New restaurants, knighted musicians, beach barbecues, Oktoberfest festivities… we’re not short of ideas for the next three days.

Thursday 20

1. See a musical legend play live

Bob Geldof performing in Dubai

You’re always guaranteed some good craic at The Irish Village (it was just voted the best Irish pub in the world, after all), but more so than usual this week: in honour of the institution’s 20th birthday, Sir bloomin’ Bob Geldof is going to be performing – and it’s free entry. The Boomtown Rats star will be kicking off his show at 9pm, but there’s Dhs20 house beverages on offer from 7pm until the performance starts.

The Irish Village, 31 A Street, Al Garhoud, Dubai, open from 11am to 2am, over 21s from 8.30pm. Tel: (04) 282 4750. theirishvillage.com.

2. Treat yourself to a très Française dinner

la mome

Sheikh Zayed Road – migraine inducing by day, almost ethereal-looking by night… when you’re gazing down on it from the 49th floor with a slap-up three courses on the way. We checked out La Môme last week, and are still thinking about the juicy beef fillet (Dhs199) and bottomless chocolate mousse (Dhs48). So if you need some post-work dinner inspiration, this one comes recommended.

La Môme, Level 49, Nassima Royal Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily from 7pm to 3am (last food orders taken at 11.45pm). Tel: (04) 308 0470. nassimaroyalhotel.com.

3. Binge on the Bard

Dream

This weekend you can watch a selection of mini movie versions of Shakespeare’s work at The Junction in Al Quoz (we do love an abridged version). The 10-minute shorts were produced in April to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the playwright’s death (a touch morbid, but we’ll roll with it). You’ll be able to see Cleopatra filmed in Egypt and Julius Caesar in Rome, and there will also be a range of panel discussions and workshops.

The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, 7.30pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday (and 3pm on Saturday for students). Dhs100. More info and bookings on website. 

4. Go for a beach BBQ 

barefoot lounge

Now that the evenings are finally cooler (hurrah), it’s time to start getting back into the beach club scene. Barefoot Lounge is starting up again from this week, and guests are invited to kick off their shoes – literally – for an alfresco dinner on the resort’s beach. Chow down on some classic dishes as the sun goes down – it’ll cost Dhs185 for a BBQ dinner with soft drinks or Dhs295 for a BBQ dinner with house beverages (and kids eat for Dhs95).

Beach Bar, Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, 1 Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, from 8pm. Tel: (04) 346 1111. dxbmarine.com.

5. Immerse yourself in Bavarian culture

oktoberfest

Oktoberfest DXB kicks off in the Media City Ampitheatre tonight, and is a 10 day celebration of all things Bavarian (from the music to the brews to the ‘wurst). It’ll be big, bold and full of lederhosen. Entry is free on weekdays before 7pm and on Friday before 5pm; on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday there’s a happy hour for ladies from 6pm to 7pm that means Dhs5 for drinks; and on both Fridays of the fest there’s a brunch package that’ll set you back Dhs395 for house drinks.

Media City, Dhs50 for entries on weekends. Various times throughout the 10 days, click here to see the exact opening hours for each dayMore info on Facebook.

Friday 21

6. Scoff your way through a brand new brunch

seasonal-tastes-westin

The Westin in Al Habtoor City is now open, and with it comes a brand new brunch. The City Brunch has a laid-back vibe, six live cooking stations, fantastic views of the under-construction Dubai Canal and a great children’s area. Plus, excellent New York-Italian restaurant Il Capo cooks up pizza for the brunch, and their crust is worth a sample.

Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road, 12.30pm to 4pm, every Friday, Dhs249 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 437 3333. More info on website.

7. Marvel at Lego sculptures

stack lego

Legoland’s opening at the end of the month, but that’s not the only Lego-themed happening in the city in Ocotber – this weekend at Skydive Dubai you’ll find Stack DXB, read all about the weekend-long event and its huge pools of Lego that you can wade around in (actually) here.

Skydive Dubai, Al Sufouh, 3pm to 10pm Thursday, 10am to 10pm Friday and 10am to 9pm Saturday. Tickets Dhs100 online, Dhs130 on the door (children under two free). Tickets can be purchased here. More info on Facebook.

8. Get a free waffle

hilton waffle

It’s the Hilton Garden Inn’s first birthday, and to celebrate… dessert for everybody! The hotel chain have teamed up with chef Bader Najeeb to create an exclusive Emirati-inspired topping, rose falooda with vanilla ice-cream. You can get a free taste from a waffle truck on Kite Beach this afternoon, or all Hilton Garden Inns in Dubai will be selling the dish for one day only.

Kite Beach, Hilton Garden Inn, 6A Street, Al Barsha, Dubai, 1pm to 6pm. Click here for more info. 

9. Pamper fast at a new Palm salon

blowout bar

In need of a very quick pick-me-up? This new salon on the Palm has a pretty extensive menu – think manis, threading and make-up – but its speciality is express blow-drys. For Dhs110 to Dhs 140 (depending on your hair length) you can have a quick wash and style. There’s a list of looks to choose from, from beachy waves to voluminous and sleek, or you can pick from a range of updos if you’re going somewhere fancy tonight.

BlowOut Bar, Golden Mile Galleria, Building 10, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Sun to Thurs 7.30am to 9pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 9pm. Tel: 800 2569 688. blowoutbar.ae.

10. Check out a fresh South African restaurant

walnut-grove

If you’re South African you’ve probably heard of Walnut Grove (word is the late, great Nelson Mandela was even a fan), and the Jo’burg spot is now in Dubai. Just opened in City Walk, expect monstrous desserts, a kid-friendly menu, meaty burgers and healthy salads – so basically a bit of everything then.

City Walk, Safa Street, 8am to 1am, daily. Tel: (04) 344 4441. More info on website

11. Mosh to Indian rock

One of the subcontinent’s most popular classic hard rock bands are in town tonight – so get down to Bur Dubai and get ready to mosh with (or at least sway along to) the tunes of Girish and the Chronicles.

The Music Room, The Majestic Hotel, Dubai, 10pm, Dhs80. Tel: (04) 359 8888. Taxi: The Majestic Hotel. More info on Facebook.

12. Party with Norman Cook Right Here, Right Now

DXBeach is back this weekend, and Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, is headlining. The funk soul brother is a master of big beat dance, and we look forward to feeling the sand between our toes while cutting a few shapes to his tunes. On the line up alongside him is Benny Benasi and Zero 7.

Skydive Dubai Dropzone, Al Sufouh, Dubai, noon to 3am, Dhs275 to Dhs400. Tel: (04) 399 0009. Buy tickets here. More info on website.

Saturday 22

13. Shop by Twilight

reform

Fancy rounding out your weekend with some outdoor retail therapy? Reform Social & Grill have just launched a quarterly Twilight Market, and it kicks off tonight. You’ll find 50 boutiques selling everything from yoga gear to decor for your home. Plus, you can grab dinner while there too, either from the restaurant or the outdoor BBQ menu.

The Lakes, Dubai, 3pm to 7pm, free entry. Tel: More info on Facebook. Tel: (04) 454 2638.

14. Suss out a new riding school

habtoor

The brand new Equestrian School at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is hosting an open afternoon today that means you can tour the new facilities, meet the riding school ponies, watch a short polo display match and snack on some free bites. Plus, there will be a zone for the little ones complete with bouncy castles, pony rides and face painting. Find out more about the prices of lessons etc at the club here.

Al Habtoor Polo Resort, Dubailand, 3pm to 6pm, Saturdy, free entry. Tel: (056) 520 5081. More info on Facebook.

 15. Have some proper fish n’ chips

chippy's

A British expat desperate for a taste of home? Or just a person who loves a good chip (so, everyone then…)? Add this home delivery service to your speed dial. You can choose from a range of chip-shop favourites – think battered cod, curry sauce, and mushy peas we can vouch for – cooked in a kitchen helmed by Liverpudlian chef, so you know you’re getting an authentic taste of the UK.

Chippy’s, The Palm Views West, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 12pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 451 6461. zomato.com/dubai/chippys-palm-jumeirah.

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