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.

THURSDAY 01

Bon Jovi

The iconic American rock band return to Abu Dhabi as part of their 2015 world tour. Expect all the hits including Bad Medicine and Livin’ On A Prayer.

du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 6pm, Dhs295 to Dhs1,095. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: du Arena. ticketmaster.ae

Bon Jovi brunch

Origins is serving a pre-gig brunch for those of you off to see the New Jersey rockers tonight, starting at 5pm. There are shuttle buses to take you to the gig at 8pm.

Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 5pm to 8pm, Dhs250 to 325. Tel: (02) 6560600. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

Souk Qaryat Fantasy Festival

A new, three-day festival launches today in the souk, featuring a heritage area (henna painters, calligraphy, traditional food and sweets), live shows (including speed painters) and an Arabic art installation.

Souk at Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, Oct 1 to 3, 4pm to 11pm. Tel: 02 558 1670. Taxi: Souk at Qaryat Al Beri. 

No White Walls

The third edition of the No White Walls art exhibition features six new artists including Mohammad Awwad, Julia Ibbini, long-time Abu Dhabian Emily Gordon and Jennifer Simon. Held at the Fairmont, expect a diverse variety of mediums including paintings,sculpture, photography, digital and textile art.

Until Dec 31
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6543333. Taxi: Fairmont. no-white-walls.com

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

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

FRIDAY 2

Oktoberfest brunch at Fairways

The hotel’s Bubbalicious brunch goes German for the day this Friday.

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, Oct 2, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs290 to Dhs515. Tel: (02) 6169999. Taxi: The Westin. westinabudhabigolfresort.com

Oktoberfest at Sofitel Abu Dhabi

In honour of the Bavarian festival, head to Grills@Chill’O for special rates on German bottles and draughts. Enjoy bottled hops for Dhs15 from noon to 8pm, or unlimited draught brews for Dhs123 from 8pm to midnight. For foodies heading to the buffet at the Corniche Restaurant, add another Dhs80 for a free flow of German beverages.

Until October 4
Sofitel Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to midnight. Tel: (02) 8137777. Taxi: Sofitel Corniche. sofitel.com

Oktoberfest at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi

Head over to the Thirty 1st Bar And Lounge for bottomless mugs of Krombacher and one traditional German nibble at their Oktoberfest bash. Options on the menu include chicken schnitzel, frikadellen beef patties or bratwurst with mashed potato. Each guest will also receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a one-night stay for two, including Friday brunch. The draw will be held on October 4.

Until October 4
Holiday Inn, Muroor Road and 31st Street, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to midnight, Dhs150. Tel: (02) 6574865. Taxi: Holiday Inn. holidayinn.com

Oktoberfest at Beach Rotana

The annual celebration at Brauhaus returns with live music from three-piece Winter Buam, along with traditional Bavarian dishes and a Friday brunch.

Until October 9
Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Wed 5pm to 11pm, Thur to Sat noon to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 6979011. Taxi: Next to Abu Dhabi Mall. rotana.com

Boa launches new Friday Brunch

Californian steakhouse Boa is joining Abu Dhabi’s ever-growing brunch club. From October 2, 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

SATURDAY 3

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

Watch Aussie rules 

Cheer on your team as you watch the 2015 AFL Grand Final at this Aussies Abroad hosted breakfast.

Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Oct 3, 7.30am to 11.30am, Dhs100 to Dhs200. Tel: (800) 101101. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. aussiesabroadabudhabi.com

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

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 at Villa Toscana

There’s more to Italian recipes than pouring some Ragu over pasta – and Villa Toscana is aiming to prove that with a series of cooking classes this month. The restaurant’s sous chef Paolo Lostia will be teaching wannabe kitchen gurus how to make dishes with honey, cheeses and meats to make antipasto, handmade pasta mains and desserts. There will also be classes for children on the first Saturday of every month.

St Regis Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Sat 10am to 2pm, Dhs300. Tel: (02) 6944444. Taxi: St Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche. villatoscana-abudhabi.com