Your guide to the next three days in the nation’s capital, including new movie releases, exhibitions, live music and lots more

Thursday September 28

Say prost at the du Forum

The city’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration is organised by the Crowne Plaza on Yas Island, although it takes place in the du Forum. It’s back for a fifth year and you can expect the usual selection of German beverages and a huge food menu, including bratwurst and sauerkraut. There’ll be prize draws as well, plus live music. Finally, there’ll be an Oktoberfest themed brunch at the du Forum on the Friday, running from 12.30pm to 4pm.
September 28 and 29
du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 7pm to 2am, Fri 7pm to 2am, Dhs99 to Dhs325. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: du Forum. yasisland.ae

Check out Hajj: Memories Of A Journey

Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, is celebrated at a new exhibition this month at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Hajj: Memories Of A Journey tells the story with artefacts, photos, multimedia displays and art installations. Inside you’ll find pieces from private and public collections but also contributions from the general public – Abu Dhabi’s Tourism & Culture Authority has been collecting souvenirs, gifts and keepsakes from pilgrims in the capital who have made the spiritual trip to the Saudi Arabian city, which will be showcased in a gallery at the mosque (such as souvenirs gifted by family and friends upon their arrival from Mecca).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 4191919. Taxi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. szgmc.ae

Give your eyes some TLC

Pampering in a staggeringly quick 15 minutes, the Anti-Ageing Eye Care treatment at Thalgo Spa gently massages the eye contour area to help reduce the effects of ageing such as wrinkles and dark circles.
Abu Dhabi Country Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, Dhs140. Tel: (02) 6668885. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Country Club. adcountryclub.com

Watch Flatliners at the cinema

“Today is a good day to die!” Cinema-goers of a certain age will fondly remember the famous line from the 1990 cult thriller about a group of young medical students who temporarily kill themselves in the name of scientific discovery. And just like its predecessor, this high-octane, millennial-friendly reboot sees Courtney (Ellen Page) and her fellow students discover that defibrillating their way back from the afterlife produces dark consequences. Kiefer Sutherland reprises his role as Nelson, adding fresh intrigue for old fans.

Friday September 29

Dance the night away at Cachée

A pool party on Saadiyat, Cachée features live performers, gourmet food, fire shows and DJs. Swimwear is essential for this one, as you’ll be making good use of the pool. It only launched in July, and previous DJs have included Saif and Sound, DJ SLIM, and DJ KaBoo on the night.
Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 2am, Dhs200, Dhs80
ladies. Tel: (02) 6563500. Taxi: Saadiyat Beach Club. saadiyatbeachclub.ae

Eat brunch and rock out at the Sportsman’s Arms

Friday nights are inspired by the American city of Boston here – the Boston Brunch menu features smoked haddock fish cakes to start, while the mains include Murphy’s beef Irish stew and fish ’n’ chips, plus traditional roast dishes served with lamb, beef or turkey. It’s also ideal for music fans – once a month it coincides with the pub’s Sportsman’s Rocks event, where a rock band performs classic and modern hits. Tonight’s live music entertainment is provided by Abu Dhabi-based band The Sandtunes.
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, Fri 7pm to 10pm, Dhs195 with soft drinks, Dhs275 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 4034235. Taxi: Tennis Centre at ZSC. sportsmanszsc.com

Oktoberfest at the Sofitel Corniche

The Sofitel is serving German drinks and dishes this month to celebrate Oktoberfest at Grills@Chill’O. There’s cheese fondue and a wurst platter to eat.
Until October 15
Sofitel Corniche, Al Markiziyah Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 8137777. Taxi: Sofitel. sofitel.com

Liquid Rain pool party

The party at Aloft is the stuff of legends. Liquid Rain takes place at the hotel’s pool and it attracts top DJs and dancers. This season the hotel has introduced a foam cannon to soak revellers, but that has come at a price – the LED giant robot that used to wander around is no more. Sad times. Liquid Rain has our seal of approval – it is a former What’s On Awards winner.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am, Dhs100, ladies free until midnight, Dhs50 after. Tel: (02) 6545193. Taxi: Adnec. aloftabudhabi.com

McGettigan’s Oktoberfest celebrations

Dhs99 gets you German dishes including sausage, sauerkraut, currywurst and more at the capital’s Irish pub in Al Raha.
Until October 4
Al Raha Beach Hotel, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, daily 5.30pm to 3am, Dhs99. Tel: (02) 6524333. Taxi: Al Raha Beach Hotel. mcgettigans.com

Beautiful butterflies at NYU

Ideal for kids, Italian dance performance Farfalle, by Compagnia TPO, tells the story of the life cycle of butterflies – your little ones will get the chance to join the performers on stage. There are two performances on Thursday, two on Friday and three on Saturday.
September 28 to 30
NYUAD Arts Center, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6284000. Taxi: NYUAD. nyuad.nyu.edu

Eat lots of oysters

The JW Steakhouse at the Marriott Hotel Downtown is offering all-you-can-eat Tsarskaya oysters every Thursday and Friday during September.
Marriott Hotel Downtown, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, Dhs120. Tel: (02) 3047777. Taxi: Marriott Downtown, near Al Wahda Mall. marriott.com

Work up a sweat at Get Driver Fit

This month sees the return of Get Driver Fit, a series of free fitness classes organised by Yasalam and Daman Activelife to promote the F1 racing weekend in November. Returning for a fifth year, there will be seven weeks of classes taking place, including yoga, high-intensity interval training, boxing, zumba and lots more. The classes will take place at several venues in the capital, including Yas Beach, Yas Links, Yas Marina Circuit, Khalifa City, Saadiyat Island and Umm Al Emarat Park.
Various locations including Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, timings vary, free. Taxi: Yas Marina Circuit. facebook.com/GetDriverFit, yasmarinacircuit.com, yasalam.ae

Party at Maya Fridays

Never been to Al Maya Island? It’s a 10-minute boat ride away from the mainland of Abu Dhabi and once there you’ll find the Al Maya Island Resort – and every Friday, you’ll also find a beach party taking place on the island’s white sands and by its pool, appropriately called Maya Fridays. Local DJs such as Chad Funk and Stew Magoo regularly spin the wheels of steel, bashing out dance and house tunes. Ladies get free entry before 1pm, Etihad staff before 2pm. Table packages for drinks and food, such as mixed fajitas, are also available, costing between Dhs1,500 and Dhs3,500. Guests must be aged 21 and up.
Al Maya Island, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 9pm, Dhs100, ladies free entry before 1pm. Tel: (02) 6677777. facebook.com/BPM.AL.MAYA

Party and pool in Al Ain

What’s On was impressed by Aloft Al Ain’s rooftop bar when we reviewed it – the food’s of a good standard and the views of Jebel Hafeet are impressive. Now they’re holding pool parties every Friday. The price includes access to Eat, Sip, Swim & Repeat, two drinks and unlimited refills from the barbecue.
Aloft Al Ain, Al Towwaya, Al Ain, 5pm to 9am, Dhs125. Tel: (03) 7138888. Taxi: Al Ain football stadium. aloftalain.com

Saturday September 30

German tunes and sausages at Marriott Hotel Al Forsan

Khalifa City residents can head to the Marriott and listen to tunes performed by a German band. The hotel’s bar Appaloosa is the venue for this year’s Oktoberfest festivities, although there’ll also be a ‘brew garden’ if you want to sit alfresco.
September 28 to October 6
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 2014131. Taxi: Al Forsan Sports Resort. marriott.com

Try an Express Facial at Hiltonia Spa

Check out Hiltonia Spa’s 30-minute mini-facial, ideal for those of youlooking for a quick cleanse and light exfoliation. It’s suitable for sensitive, dry, oily, combination and acneprone skin. A therapist will gently massage your skin with a pore-refining mask and apply moisturiser tailored to your skin type.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, Dhs165. Tel: (02) 6924324. Taxi: Hilton Corniche. hilton.com

Get a discount on physiotherapy

Got a niggly sports injury? If you’re a teacher, you can get a 20 per cent discount at BounceBack Physiotherapy this month.
BounceBack Physiotherapy, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 5651212. Taxi: Yas Marina. bounceback.ae

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