Foodie deals, fitness events and some top new brunches…

Welcome to the weekend Dubai and boy, is it a big one. Whether you’re after new brunches, dinner deals or foodie finds, we’ve got tonnes of the city’s best new offers. Elsewhere there are lectures, free fitness events and a live indie folk star at Dubai Opera.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend.

Thursday February 7

1. Tuck into a top new dinner deal

‘Rare’ is a three hour package that will run from 8pm to 11pm every Thursday from Thursday February 7. It’s available at both the JBR and Downtown branches too, a perfect weekend warm up whether you’re looking to party in the Marina or Downtown. Priced at Dhs299 including free-flowing house drinks, expect to tuck into a three course sharing menu of quinoa salad, salmon and seabass ceviche and sliders to start, followed by an array of mains including cauliflower risotto, roasted salmon and their signature steak all brought to the table. It’s finished off with a choice of New York cheesecake or cookie dough and creme brulee.

STK JBR The Walk, Rixos Premium Dubai The Walk, JBR and  STK, Downtown, Address Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, 8pm to 11pm, Thursdays, Dhs299. Facebook.com/STKDubaiJBR Facebook.com/STKDubaiDowntown

2. Sing along at a stunning new Fountain show

To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, the Dubai Fountain will add one of the Oscar-nominated film, A Star Is Born’s most iconic singles – I’ll Never Love Again to its repertoire. The song will play at 8.30pm from Thursday February 7 until Valentine’s Day on Thursday February 14.

The Dubai Fountain, Downtown Dubai, 8.30pm, Thursday February 7 to 14, free. Facebook.com/TheDubaiFountain

3. Check out a new restaurant

It was a popular go-to for Fountain views and top quality Thai food in Souk Al Bahar but now Mango Tree is back, in a brand new location on JBR. Mango Tree Thai Bistro has just opened its doors in a contemporary new space in Hilton Dubai The Walk. Guests can expect classic dishes such as green curry or jungle curry as well as new trends like som tam corn salad that has become a staple dish in restaurants everywhere in Thailand.

Mango Tree Thai Bistro, LP Level, Hilton Dubai The Walk, JBR, daily 5pm to 1am. Tel: (04) 374 7555. Facebook.com/MangotreeJBR

4. Up your art knowledge at a lecture

Ever wondered what the term Orientalism means? Art historian Philippine Motais de Narbonne will put the term into context by explaining a collection of European paintings of the Middle East region from the early 20th century in this fascinating lecture that will help to understand how the world views this region to this day.

Alliance Française, Street 18, Oud Metha, Dubai. 7.30pm, Thursday February 6, Dhs45 (Dh35 for members) Tel: (04) 335-8712. afdubai.org

5. See an indie folk star live 

Known for his indie folk and soulful sound, audiences can expect to hear a mix of Jake Bugg’s greatest hits including ‘Seen It All’, ‘Lighting Bolt’, ‘Two Fingers’ as well as songs from his critically acclaimed new album ‘Hearts That Strain’  when he takes to the stage at Dubai Opera on February 7.

Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, 8pm, Thursday February 7, from Dhs195. Tel (04) 440 8888. dubaiopera.com

6. Head to the pub for an evening brunch 

Kicking off this Thursday February 7, start the weekend with an evening brunch that runs from 5pm to 11pm at The Lion by Nick and Scott. For Dhs350, tuck into a 3-hour package with unlimited servings of solid pub grub and free-flowing drinks including house spirits, sparkling and grape.

The Lion by Nick and Scott, H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, 5pm to 11pm, three hour package, Thursdays, Dhs350. Tel: (04) 359 2366. theliondubai.ae

Friday February 8

6. Tuck into a luxe new brunch

miX Dubai by Alain Ducasse is introducing a brand new brunch to the Palm Jumeirah this Friday. Spread over three floors, the restaurant boasts introduces unparalleled views of the sea and Palm Jumeirah. Described as a luxury new brunch, guests can feast on a buffet of lavish signature dishes which include lamb shoulder, chicken confit and lobster, accompanied by some plated dishes served to the table. It’s all washed down with an array of premium drinks served up from live cooking stations.

Aristokrasi brunch, miX by Alain Ducasse, Emerald Palace Kempinski, 1pm to 5pm, Fridays, Dhs450 house, Dhs550 sparkling. Tel: (050) 226 1662. Facebook.com/AristokrasiDXB

7. Flex up at with a fun workout

Reform Athletica is found in a villa in Jumeirah just down from Mercato Mall, offering four brilliant classes designed to deliver fun, body-changing workoust in a motivating environment for classes of 10 to 16 people. No prior experience is required for any class, whether you’re headed to The Reform Method (a signature), TRX Athletica, RA Flex or Kettle Form.

Reform Athletica,Villa 40, 165a Jumeira Road, Jumeira 1, Dubai, daily, class timings vary. Tel: (04) 323 3670reformathletica.com

9. Get your garage on

Known as one of the UK’s most famed party brunches, Dubai’s second ‘UKG Brunch’ will take place at underground nightclub Industrial Avenue on Friday February 8, offering unlimited drinks and a three course meal from 1pm to 5pm. On the menu, expect no-frills dishes including fried chicken to start, followed by a roast dinner and then dessert. It gets better. The event will be hosted by comedian and passionate garage music fan Aurie Styla, so it will be served up to the sounds of early 90s garage hits that are sure to take old school ravers back to their heyday.

UKG Brunch at Industrial Avenue, The Westin Mina Seyahi, 1pm to 5pm, Friday February 8, Dhs295. Tel: (052) 306 6527. industrialavenuedubai.com

10. See a film for Dhs30

Planning on catching a film this weekend? Then you might like to know that Reel Cinemas have launched Dhs30 tickets at their boutique Rove Downtown location. The boutique cinema will offer tickets for Dhs30 for a limited-time only to UAE residents, so you’ll need to act fast if you want to avail the offer. Tickets for the boutique cinema are usually Dhs45, with an array of blockbusters showing currently. It’s worth noting the cinema is open to all ages before 7pm, but it’s 21’s and above afterwards.

Reel Cinemas, Rove Downtown, Downtown Dubai, various timings, limited time, Dhs30. reelcinemas.ae.

Saturday February 9

11. Soak up the sun with a new ladies’ day 

 

Ibiza brand House in Paradise is set to launch a new ladies’ day this Saturday February 2 at Atlantis, The Palm. The deal will run from 12pm to 4pm every Saturday, and there will be packages for both ladies and gents, starting from just Dhs99. The drinks-only package for ladies’ offers four hours of free-flowing house drinks for Dhs99, or upgrade to the Dhs150 package, and ladies can enjoy free flowing Rose, cocktail pitchers, and a choice from the food menu. But this isn’t just for the girls. Guys can take advantage of the same package for Dhs200.

House in Paradise ladies’ day, Atlantis Beach Club, Atlantis The Palm, 12pm to 4pm, Saturdays, from Dhs99. Facebook.com/Housemusicevent

12. Catch up over fondue for two

Fitzroy, the new European bistro at The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah has launched Fondue For Two, a new sharing deal every Saturday. Guests can feast on classic ingredients including Gruyere and Emmental cheese accompanied by homemade pickles, a charcuterie platter, new potatoes and a fresh, French baguette. Wash it down with two hours of free flowing drinks for Dhs398 for two.

Fitzroy, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 6pm to 11pm, Saturdays, Dhs398. Tel: (054) 309 4517. Facebook.com/FitzroyDXB

13. Book a table at a brand new Saturday brunch

The lazy Saturday brunch at Ruya launches this weekend and is a three hour package from 12pm to 3pm. There are both indoor and outdoor seating options, with a mix of sharing style and a la carte dishes served to the table, free-flowing drinks and sounds from resident DJ Amzin. We’re already big fans of Ruya’s a la carte menu, and can’t wait to see what they bring to the Saturday brunch scene.

Ruya, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, 12pm to 3pm, Saturdays, Dhs170 soft, Dhs299 house including Beillini’s. Tel: (04) 399 9123. ruyadubai.com

14. Tuck into unlimited pizza

 

To celebrate National Pizza Day BiCE Ristorante is offering unlimited pizza from Dhs89 on Saturday February 9. Guests can take the advantage of two offers throughout this Saturday – either Dhs89 for unlimited pizza and soft drinks, or Dhs169 for unlimited pizza and beer.

BiCE Ristorante, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 11.30pm, Saturday February 9, Dhs89 with soft drinks, Dhs169 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 318 2520. hilton.com

15. Work up a sweat at a free fitness event

Dubai’s new star attraction The Pointe is hosting a free fitness festival on February 9, with an afternoon of fitness classes on offer. All of the classes are free to attend and are taught by seasoned professionals. Classes on offer range from yoga and Zumba to CrossFit and boxing.

The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Saturday February 9 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Tel (04) 390 9999, ThePointe.ae.

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