< Previous10 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com City of sports FIGHT NIGHT UFC294: Makhachev vs Oliveira Abu Dhabi will once again see Islam Makhachev take on Charles Oliveira at Etihad Arena. Just 12 months ago, Makhachev walked away as the winner, but a lot has happened since then. Don’t miss it. O From Dhs500. Sat Oct 21. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, etihadarena.ae. COURTSIDE ACTION NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 The Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be playing two preseason games this month. You’ll also be able to visit the NBA District at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and check out a number of fan experiences. O From Dhs245. Thu Oct 5, Sat Oct 7 8pm onwards. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, etihadarena.ae. Pool day for less The Abu Dhabi EDITION has launched a new offer just in time for the cooler weather. You’ll be able to book in for a 30-minute massage at EDITION Spa before spending the day relaxing poolside for just Dhs350. Better still, you’ll get Dhs100 back to spend on food and beverages at the pool bar. O Dhs350. Daily 10am-7pm. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0223). MAKI MADNESS Bargain sushi night launches at Siddharta Sushi lovers, this one’s for you – Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar has just launched an unlimited sushi night at a bargain price. For Dhs99, you’ll get to dig into as much sushi and sashimi as you want between 7pm and 11pm every Wednesday evening. We imagine the deal will be popular, so make sure you book in advance or risk missing out. O Dhs99. Every Wed 7pm-11pm. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island (050 601 1194). PINKTOBER ADCB pink run to return Now in its 12th year, the annual event is focused on creating awareness about breast cancer during the month of October. In partnership with Danat Al Emarat Hospital, proceeds from the ADCB Pink Run 2023 will be donated to the Al Jalila Foundation for Breast Cancer Initiatives. O From Dhs90. Sat Oct 21 6.30am onwards. Zayed Football Stadium, Zayed Sports City, Al Rawdah, gulfmultisport.inphota.com. Oktoberfest 2.0 Yes, we hear you, purists – Oktoberfest should already be over by the Àrst weekend of October. But the offers are continuing throughout the city, and our pick this month would have to be Stills. Pay a visit between October 13 and October 15 and you can enjoy a buffet of Bavarian delicacies paired with German hops and live music from Munich-based band Gaudiblosn. O Dhs159 (soft drinks), Dhs259 (German hops). Fri Oct 13-Sun Oct 15 7pm-11pm. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island (02 656 3066).With cooler winds blowing across the UAE, the new season is almost upon us. Whether that means dining alfresco, going to gigs or lounging on the beach, you’re in the right place. That’s because Abu Dhabi has just launched its ‘Can’t Wait to Winter’ campaign... LIVE EVENTS Looking for something fun to do? The NBA Abu Dhabi Games, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, featuring UFC294, are all happening this year. As is the Hyperound K-Fest music festival. Other big events to look out for include Robbie Williams Winter in Abu Dhabi Here’s why you should be excited about everything going on this season and Arijit Singh concerts, plus Hamilton and Disney on Ice. THRILLING ATTRACTIONS Raise your heart rate with some outdoor dune bashing or quad-biking through Abu Dhabi’s dunes. Or head inside to indoor adventure hubs CLYMB, Circuit X and Adrenark. If you prefer your thrills without raised pulses, there’s Snow Abu Dhabi and the newly opened SeaWorld Yas Island. CULTURE TRIPS Those seeking a slice of the art and culture scene can head to the spectacular Louvre Abu Dhabi to see world-famous artworks. Or explore Emirati traditions at Qasr Al Hosn, House of Artisans and Qasr Al Watan, which explains the emirate’s rich history. NATURAL WONDERS Make the most of the temperate weather by heading to Saadiyat Beach Club or one of Abu Dhabi’s many public beaches for a relaxing day on the sand. Don’t miss booking a sunrise kayak experience through the mangroves, and for total serenity book a private retreat at Nurai Island. O visitabudhabi.ae/campaign/winter; visitabudhabi.ae/events. Partner FeatureSUNDOWNERS 12 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Sun goe West Bay LoungeSUNDOWNERS timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 13 es down Perfect spots for watching the sunset with a tipple or twoSUNDOWNERS 14 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Beach House Nothing makes us think “gosh, we love living here” more than the winter months, particularly when we have a tipple in hand and we’re watching the sunset. Whether we’ve got our toes in the sand at the beach, or we’re admiring the city from above, nobody does sundowners quite like Abu Dhabi. Want to experience the best of the city at sunset? Then you need to be hitting up these 30 bars and restaurants this October. Don’t worry – there’s still a few indoor options should the summer humidity stick around for a little too long this month. BY THE BEACH ANTONIA This Italian restaurant earned high praise at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2023 – and with good reason. Not only does Antonia boast brilliant superb pizzas (made using a 50-year-old sourdough starter passes down by chef Simone Federici’s nonna and served “al taglio”, aka by the slice), but it also has sensational views of Soul Beach. The outdoor area is the perfect spot for sundowners, people-watching, and a slice (or two). For a pre-sundowner treat, opt for the aperitivo special and get two mixed drinks and a half-tray of classic pizza for Dhs80 per person between 3pm and 6pm from Monday to Wednesday. For those who are missing summers spent in Italy, the Italian mixed drinks here in particular are a must order. O Open daily noon-11pm. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, antoniarestaurant.com (02 667 2554). B-LOUNGE The Àrst of many sundowner spots along the Corniche, B-Lounge is located at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi. Pull up a chair by the bar, or sit in one of the cosy cabanas, and order one of the mixed drinks, which include frozen varieties that are perfect for cooling down with. Make a day of it by booking the pool day pass, which is priced at Dhs150 on weekdays, with Dhs100 back to spend on F&B, and Dhs200 on weekends, with Dhs125 in credit. O Open daily noon-2.30am. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche (02 697 0364). BEACH HOUSE Serving up mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine and jaw-dropping views, Beach House, which was Highly Commended for Best Outdoor Restaurant at this year’s Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards, has long been one of our favourite spots for sundowners and date nights. As the name suggests, Beach House is right next to the sandy shores of Saadiyat Beach, and forms part of the glam Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. Walk from the hotel, beyond the beautiful pool and lounges, then get comfortable in one of the table seats or sofas (there is no bad seat or view here.) You can feel the Gulf breeze at the cool outdoor spot, but you’re not sitting with your feet in the sand and you don’t have to be concerned about high tide. Add in a DJ playing lounge beats and the totally chill vibe, and this is a place to watch the sunset or stay until the small hours. O Open Mon-Thu 12.30pm-midnight, Fri-Sun 12.30pm- 1am. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas, Saadiyat Island, hyattrestaurants.com (02 407 1138). BUDDHA-BAR BEACH Highly Commended for Best Bar Food at this year’s Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards, Buddha-Bar Beach is a perfect spot for a bite and a tipple while enjoying the sunset. The outdoor terrace has a restaurant-style set-up on decking as well as sofas right on the beach perfect for a laidback drink for you to choose from. With the perfect setting, food and vibe, Buddha-Bar Beach delivers by the bucket (and spade) load. Add it to your sundowners rotation ASAP, particularly if you, or whoever you’re heading out with, is a fan of sushi and sashimi. Plus, if you’re celebrating a special occasion (or just feeling bougie), it’s a great venue for grabbing oysters. O Open Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 1pm-1am; Sun 1pm-midnight. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, buddhabarbeachabudhabi.com (02 498 8888). CAFÉ DEL MAR An offshoot of the famous Ibiza beach club, Café del Mar Abu Dhabi is an uber-cool spot where you’ll Ànd Mediterranean-inspired dishes and Middle Eastern favourites, plus SUNDOWNERS timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 15 Buddha-Bar BeachSUNDOWNERS 16 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Azura Panoramic LoungeSUNDOWNERS timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 17 plenty of premium beverages and upbeat vibes. There’s a man made beach for those toes-between-the-sand sundowner moments, and a pool for cooling off in. The huge screen at the venue counts down to sunset, and from Monday to Friday for an hour after the sun passes the horizon you can get a 50 percent discount on house beverages, with prices starting from Dhs25. O Open Mon-Fri 10am-11pm; Sat-Sun 10am-midnight. Yas Bay, Yas Island, cafedelmarabudhabi.com (050 402 2283). NASMA BEACHFRONT BAR Laidback beach bar Nasma can be found at the Saadiyat Rotana. Choose from swings, cabanas and bean bags and pull up a chair to incredible sunset views while enjoying music from a live DJ playing chilled out beats. O Open daily noon-11pm. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island, rotana.com (02 697 0127). SAADIYAT BEACH CLUB While we’d obviously encourage you to spend the full day at Saadiyat Beach Club chilling in a sunlounger or strolling along the picture- perfect sands, you can also pop-in for just for sundowners, when the space is particularly picturesque. Pay a visit to the newly relaunched La Salle Bistro for French cuisine, and cheers the sunset with oysters and a glass of bubbly. We can’t think of a better way to spend an evening. O Open daily 8am-7.30pm. Saadiyat Island, saadiyatbeachclub.ae (02 656 3501). SMOKIN’ PINEAPPLE If you haven’t paid a visit to Nurai Island yet, you really, really need to correct that. Found just a 15-minute boat journey off of Saadiyat Island, the island offers an idyllic escape from the city without a long drive (or a Áight). Every venue here is gorgeous, but for sundowners, make a beeline for Smokin’ Pineapple, which recently reopened in mid-September. The beach hut style bar will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Bali, and you can sip on a mixed drink in one of the hammocks or swings while admiring the sunset. You don’t need to be staying on the island to visit here, but you will need a reservation if you want to head to Smokin’ Pineapple. O Open daily 11am-11pm. Nurai Island, off Saadiyat Island, nuraiisland.com (02 617 2211). TING IRIE Another spot along the ever-popular foodie hub Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Ting Irie’s outdoor terrace was recently upgraded, and is now Àlled with bamboo structures shading you from the sun as you admire the view. House beverages start from Dhs30 all-day everyday, and the Jamaican restaurant’s menu includes cans of a certain Notting Hill favourite hops as well as draught options plus grape and mixed drinks. On the food front, expect classics like jerk chicken or falafel, oxtail and beans, goat curries and more. There’s also an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu. O Open daily 11am-11.30pm; Fri 11am-midnight; Sat-Sun 10am-midnight. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, tingirie.com (02 886 7786). WEST BAY LOUNGE For a top-notch sundowner experience along the Corniche, you should head on over to West Bay Lounge. After all, the boho-chic lounge wasn’t named the Best Outdoor Restaurant at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2023 for no reason. Here, you’ll get to enjoy beachside dining while admiring the Arabian Gulf (and the iconic Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi just across the way). On the menu, you’ll Ànd plates from all over the globe including sushi and sashimi, pasta, fresh seafood and grilled meats alongside mixed drinks, hops, grape and bubbly. Shisha is also served here. O Open daily noon-1am. Abu Dhabi Corniche, westbayabudhabi.com (02 692 4375). Smokin’ PineappleSUNDOWNERS 18 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR TERRACES AZURA PANORAMIC LOUNGE This place takes chilling out to a whole new level (three of them, to be exact). The sprawling 1,600-metre space at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi serves up Instagram-worthy vistas of the beautiful Corniche and the Arabian Gulf that more than does justice to the name. The lounge cooks up supremely tasty bar bites sharing-style, with items including crispy calamari, pomegranate arancini, and panko-fried olives among the highlights. The lounge also runs a sunset hour special every Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm until 7pm with 50 percent off selected beverages. O Open Tue-Sun 4pm-12.30am. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Towers, Corniche Road West, azuraabudhabi.com (02 694 4553). GLO So much more than your average pool bar, Glo can be found at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi, and boasts views over the water from Al Maryah Island. The venue is dotted with ‘globrellas’, metallic sculptures inspired by palm trees, and you should grab a chair by the bar or relax on a day lounger. O Open Sun-Thu 6pm-1am; Fri-Sat 6am-2am. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550). HAKKASAN Time Out Abu Dhabi’s Best Chinese Restaurant is always worth a visit, especially if you’re a lover of dim sum (and let’s be honest, even if you’re not, the dim sum at Hakkasan is bound to convert you). If you’re a fan of sundowners with a view, you won’t be disappointed on that front, either. The outside terrace might not be high above the city, but from this vantage point you can gaze up at the skyscrapers of the Corniche. Celebrating a special occasion? Then the bubbles & bites offer is a must. Running between 6pm and 8pm from Saturday to Thursday, you’ll be able to order a bottle of French bubbly with two bites for Dhs398. O Open Sun-Fri 6pm-11.30pm; Sat noon-3.30pm, 6pm-11.30pm. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, hakkasan.com/abu-dhabi (02 690 7739). LI JIANG Winner in the Best Asian Restaurant category at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2023, Li Jiang serves up expertly prepared pan-Asian dishes as well as grand views out to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. A live DJ pumps out tunes in the evenings and there’s a daily happy hour running between 5pm and 7pm, with mixed drinks from Dhs35, making it one of our favourite sundowner spots in the capital. O Daily 5pm-11pm. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta, ritzcarlton.com (02 818 8203). RAMSA We don’t throw the phrase around lightly, but we consider Ramsa to be a bit of a hidden gem. Found at Erth, it quietly opened last year, bringing with it retro vibes and a gorgeous outdoor area. Better still, there’s a happy hour running daily between 4pm and 5pm, with two-for-one offers on selected beverages. O Open Mon-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sun 4pm-1am. Erth, Khor Al Maqta, erth.ae (02 497 5832). SONTAYA There are some spots in the city that would be nice to visit, others you know you really should make the time for at some point and then there are those you simply must visit – no excuses, no exceptions. Sontaya is one of those spots for sundowners. You almost feel like sunsets were made to be gazed at here. Sontaya – meaning sunset in Thai – will light up any night. The fantastic South East Asian cuisine, combined with a romantic vibe and those stunning views make this a date you just can’t afford to miss. O Open daily 1pm-4pm, 6pm-midnight. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island (02 498 8888). THE OVERLOOK Found on the seventh Áoor of The WB Abu Dhabi, the poolside bar boasts views over Yas Links and across the water to Al Raha Beach. Make the most of the sunset by ordering from the happy hour menu, with house beverages SontayaSUNDOWNERS timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 19 Li JiangNext >