment and new openings.
It’s the start of the weekend, folks! But if you’re not sure what you’re doing yet, don’t worry. What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.
THURSDAY OCT 15
New sushi menu at Mikado
Check out Mikado Café’s new four-course set menu including tuna nigiri.
Al Hana Centre, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur, noon to 11pm, from Dhs100. Tel: (02) 6677557. Taxi: Al Hana Centre, near La Brioche café.
mikadocafe.com
Build a city from cardboard
You get to be the architect as Polyglot Theatre’s We Built This City sees adults and children create and design their own world from cardboard boxes. There will also be an on-site DJ and performers to help you conquer the giant public construction site.
NYUAD Arts Center, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, timings vary, free, pre-registration required. Taxi: NYUAD Arts Center, East Plaza. nyuad-artscenter.org
Attend a Brewfest
The Chameleon tent at the Fairmont is hosting B.A.B’s Brewfest this weekend, an Oktoberfest-inspired event featuring 30 different hops from around the globe with eight specialty brews from Germany on tap. There are also private booths with PlayStation 4s and a giant TV screen showing live sport.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, Oct 15 to 16, 6pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6543238. Taxi: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. fairmont.com/abu-dhabi
FRIDAY OCT 16
Attend a casting call for a Hollywood movie
Want to star in a movie? An un-named project is holding castings this weekend in Abu Dhabi. The crew are looking for 18 to 30-year-old physically fit men and women of all nationalities. So which film is it? Rumour has it, it could be Brad Pitt’s new flick War Machine, about the US conflict in Afghanistan.
Park Rotana, near Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, Fri to Sat, 2pm to 8pm. Taxi: Park Rotana
Explore the Village Craft And Farmers’ Market
This new market will be hosted every third Friday of the month at Le Méridien hotel in Al Zahiyah. While vendors will be changed weekly, the event is dedicated to selling handmade products and organically grown produce. There will also be a special children’s zone for the little ones and food stalls on offer.
Le Méridien, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, 10am to 4pm. Tel: (056) 6634047. Taxi: Le Méridien. facebook.com/Tiny-Bean-Events
Try Zaytinya’s family-friendly brunch
Head to Lebanese outlet Zaytinya at Al Seef Village Mall for a Friday buffet featuring plenty of traditional dishes including Arabic mixed grills. There’s a kids’ corner showing cartoons on a big TV, plus a face painter and a clown making animals out of balloons.
Al Seef Village Mall, near Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs95 (Dhs35 for kids). Tel: (02) 4474489. Taxi: Al Seef Village Mall. zaytinya.ae
Run for charity at Zayed Sports City
A 5K and 10K fun run at Zayed Sports City will see runners decked out in pink sunnies and tutus. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Al Jalila Foundation.
Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, 7am, Dhs180. Tel: (02) 4034200. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. zsc.ae, premieronline.com
New gaming festival comes to town
Attention all fan boys and girls: a new gaming festival is heading to the capital. The IGN Convention Abu Dhabi is a two-day video game festival that will be hosted at the du Forum and is aimed at gamers, cosplayers, movie buffs and fans of pop culture. The inaugural event will feature gaming workshops, discussion panels, celebrity meet-and-greets and a cosplay tournament.
du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Oct 16 to 17, 2pm to 10pm, Dhs100 to Dhs500. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: du Forum. ignconvention.com/uae
Eat a Filipino brunch
Head to the One to One hotel to try a traditional Filipino buffet featuring the popular samalamig drink made with sago pearls.
One To One Hotel – The Village, Al Nayhan, Abu Dhabi, noon to 4pm, Dhs80. Tel: (02) 4952000. Taxi: One To One, Salam Street. onetoonehotels.com
Buy goodies at a Pink Bazaar
Ladies beauty salon Tips And Toes will host a month-long Pink Bazaar at all their outlets where guests can purchase pink clothing, fashion accessories, trinkets and jewellery.
12 Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, daily, 9am to 9pm, from Dhs15. Tel: (02) 5572255. Taxi: Khalifa City, near Al Yasmina School. tipsandtoes.com
Boa’s new Friday Brunch
Californian steakhouse Boa has joined Abu Dhabi’s ever-growing brunch club. Guests can order off an à la carte menu and enjoy dishes served platter-style at the Eastern Mangroves-based outlet. The menu features charred tuna tartare with capers, Australian Black Angus New York strip steak, French corn-fed chicken breast and apple crumble.
Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs295, Dhs395 with house beverages, Dhs495 with champagne. Tel: (02) 6411500. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves Promenade. boaabudhabi.ae
Pink Pilates
Make your next workout count in more ways than one, with all the proceeds donated to helping fight breast cancer.
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, 5.30pm, Dhs100. Tel: (02) 6570182. Taxi: Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana. rotana.com
SATURDAY OCT 17
Support Breast Cancer Awareness month
Bedashing Beauty Lounge will be donating 30 per cent of their sensual hand and feet treatment sales to an Abu Dhabi-approved cancer support group during October. Valid in all five outlets of the ladies’ spa here in the capital, the treatments eligible for the donation include a caviar manicure, caviar pedicure, seasonal hand or foot treatment, or paraffin delight hands or foot treatment.
Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thur 10am to 9pm, Fri noon to 9pm, Dhs115 to Dhs290. Tel: (02) 4171999. Taxi: Opposite Al Bateen Gardens, next to Mubarak Bin Muhamad School. bedashingbeauty.com
Enjoy pink afternoon tea
Alba Lounge will host a month-long pink afternoon tea service featuring hors d’oeuvres, cranberry scones and rose cream choux. There will also be a guided tasting of two teas, selected to complement the food.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, 2pm to 5pm, Dhs65, Dhs120 for two. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com
New menu at Fanr
Eat some local, organic produce with your next meal at Fanr restaurant on Saadiyat Island. The outlet has debuted a new menu that features items from the kitchen’s very own garden. New dishes include items for breakfast, lunch and dinner such as quinoa porridge with cinnamon, beet salad with crumbled goat cheese, pan-fried sea bream with wilted spinach, and bread and butter pudding.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6575888. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. fanrrestaurant.ae
Learn to cook Arabic dishes
Visit Al Waha restaurant in Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara for a lesson on Arabian cuisine. Guest can make lamb tagine or Umm Ali, an Arabic bread pudding. Students will receive a recipe pack, apron and chopping board. Advanced booking required.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort By Anantara, Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm to 5pm, Dhs550. Tel: (02) 8862088. Taxi: Qasr Al Sarab. qasralsarab.anantara.com
Eat off a new menu at Bentley
Head over to Bentley Bistro & Bar to check out the restaurant’s brand new menu. New dishes include roast rump of lamb and green pea fricasee served with semi dried tomato and garlic, plus beef wellington.
The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 2am. Tel: (02) 6262131. Taxi: Galleria on Al Maryah Island. bentleybistro.com
Get pink nails
Visit The Nail Spa to get some pink nail art dots on your digits and help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (600) 544001. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves Promenade. thenailspa.com