< Previous60 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com REPLICATING THE FEEL of a proper pub here in the UAE is more difÀcult than you might think. With a few notable exceptions, most of the capital’s watering holes are new-to-newish, and you just can’t fake that old timey feel we all love. McCafferty’s solution to the problem? Import everything, from the wood of the bar to the signs on the wall, from Ireland. Authenticity is the key here. Originally from Donegal, McCafferty’s Àrst burst onto the UAE nightlife scene back in September 2021, with the Àrst outlet outside of the UK and Ireland found at JVC’s Circle Mall. Since then, the brand has expanded into Al Furjan and WaÀ, with the Yas Island outlet opening in May this year. It’s the joint biggest, and there’s plenty of cosy nooks and booths, an upstairs area with separate bar and pool tables, as well as an outdoor area. Every inch of the space is covered in signs for beverage brands, or road signs that might help you forget you’re quite the distance from the Emerald Isles. There are a range of draught hops on offer, including pints of the black stuff and Irish cider-based beverages, with pints starting from Dhs38. Take advantage of the very generous happy hour, which runs from 9am until 8pm daily, and you’ll be able to grab pints from Dhs30, grape from Dhs32 and mixed drinks from Dhs40. You won’t be alone in taking advantage of it either, particularly on Friday or Saturday evenings, as the place seems to almost always be packed. McCafferty’s also proves popular on match day, with plenty of screens. When there’s no sportsball on, you can expect live music in the evenings to keep the atmosphere going. WHAT IS IT... All-Irish, all-round winner of a bar at the Hilton Yas Island WHY GO... Superb pub grub, lively atmosphere and a generous happy hour No matter how pumping the venue, service is quick – almost too quick – and we could easily spend an afternoon, or even a day here. The food is typical pub grub: Think burgers, Àsh and chips, roast dinners and pizzas, with a decent amount of vegetarian and vegan options. Pork is served, including an all-Ireland breakfast and sausage bap. With a generous happy hour, great pub grub, and lively atmosphere, McCafferty’s is an all-Irish, all-round winner. BAR OF THE MONTH “You won’t be alone in taking advantage of the generous happy hour” Time Out reviews anonymously and pays for its meals McCafferty’s O Open daily 9am-2am. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, mccaffertysyas.com (058 598 3623).timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 61 LUXURY CAN MEAN different things for different people. It can be the pop of a bottle, a spoonful of caviar, or the taste of fresh oysters. For us, it’s tucking into not one, not two, but three kinds of snacks at The St. Regis Bar. Of course, we’re not suggesting you come only to dig into bowl after bowl of crisps, nuts and cubes of cheese (although we’re told that guests have been known to do just that). This is the kind of place you just want to sit around in for a couple of hours, soaking in the atmosphere. The whole venue oozes class and sophistication, with a cigar lounge towards the back of the space. To get there, you’ll have to pass through the library, with Áoor-to-ceiling bookshelves, as well as railings on the upper balcony that are just begging for rolling ladders to be added (and swung from, like you’re Belle in Beauty and the Beast). The best seat in the house, as with all places specialising in mixed drinks, is at the bar. Options are split by the decade, with the most popular mixed drink in each time period offered, along with a version of the drink given The St. Regis twist. PLENTY OF OUR favourite things came via the Iberian Peninsula: Paella, patatas bravas and Spanish mixed drinks, to name a few. And if you’re looking for an authentic taste (and sip) of Spain, look no further than Diablito. Found at Yas Marina, this spot underwent refurbishments last summer. The new-and-improved venue still has the brill yacht view, with a lively vibe upstairs (which is also where you’ll Ànd live bands or DJs) paired with boho décor and more of a restaurant setting downstairs. If you’re coming here for a tipple, the drinks menu has “The best seat in the house is at the bar” WHAT IS IT... Stunning Spanish bar boasting Yas Marina views WHY GO... For the paella and Spanish mixed drinks The St. Regis Bar O Open daily 4pm-midnight. Licensed. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road West (02 694 4553). Diablito O Open Mon-Thu 3pm-11pm; Fri-Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-11pm. Yas Marina, Yas Island, diablitofoodandmusic.ae (02 565 1175). Spanish hops (both draught and bottles), Spanish grape and Spanish mixed drinks. Service is fast, and while all of the nearby bars have nearly identical views, sitting on the top Áoor of Diablito with a Spanish mixed drink in hand just hits different. Foodwise, it’s once again a whirlwind tour of the best Spain has to offer, with patatas bravas, Spanish omelettes, and Andalusian-style calamari, and the pizzas, while not strictly Spanish, are a crowdpleaser. If you’re missing Spain, you certainly can’t go far wrong with a visit to Diablito. Of course, those with any prior knowledge of the brand will know that there’s only one mixed drink to order here: A certain tomato- based mixed drink, Àrst created in The St. Regis New York in 1934. Every St. Regis Bar around the world has its own version (yes, the one at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort differs from here), so make sure you order this. Should you have a hankering for something more than crisps and nuts, you can opt for bar bites like the Buffalo wings with blue cheese dressing, the bruschetta with heirloom tomatoes, or the chorizo and ricotta arancini. And for something heartier still, you can try the Àsh and chips, with battered cod and tartare sauce, the burger, with grass-fed Angus beef patties and veal bacon, or try the quinoa club sandwich. To Ànish, there is a selection of desserts including cake or fruits. You’ll pick up a lot of things on your visit here, from the story of the mural behind the bar to why every St. Regis around the globe has a grand staircase (IYKYK). But unless you’re a history buff, or really, really, really love the crisps, we’re not sure a repeat visit is necessary.62 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Art & Culture The summer might be nearly over, but the cultural scene in Abu Dhabi is heating up this September. From new exhibitions to live shows, we’ve rounded up everything going on across the city this month. Culture vultures, you’re not going to want to miss these fabulous activities. BEBEL GILBERTO AT THE RED THEATER AT NYU ABU DHABI Four-time Grammy nominee Bebel Gilberto will be performing a series of songs from her recently released album João at The Red Theater this month. Each of the songs are dedicated to her father, bossa nova originator João Gilberto. O Dhs105 (adults), Dhs52.50 (kids aged 10 to 18). Sat Sep 30 7pm onwards. NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, nyuad-artscenter.org. BERLIN PHILHARMONIC QUINTET AT MANARAT AL SAADIYAT Abu Dhabi Classics is back for another year, and the programme will be kicking off in New in All the new cultural activations and shows to check out this month The Red Theatertimeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 63 September with a performance from the Berlin Harmonic Quintet at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The quintet includes some of the principal players of Berlin Philharmonic, and the Àve will be playing Chamber music from the 18th century up until the early 20th century, including Schubert’s ‘String Quintet in C major’. Next month, ballet star Natalia Osipova will be premiering Force of Nature at Emirates Palace Auditorium, and you can expect more events in the near future. O From Dhs75. Sat Sep 9-Sun Sep 10 8pm onwards. Saadiyat Cultural District, ticketmaster.ae. BUIKA AT CULTURAL FOUNDATION Known for her soulful fusion of Áamenco, Spanish copla, jazz, soul, and African polyrhythm music, Spanish singer, poet, composer, and music producer Concha Buika will premiere her new show Buika – An Evening for the Soul in the city this September. The critically acclaimed artist will be performing at an exclusive one-off event at the Cultural Foundation on Saturday September 16. The singer has been compared to Nina Simone and Edith Piaf for her unique blend of musical styles and haunting voice, which means the performance is certainly something to look forward to. O From Dhs175. Sat Sep 16 8pm-9.30pm. Cultural Foundation, Al Hisn, culturalfoundation.ae. CINEMA SPACE AT MANARAT AL SAADIYAT Good news, cinephiles – Cinema Space is back. The independent initiative, which sees free screenings held every Thursday, Sunday and Monday, has returned to Manarat Al Saadiyat. First founded in 2014, a wide variety of movies are shown, from restored classics and documentaries to Àlms from Àrst or second-time directors. The schedule for this month is yet to be released, but you can check cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com, or follow @cinemaspacead on Instagram, for the latest news. O Free. Every Thu, Sun and Mon. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com. LETTERS OF LIGHT AT LOUVRE ABU DHABI Back in March, Abrahamic Family House opened in the Saadiyat Cultural District, with three houses of worship – a church, a mosque and a synagogue – in one complex. And now Letters of Light, which features the Holy Books of the three Abrahamic religions – the Quran, the Christian Bible (Old and New Testaments) and the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) – is due to open at the Louvre Abu Dhabi this month. The showcase features the most important and beautiful manuscripts from each religion, and you’ll be wowed by the work of skilled calligraphers and artists. O Dhs63 (general admission), free entry (kids under 18). Wed Sep 13-Sun Jan 14, 2024. Open Tue-Sun 10am-midnight. Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565566). LOBI LOBI: PASCALE MARTHINE TAYOU AT CULTURAL FOUNDATION If you were away for the summer, you won’t yet have had the chance to check out LOBI LOBI: Pascale Marthine Tayou at the Cultural Foundation. The free exhibition, which is named after contemporary artist Pascale Marthine Tayou’s poem LOBI LOBI, features a number of sculptures, installations and mixed media works that are meant to “examine the scarcity and excess of resources in the contemporary landscape”. O Free. Until Sun Jan 28, 2024. Open Sat-Thu 9am-8pm; Fri 2pm-8pm. Qasr Al Hosn, Al Hisn, culturalfoundation.ae (02 657 6348). N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (THE STARS) AT THE ARTS CENTER AT NYU ABU DHABI Of all the new shows and exhibitions in September, this is the one we’re most excited about. Using nearly 5,000 reactive points of light, artist Andrew Schneider has recreated the cosmos at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi. There are two options for visiting this installation: You can either opt for the guided experience, where a narrator will guide up to eight people at a time through the space and invite guests to “consider their individual place in the universe”, or embark on a self-guided experience through the open installation. Either way, make sure you have your cameras at the ready. O Free. Dhs105 (adults), Dhs52.50 (kids seven to 18). Open Thu Aug 31-Sun Sep 3, Tue Sep 5-Sun Sep 10 2.30pm-5.30pm, 7pm-11pm. Saadiyat Island, nyuad-artscenter.org. Letters of Light64 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Mum, I’m hungry. Dreaded words for many of us. From Ànicky eaters to hard-to-please mini gourmands, it can sometimes be difÀcult to get your little one to Ànish a meal. Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants that won’t only offer your kiddo plenty of nutritious options to enjoy, but also allow you to spend a fun meal together as a family with no worries of junior spilling a drink on a fancy white tablecloth or getting too animated. In fact, we bet that the kids will enjoy these restaurants so much that there might even be requests for seconds – or at least a return trip in the near future. CENTRAL You say family-friendly restaurants; we say Central. The colourful bowling alley and burger bar in Yas Bay is an absolute hit with families. From the beats to the retro arcade games, monster shakes, and delicious food, young-of- heart and young-of-age kids love this hangout. What’s more fun than dad showing the kids how it’s done in the bowling lanes? O Open Mon-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-2am; Sun noon-midnight. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, central-uae.com (04 423 8311). DINO’S BISTRO ITALIANO If your little ones enjoy slurping up their spaghetti, they will love Dino’s. The Italian restaurant is loved by young and old not only for its delicious fare (including classic pasta and pizza options, and gelato) but also the lively atmosphere and fun décor touches, including a vintage bicycle Àlled with Áowers by the door and an American diner-style ‘Dino’s’ sign up on the wall. Family & Kids O Open Mon-Fri non-3.30pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat-Sun noon-4pm, 6pm-11pm. Pearl Rotana Capital Centre Abu Dhabi, Al Rawdah, rotana.com (02 307 5551). NOODLE BOWL This little Chinese restaurant at Zayed Sports City is located above a bowling alley, making it a fun choice for a day out with the kids. Play a frame or three before heading upstairs for the well-priced, tasty plates that earned this spot a place on our Restaurant Awards shortlist. O Open daily 11am-10pm. Khalifa International Bowling Centre, Zayed Sports City, Al Rawdah (02 447 2405). RAINFOREST CAFÉ For a wild meal out, head on over to the Rainforest Café in Yas Mall. With a distinct Youngster approved Family-friendly eateries that will have your little ones clearing their plates in minutes Central Dino’s Bistro Italianotimeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 65 Jungle Book vibe, here you can dine surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest. It’s a super fun experience loved in cities all around the world, and your kids will love the playpark, special effects and lifelike animatronics. O Open daily noon-10pm. The Fountains, Yas Mall, Yas Island, rainforestcafeuae.com (02 566 1999). SANDERSON’S With pancakes, toasties, nuggets and fries, as well as spaghetti and burgers, you can be sure that kids will love Sanderson’s. The boho- tropical café has a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of space in between large tables that are perfect for family get-togethers. There’s also an awesome play area jampacked with toys and activities, and a kids’ retail section so you can tick off some post-meal shopping. O Oen daily 8am-10pm. Al Seef, wearesandersons.com (02 222 1142). SIDEKICKS Right next door to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Sidekicks offers delicious fare and the chance for little ones to dine with some of their favourite characters, including Daffy Duck and Peter Rabbit. The playful, all-day diner features colorful quirky décor and booth-style seating for a super comfy meal out. Food wise, kids can choose between favourites such as dino burgers, krispy clucks and banana splits, while parents can tuck into more grown-up options like sushi and rib eye. O Open daily 7am-10.30pm. The WB Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, hilton.com (02 692 7760). STOUFF BEIRUT Parents can dine and kids can play at this Lebanese restaurant in WTC Mall. While it is a more upmarket option than the other family- friendly restaurants on the list, little ones are still well catered for here with a dedicated kids’ play area Àlled with loads of fun activities to keep them entertained, as well as a dedicated menu for little eaters, complete with yummy mini margherita pizzas and fries served in a little truck. O Open Sat-Wed noon-12.30am; Thu-Fri noon-1.30am. Level 4, WTC Mall, abudhabi.stouffbeirut.com (056 688 4042). THE BOUNDARY This family-friendly restaurant in Khalifa City can be found, as you might guess from the name, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The interior is spacious and there’s plenty of space for kids to run around outside (should the weather permit it). There is also a dedicated kids’ menu which features favourites such as toast with banana and Nutella, mini pancakes, and mini burgers and pizzas. O Open daily 8am-11pm. Zayed Cricket Stadium, Khalifa City, theboundarymenu.com (050 625 3953).66 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Dhs59 THE BARBIE MOVIE hit silver screens across the UAE in early August, and it’s safe to say Barbie fever has taken hold in the capital. While plenty of restaurants have jumped on the hype and started offering pink plates, we thought for this issue we’d feature a spot that loved pink well before it was trendy: Love Vibe Café. While the branch in Abu Dhabi is new, having opened in Khalifa City back in mid- HYPE DISH DISSECTION What goes into the Abu Dhabi plates that everyone bangs on about April, the OG branch has been open in Dubai’s Al Wasl since 2018, with a second licensed branch opening in 2020. The venue is an Instagrammer’s dream, with plenty of pink throughout, but the love for the colour doesn’t end there. No, the menu also features rose-coloured plates, from the Beet You Up (an avo toast with beetroot hummus) to the signature pink pancakes. Our pick of the bunch? Issa Florentine Ting. To Ànd out more, we chatted to head chef Sagar Kumar, who said that since joining the team in 2018 pink has (unsurprisingly) become one of his favourite colours. He added, “There’s now a shared recognition that pink can be pretty and powerful.” O Khalifa City Community Market, Khalifa City, lovevibecafe.com (02 622 0393). THE PERFECT COMBO “We have crafted this dish by adding sweet, citrus, and tangy Áavours together with a balance of protein, vitamins, Àbre, antioxidants & carbohydrates.” THE SECRET SAUCE “One ingredient hint is beetroot.” The rest? Well, that’s a secret. All we know is that this fabulous sauce is really tasty and really pink, making it perfect for the ‘gram. THE EDIBLE FLOWERS “Edible Áowers give culinary meals depth and reÀnement. Many edible Áowers are also nutrient- rich and include anti-inÁammatory antioxidants.” THE ENGLISH MUFFIN “We added beetroot colour to the classic English mufÀn, which is made in-house.” More beetroot, more pink... we’re seeing a trend here. Order this dish ASAP. Issa Florentine Ting at Love Vibe CaféFUNNY FILIPINOS DUBAI Sunday September 10, 7pm Stand-up comedians Imah Dumagay, Alex Calleja, and Andrew Orolfo share jokes on the Filipino experience in Dubai. From Dhs100. Radisson RED Hotel Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. KISS Friday October 13, 7pm American rock legends KISS will return to Dubai this October for one last show. From Dhs295. Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai. THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN Friday October 20, 7pm British boybands Blue, Boyz Life and Five are coming to Dubai for a special concert at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. From Dhs225. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Al Garhoud. FRIDA Y 13 TH OCT 2023 BLUE BOYZLIFE FIVE LOADED Saturday November 4, 7pm Four incredible bands, including Stereo MC’s, Fun Loving Criminals, Toploader, and Dodgy, come together for one night. From Dhs175. Irish Village, Al Gharhoud. IAN BAGG Saturday September 23, 7.30pm Canadian comedian Ian Bagg is bringing his quick wit to the Theatre by QE2, along with two supporting comedians. From Dhs50. Theatre by QE2, Port Rashid, Dubai. SANJAY SABHA LIVE Saturday October 28, 7pm South Indian classical singer Sanjay Sabha will be performing a carnatic concert at the Zabeel Ladies Club. From Dhs65. Zabeel Ladies Club, Zabeel 1, Dubai. TO DXB_509_55_800 tickets_12986059.indd 5524/08/2023 11:07Next >