Your guide to all the events taking place in the nation’s capital over the next few days

Thursday August 9

Save money with this month’s What’s On magazine


Inside our August edition you’ll find 100 2-for-1 vouchers to use in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and beyond. There’s dining deals, hotel stays, spa treatments and much more. It’s on sale in all good stores now.

New business lunch at District By Amalfi


If two or three courses at lunch aren’t enough, you can now work your way through a whopping five with District By Amalfi’s new business lunch. On the Italian’s menu you’ll find spiced prawns and margherita pizza, and a mocktail is also included in the Dhs85 price. Pay an additional Dhs25 and you get a glass of house wine or Menabrea beer. You can add a sixth course for an extra Dhs25.
Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thurs 12pm to 4pm, Dhs85. Tel: (800) 101101. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

See a very big shark at the movies!

The Meg is in cinemas from today, and Jason Statham battling a 70-ton shark is the reason why movies exist. Once you’ve accepted the fact that the prehistoric megalodon did not go extinct around two million years ago (which took us all of two seconds) this fun action-adventure plays out like Jaws on steroids or all six Sharknado films whipped up in a blender. But unlike these last two shark series, the scariest fact about the megalodon is that the beast was really that big.

Bar deals at Hakkasan


Hakkasan’s bar has a new deal for August – head here daily after 5pm, and you can get two drinks and a bar bite for Dhs96 as part of its Hakkatini Nights offer. Drinks available include cocktails such as the outlet’s signature ginger martini, and you can try dishes such as Shanghai dumplings or salt and pepper squid.
Emirates Palace, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily 5pm to 8pm, Dhs96. Tel: (02) 6907739. Taxi: Emirates Palace. hakkasan.com

Freestyle it at Bounce


There’s a new way to get a workout at trampoline park Bounce – an X-Park Adventure Challenge Course opens today at the centre. The new freestyle playground features a zip-line, boulder-covered walls and a sea of pipes to climb along. The obstacles can be explored on their owns or navigated as one circuit and the course is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. There are easy-entry points for first-timers as well as challenges for freerunning experts. X-Park promises not only work your body but your brain too, the makers claim – working your way around the obstacles requires quick, instinctive decision-making.
Marina Mall, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Wed, 10am to 10pm, Thur to Fri 10am to midnight, Sat 10am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3211400. Taxi: Marina Mall. bounce.ae

Friday August 10

Funky brunch at Dine


The recently launched Funky Friday brunch at Aloft has soups, a dedicated bread station and grilled lobster. There’s also a protein salad counter where you can build your own salad using chickpeas, quinoa, lentils and pomegranate seeds. Add just Dhs1 to get unlimited beer and wine as well.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Adnec, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, Fri, 12pm to 3pm, from Dhs159. Tel: (02) 6545121. Taxi: Adnec. aloftabudhabi.com

L’Eto now open in the capital


The capital has a new upmarket café – L’Eto is a brand from London that you’ll be familiar with if you’re a regular visitor to Dubai (there are three branches there), and the first outlet in Abu Dhabi opened in the middle of July on Al Maryah Island. It’s a name with a reputation for serving good pancakes, cakes, salads and plenty more – buy our September issue for our full review.
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Fri 9am to midnight. Tel: (02) 4413318. Taxi: The Galleria. letocaffe.ae

Fresh brekkie options at No.57


Hip café No.57 has launched a new healthy menu – diners can pick from five breakfast dishes and coffee or fresh juice. Options include egg white omelette, avocado toast, acai bowl, breakfast banana split and Middle Eastern-style poached eggs with sweet potatoes.
Al Marasy Apartments, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, daily 9.30am to 12.30pm, Dhs55. Tel: (02) 4416100. Taxi: Al Marasy Apartments, Al Bateen Marina. no57.co

New brunch deal at Ornina Oriental Lounge


The Middle Eastern outlet and What’s On Awards winner has unveiled a new Arabic brunch. There will be a selection of cold and hot starters and main courses will include tagine lamb with prunes, kofta in tomato sauce, couscous chicken and mixed grills. You’ll finish with traditional desserts and fresh fruits. Drinks are served separately.
Al Bandar, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi, Sat 2pm to 5pm, Dhs99. Tel: (05) 6969312. Taxi: Al Bandar. facebook.com/OrninaOrientalLounge

Saturday August 11

Say hello to SpongeBob and friends


Get ready for sing-alongs, activities and meet-and-greets with your kids’ favourite television characters at The Nickelodeon Experience. It’s another Abu Dhabi Summer Season event and you can expect performances from Dora The Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol.
Until August 15
Marina Mall, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, timings TBC, from Dhs60. Tel: (02) 6212788. Taxi: Marina Mall. visitabudhabi.ae

Dance and culture at Around The World


Bawadi Mall in the garden city of Al Ain is hosting Around The World during Abu Dhabi Summer Season – it’s a series of folklore dance performances featuring troupes from six countries, including Poland, Serbia, Peru and Armenia.
July 5 to August 14
Bawadi Mall, Meyzad Road, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, daily 5.30pm to 10pm, free. Tel: (03) 7840000. Taxi: Bawadi Mall. bawadimall.com

A summer of sport at ZSC


Zayed Sports City is hosting the annual Abu Dhabi Sports Festival this summer. Take your friends and choose from a variety of sports including basketball, football and table tennis. They’re suitable for all fitness levels. Football pitches cost Dhs300 per hour, volleyball bookings are Dhs150 per hour and walk-ins are accepted subject to availability. Children aged between four and twelve can purchase Open Play session tickets for Dhs21 and parents, nannies and younger siblings can come for free.
Until August 20
Zayed Sports City, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, 10am to 11pm, from Dhs21. Tel: (02) 4034555. Taxi: Zayed Sports Centre. zsc.ae

Local art at Al Qattara


There’s a new exhibition running in Al Ain this summer that’s all about community. Summer Exhibition at Al Qattara Arts Centre is showcasing 28 artworks by 23 emerging UAE-based artists and students. Running until late September, each piece offers insight into how every artist views their community, society and the world using a variety of mediums including oils, pastels and digital art. The exhibition also includes pieces by local Al Qattara students, fitting given that since opening in 2011 the centre has offered locals a year-long public programme including exhibitions, activities and art workshops.
Until September 25
Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Ain, daily 8am to 8pm, free. Tel: (03) 7118225. Taxi: near Al Ain Sports Club. visitabudhabi.ae

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