Free food for kids, South Asian a capella, hotel stay deals and sneaker exhibitions.

Here’s your Dubai weekend sorted…

Thursday 18

1. Watch Bolt’s last burn around the track

Tonight’s 4 x 100 metre relay in Rio is likely to be running legend Usain Bolt’s last ever Olympic effort, and the heats will start at 6.40pm UAE time. So watch history happen over some pub grub, we recommend the non-smoking Nezessausi (which has good food and a LOT of screens).

Manzil Downtown Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, The Old Town, Downtown Dubai. Open until 2am tonight. Tel: (04) 888 3444. More info on website. 

2. Laugh, a lot

Grand Millennium, Barsha Heights, Dubai. 9pm, Dhs140. Tel: (04) 355 1862. More info on website. 

3. Suss out some new sneaks

There’s a pop-up exhibition focused on sneakers this weekend – adidas kicks to be specific. The Al Quoz exhibition is open to the public and charters the evolution of the NMD silhouette. The new NMD collection launched worldwide yesterday and if you’re a super fan you can buy them there this weekend (there’s a pair designed by Pharrell, and the collection starts from Dhs595). This is definitely one for sneakerheads. Not that into sneakers? Probably give it a miss.

Toil & Tinker, inside The Courtyard, Al Quoz. 7pm to 10pm, until Saturday. Free entry just email adidas@NMD.ae to get your access code. 

4. Get on the Soul Train

If your jams range from Chaka Khan to Lucy Pearl then you’ll want to get down to The Black Lion for the Soul Train night. The tunes will range from reggae to funk and of course soul, and the party will be on till 3am.

The Black Lion, H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre Area. Free entry. 8pm to 3am. More info on Facebook. 

Friday 19

5. Check out a new salon

Sisters is a reliably good salon with a few branches throughout Dubai and they’ve just opened a branch in JBR. To celebrate they’re giving you the lowest price treatment for free when you come in for two different services until September 30. The waxing here is always professional, the blow dries are quick and their lash extension service is nearing legend status. As the name suggests, the salon is not for misters – it’s ladies only.

Amwaj 4, Al Sufouh Road, just opposite the Dubai Tram. Tel: (04) 5579595. More info on website.

6. Brunch and snooze

Pullman JLT’s Bed & Brunch offer has returned, and it means brunch (with soft drinks), access to Riva Beach Club and a night at the five star hotel for just Dhs299 per person. That’s a proper bargain. (If you want premium beverages with your brunch you can add on Dhs125 to the package).

Pullman JLT, Cluster J, Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Dhs299, every Friday and Saturday until September 30. Tel: (04) 567 1000. More info on website. 

7. Here’s one for South African expats

Ard Matthews is the frontman for Just Jinger and his soft rock tunes are a hit in South Africa, he’ll be playing live at the JLT branch of McGettigan’s tonight.

MeGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington Tower, Cluster J, Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Tel: (04) 356 0560. Buy tickets here. 

8. Party on a rooftop terrace (don’t worry, there’s an AC tent)

Tamanya Rooftop at the Radisson Blu in Media City is hosting a new artist every Friday over summer and this weekend it’s Claire Spooner, aka Just Her, who plays melodic electronica. Here’s a bit of what she’s about:

Radisson Blu, Dubai Media City. Dhs50 with two drinks 7pm to 8pm, Dhs50 with one drink 8pm to 9pm, Dhs80 9pm to 11pm and 11pm onwards Dhs100. 7pm to 3am. More info on Facebook. 

9. Listen to South Asian a capella

Famous for their Evolution of Bollywood video – which has racked up nearly 2 million views on YouTube – Bollywood-inspired a capella group Penn Masala are very talented, and they’re bringing their voices to Ductac tonight. The group are based in the US and began at the University of Pennsylvania in 1996, and one of their songs was included in Pitch Perfect 2. Definitely worth checking out.

Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha. 7.30pm, Saturday night only. Tickets from Dhs200. Buy tickets here.

10. Spin to a rock soundtrack

Soulplesse Cycle is hosting a special Rock n’ Roll ride for all Guava Pass members today (plus all Guava members can bring a friend for free). It’s at 11am and there’s a prize for the best dressed rider (there’s so much fun you can have with glam rock meets athletics-wear). Afterwards there will be Paleo snacks from Cycle Bistro.

Souplesse Cycle, Dubai Motor City. Free. Register through Guava Pass and register a friend by emailing dubai@guavapass.com. More info on website.

11. Take the family for lunch (and the kids eat for free)

All weekend – from Thursday to Saturday – children under 10 eat for free at the beautiful Ice Cream Parlour in Fortnum & Masons (when accompanied by an adult purchasing a meal). Two little ones can eat for free per paying adult, and can choose from the special kids’ menu. Oh, and the parlour serves more than just ice cream, with everything from risotto to rarebit on offer for the adults in the room.

In between Dubai Mall and The Address Downtown, Downtown Dubai. 9am to 11pm Thursday and 9am to midnight Friday and Saturday. Tel: (04) 3882627. More info on website.

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Photos: Getty Images & Supplied