Marina Breakwater
For a prime perspective on Abu Dhabi's audacious architectural vision, let the lift whisk you up to this 62nd-floor bar at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers,…
Must-see nightlife in Abu Dhabi
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Just the coolest speakeasy-style bar in town. Walk through the front door of Dai Pai Dong and head left to stumble into this secret drinking den, all…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Beside, and connected to, Etihad Modern Art Gallery, this artsy cafe, with its shaded patio scattered with tables and seating made from recycled oil…
Abu Dhabi
Don't be deceived by the unassuming back staircase entrance. Climb to the top, and you'll be dazzled by incredible turquoise waters and panoramic ocean…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Although earnest artisan-coffee guff generally gets on our nerves – when ordering you'll be asked the origin you want and whether you'd like it served hot…
Marina Breakwater
All other cocktail bars may be dead to you once you've sipped a Pearl Sky (gin, rhubarb liqueur, yuzu, blackberry and lemon) or Sake Samurai (vodka, sake,…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Tucked away in an inconspicuous corner of the main lobby, this bar is inspired by vivacious Hungarian actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. Her stylish but flamboyant…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
A connoisseur's cocktail bar, Butcher & Still has a black marble bar, hardwood features and leather everywhere to pad the elbows. Smoked Manhattans and…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Poolside Eclipse is a worthy spot to enjoy stunning views over the water and rooftops of the city. During the day it has a laid-back and relaxed vibe. The…
Marina Breakwater
Loved by locals, Hookah Lounge sits right on the water's edge with spectacular views back across to the city. Shisha (from Dhs62), unsurprisingly, is the…
Marina Breakwater
The Arabian Peninsula is dire territory for hopheads, but the Belgian Café at the InterContinental boasts a satisfying suds selection, featuring five…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
A well-established pub, with an old-fashioned, wood-panelled, brass-trimmed ambience, this watering hole is renowned for its popular ladies' nights …
Marina Breakwater
With one of the very best views of nighttime Abu Dhabi, the outside terrace at this highly popular shisha cafe is always teeming with appreciative puffers…
Yas Island
Late at night, this place gets packed with trendy young things sipping signature cocktails (Dhs55 to Dhs75). DJs spin progressive deep house on Thursdays…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
With a wicked assortment of carefully crafted mocktails and cocktails, this classy bar-restaurant attracts a well-dressed clientele. Sit outside on the…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
In the cooler months, this is the place to be. Cool cucumber mojitos, passion-fruit Collins, and kiwi gin and tonics are just some of the signature…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
The Four Season's lobby lounge comes into its own during the cooler months when you can sit outside with a drink on the terrace and take in the city…
Yas Island
One of Abu Dhabi's see-and-be-seen party haunts, dress up and bring your ID (over 21s only) to hang with the beautiful people partying to RnB, hip-hop,…
Marina Breakwater
An international/Tex-Mex/Irish cantina popular with long-term foreign residents, Hemingway's is the place to lounge in front of the big screen with beer,…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
A hugely popular cafe that has nothing to write home about other than the sense of participating in a beloved local ritual. Come here for shisha and tea…
Abu Dhabi
It's pricey, but this organic, cold-pressed-juice chain churns out some seriously tasty bevvies fashioned from all manner of fresh fruits, vegetables and…
Yas Island
With live entertainment and the longest bar in Abu Dhabi, this is a happening spot for beer (17 taps), cocktails and a satisfying selection of upmarket…
Marina Breakwater
Serving a variety of fruit juices, mocktails and hot drinks, this simple cafe has a great outdoor terrace overlooking the marina for an evening of shisha …
Abu Dhabi
Sitting in the cafe part of this establishment, beside the pond in comfortable armchairs, is a pleasant and sociable experience, especially on warm nights…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Saunter down a dramatic candlelit staircase to this cellar-like hideaway in the Rosewood hotel, probably Abu Dhabi's best destination for oenophiles in…
Yas Island
Voted Abu Dhabi's best sports bar, this wildly popular and rowdy bar and grill is unapologetically American. With 24 taps, including craft selections from…
Abu Dhabi
This pool and beach party, beloved by Abu Dhabi's buffed and toned set, is an all-day affair. Boats leave frequently from the dock near the Khalidiya…
Abu Dhabi
Have a beer (Dhs34 to Dhs40) or wine (glass from Dhs35) with high-rises as your neighbours at this bar on the roof of the World Trade Center; entry is…
Marina Breakwater
Radisson Blu Beach Club's bar and shisha cafe – open to the public – sits on prime beachside real estate with outstanding skyline views to accompany…
Yas Island
Healthy vegan-friendly cafe offering homemade almond milk, avocado smoothies and green vegetable juices along with karak chai (spicy tea) and a caboodle…
Yas Island
This rectangular den of decadence literally occupies a bridge directly over Yas Island's Formula One track. It's flush with the city's party-hard, moneyed…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Coya's colourful Pisco Lounge is a destination in itself, particularly if you're partial to a pisco sour (Dhs65) or two – and with creative infusions of…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
This rooftop bar at the Aloft Abu Dhabi hotel indeed puts you in the mood for relaxing, with mellow sounds, comfy seating and an extensive drinks menu…
Yas Island
Ignore the tacky faux-Tiki totems on entry. In cooler months, the outdoor terrace of this curvy timber bar-restaurant, jutting right out onto the water at…
Abu Dhabi
The famous Asian-themed chillax lounge from Paris has brought its normally temporary beach-bar concept to Abu Dhabi – the first location to receive a…
Abu Dhabi
We really like this cafe, fronted by a small street-front terrace, for its cracking coffee, cooling milkshakes and good tea selection. The taupe and white…
Abu Dhabi
This relaxing poolside rooftop lounge at the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi reopened after a full makeover in 2018. New glass partitions and ceilings offer a…
Marina Breakwater
Serious beachy vibes are yours, with a gin and karkadai (hibiscus) cocktail in hand. This chic open-air terrace, with the sand-front rimmed by cabana…
Yas Island
This convivial pub plays all the big sport matches and holds a flurry of weekly events as well as regularly hosting local bands and singers. There's…
Abu Dhabi
There's a pianist playing tunes on weeknights for a chilled-out ambience: kick back on one of the sofas and stare out at cityscape views from this bar on…
