A full moon party, a hidden bar and the return of Dubai’s brilliant freshers’ fair…

This weekend is so huge, it was almost impossible to choose only 15 highlights. Check out a student-run concert, tuck into a dinner deal, or try a host of new activities at the biggest freshers fair in the city. Whatever you do, we hope you have a great one.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday March 21

1. Tuck into a seafood platter

Seafood lovers should check out Monty’s at Address Montgomerie for their crab shack offering every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For Dhs240, two people can enjoy a platter of crab and seafood accompanied by classic black pepper sauce, garlic and butter or spicy tomato sauce.

Monty’s Crab Shack, Address Montgomerie, Dubai, 5pm to 9pm, Thurs to Sat, Dhs240 for two. Tel: (04) 888 3444. themontgomerie.com

2. Discover a hidden pop-up bar

The Newsstand is hidden away inside the Novotel World Trade Center and runs only on Wednesday and Thursday nights. They want to bring back vinyl music, with a focus on funk, soul and nu disco genres. Check them out for some retro NYC vibes and classic cocktails.

The Newsstand, Blue Bar, Novotel World Trade Center, Dubai, 9pm to 3am, every Weds and Thurs until Ramadan. Tel: (056) 599 9155. newsstanddxb.ae

3. Attend a carbon-free concert

Tiger Fest is a free concert organised by students of Rochester University Dubai and will be the first music and dance festival in the Middle East to be entirely powered by B100 pure biodiesel. The event will take place at Dubai Silicon Oasis HQ and feature performances from Sandstörm, Bad Trip and Void Rupture.

Tiger Fest, Dubai Silicon Oasis HQ, Dubai, 1pm to noon, Thursday March 21, free. tigerfestdxb.com

4. Spend an evening in a garden

DIFC members club, Capital Club, is opening up its garden terrace for non-members on Thursday and Friday evenings. The Botanical Garden provides the perfect pre-dinner aperitif spot with views of Burj Khalifa and Emirates Towers. Open from 6pm, there’s also a DJ to help get you in the weekend spirit.

The Botanical Gardens, Capital Club, Gate Village 3, DIFC, Dubai, 6pm to late Thursdays, 8pm to late Fridays, Dhs70 with one drink. Tel: (04) 364 0111. capitalclubdubai.com

5. Celebrate Holi festival

Celebrate the festival of colours with an authentic Indian experience at Bombay Brasserie. For Dhs250 per person, guests can enjoy a traditional three-course menu from Taj’s signature restaurant with dishes such as Murgh Seekh Kebabs, Dal Makhani and Jhinga Anardana.

Bombay Brasserie, Taj Dubai, Downtown Dubai, 6pm onwards, Thursday March 21, Dhs250 for three courses and soft drinks. Tel: (04) 438 3222. tajhotels.com

Friday March 22

6. Come to Dubai’s biggest freshers’ fair

Join us at Barasti Beach on March 22 for the third annual Try Dubai – the UAE’s first and best official gathering for groups, sports clubs and active brands. The free entry freshers’ fair hosts the city’s most popular clubs and groups, from yoga shalas and sports clubs, to comedy troupes and active apps, and brings them all together in one glorious location. You’ll be able to try out some of the clubs right there in Barasti, before signing up to any membership. You name it, and we’ll probably have it set up at Try Dubai.

Try Dubai, Barasti Beach, Dubai, 11am to 5pm, Friday March 22, free. Tel: (04) 427 3000. Facebook.com

7. Enjoy a festival of grapes

Grapeskin Fest is a monthly wine festival taking place at Grapeskin, La Ville Dubai. The event features over 50 types of wine from France, Spain, Australia, Lebanon and more; as well as a selection of delicious food options including tacos, pizza and croquettes.

Grapeskin, La Ville, City Walk, 4pm to 10pm, Friday March 22, entrance is free. Tel: (050) 309 5948. livelaville.com

8. Dine with a legendary Spanish chef

For one night, BOCA will host Chef Billy Baroja from Formentera Island, Spain to a Taste of the Med dinner. The three-course menu will combine Arabian ingredients with Balearic recipes and feature Dibba Bay oysters with labneh, local cucumber soup and Spanish olive oil caviar, local quail egg and a lobster stew. The dishes will be paired with a selection of carefully-crafted cocktails or soft drinks. Pre-booking required.

Taste of the Med, BOCA, Gate Building 6, DIFC, Dubai, 7.30pm onwards, Friday March 22, Dhs395 with cocktails, Dhs295 with juices. Tel: (04) 323 1833. boca.ae

9. Warm-up for the weekend with a great offer

The Shoreditch is a hidden bar located in underground nightclub, Industrial Avenue. The entrance of the club is somewhat unusual as you make your way through a dim-lit bathroom and down the stairs to The Shoreditch, where the club’s pre-party takes place, offering drinks for only Dhs25. The speakeasy-style bar gets pretty packed so arrive early if you want a sofa or space at one of the high tables.

Industrial Avenue, The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, 9pm to 11pm, Tuesday to Friday. Tel: (052) 293 5907. Facebook.com/IndustrialAvenueDubai

10. Party under the glow of the full moon

Wavehouse is throwing an epic Koh Phangan-style full moon party. Expect neon lights, UV body painters and buckets filled with cocktails. Music will be provided by DJ Billie Clements while a team of fire dancers will provide entertainment for the crowd. There’s also a barbecue providing grilled bites all night and complimentary use of the Surf’s Up wave machine on offer.

Wavehouse, Atlantis the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 9pm til late, Friday March 22, free. Tel: (04) 426 1166. atlantisthepalm.com

Saturday March 23

11. Upgrade your home for less

Ethan Allen will host a warehouse sale with up to 90 per cent off all homeware for a limited time only. Upgrade your furniture and home furnishings with huge discounts on sofas, dining sets, beds rugs, lighting, wall decor bedding and more.

Ethan Allen, BySymphony, Warehouse No. 1, Al Qouz Industrial Area 3, Dubai, 10am to 8pm, March 22 to 29. Tel: (800) 32823 ethanallen.ae 

12. Throwback to the 90’s with Reebok

Reebok are launching a pop-up 90s themed truck in La Mer this weekend before it travels to JBR on March 29. The Reebok A93 aims to take visitors back to the nineties with retro nostalgia, gaming tournaments, music performances, street dance and talks discussing how the 90’s helped shape some of the region’s leading creators.

Reebok A93 truck, La Mer, Dubai, 10am to 7pm, March 22 and 23, free. facebook.com/ReebokMENA

13. Watch the sunset from the beach

DRIFT Beach Dubai now offers a longer sunset experience, with a DJ until 9pm at their Sunset Lounge. End the weekend on a high with a second DJ set from 5pm to 9pm every Friday and Saturday. Watch the sun disappear behind the horizon over the views of the sea and Marina skyline.

DRIFT Beach Dubai, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Marina, 5pm to 9pm every Friday and Saturday. Tel: (04) 315 22200. driftbeachdubai.com

14. Treat yourself to tacos

There’s a new taco night every Saturday night at Beastro’s. Chicken, beef, fish and vegetarian tacos will be available, starting from Dhs19 per piece. The variety of flavours on offer will differ each week and are also available throughout the week.

Beastro’s First Central Hotel Suites, Barsha Heights, Dubai, 6pm to 10pm, Saturdays, from Dhs19. Tel: (04) 454 4950. beastrodubai.ae 

15. Celebrate 3 years of full moon yoga

Full Moon Yoga at Fairmont the Palm has been running for three years, and to celebrate they’re hosting a special event. This Saturday, bring a couple of friends along to the moon-lit session and the third person will be free. They’ve also teamed up with Rituals Cosmetics, One Good Thing and Tavola to help celebrate their third anniversary. 

Fairmont the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 7pm onwards, Saturday March 23, Dhs80 for one, Dhs150 for two, third person free. Tel: (04) 457 3545. facebook.com

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Images: Supplied/Facebook