< PreviousLIVE MUSIC 30 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com O Daily 11pm-3am. Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Al Ain (056 685 3832). PENELOPE’S French restaurant and jazz bar Penelope’s now has Australian Rebecca Melrose as its resident singer, with the artist performing Àve nights a week. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you’ll get to tune into contemporary hits, while Wednesdays are all about Latin tunes. And on Fridays and Saturdays, Melrose will be belting out a mix of smooth jazz and 80s classics. O Tue-Sat 8pm-11pm. Yas Marina, Yas Island, penelopes.ae (050 204 2475). PJ O’REILLY’S One of the oldest bars in the city, PJ O’Reilly’s has long been known for its live music. On Thursdays between 8pm and 11pm, Martin Looper will be singing, while on Fridays Alron Mat will perform until 11pm. For the Saturday after-brunch entertainment, Phil will perform live from 8pm until 11pm. O Thu-Sat 8pm-11pm. Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Danah, pjspubabudhabi.com (02 695 0515). PORTERS ENGLISH PUB While Porters might perhaps be better known for its karaoke, you can see the professionals in action six nights a week. Metro Band performs here between 9.30pm and 2am from Monday to Thursday, and between 10pm and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. O Mon-Thu 9.30pm-2am; Fri-Sat 10pm-3am. Grand Millennium Al Wahda, @portersabudhabi (02 495 3936). ETIHAD ARENA Charlie Puth American superstar Charlie Puth will present his ‘Charlie’ Live Experience on Sunday October 1. ‘Charlie’ is the 2023 world tour that has captivated audiences from across the world, with the concert series making an appearance in major cities including Bangkok, Jakarta, Sydney and more in the months to come. O From Dhs245. Sun Oct 1. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, livenation.ae. Robbie Williams British popstar and former Take That member Robbie Williams will be rocking Etihad Arena on Wednesday October 18. Part of the ‘25 Years of Hits’ tour, you can expect to hear some of his biggest songs like She’s The One, Candy and Feel. O From Dhs395. Wed Oct 18. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, livenation.me.LIVE MUSIC timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 31 COYALIVE MUSIC 32 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com SAADIYAT BEACH CLUB If you’re looking for Latin beats, look no further than Saadiyat Beach Club on a Thursday evening. The newly launched Ritmo de la Noche night will see a live band perform as you dig into Latin plates between 8pm and 11pm, with the evening priced at Dhs199 per person. Get your dancing shoes on. O Thu 8pm-11pm. Saadiyat Island, saadiyatbeachclub.ae (050 132 8425). SORSO The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi will be expanding its music offering after the summer, with a four-piece band performing from Wednesday to Saturday between 9pm and midnight. Watch the sunset or go for dinner at the award-winning Li Jiang before heading here for live music to end your night. O Wed-Sat 9pm-midnight. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta (02 818 8888). STARS ‘N’ BARS When they’re not performing at Heroes Never Die, Speed Wagon are hitting the stage at Stars ‘N’ Bars. The band will perform a mix of rock ‘n’ roll classics and radio hits every Wednesday from 7pm for ladies’ night, from 7pm on Fridays, and from 4pm on Saturdays for the after-brunch party. And, on the second Thursday of the month, Speed Wagon will perform South African hits from 9pm as part of the bar’s South African theme nights. O Wed, Fri 7pm onwards; Second Thu of the month 9pm onwards; Sat 4pm onwards. Yas Marina, Yas Island, abudhabi.starsnbars.ae (02 565 0101). TAVERN Old school pub Tavern at the Sheraton along the Corniche has live music from 9.30pm until midnight from Wednesday to Friday, and on Sundays and Mondays. On Saturdays, the band rock up from 8.30pm. O Sun-Mon, Wed-Fri 9.30pm-midnight; Sat 8.30pm- midnight. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche (02 697 0260). THE G.O.A.T. Resident band G.O.A.T. Beatz performs at this venue on the 17th Áoor of the Cristal Hotel from 9.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. O Mon-Thu 9.30pm onwards; Fri-Sat 10.30pm onwards. Cristal Hotel, Madinat Zayed, @goat_auh (050 499 3953). THE WAREHOUSE Popular date night spot The Warehouse has live music every weekend. For tapas night on Thursdays, singer Tito will be there serenading you with Spanish and Latin music, while on Fridays, you can hear live music from Erick Machado. On Saturdays, the Fado E Amigos offer will see you enjoy unlimited grape or hops for Dhs165 as Monica Ferreira performs. O Thu-Sat 8.30pm onwards. Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, near ADNEC, Al Rawdah (02 307 5552). The WarehouseLIVE MUSIC timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 33 KARAOKE Appaloosa Sports Bar Kick off the weekend with some karaoke at Appaloosa, with free reign over the mic between 7.30pm and midnight every Friday. O Fri 7.30pm-midnight. Marriott Al Forsan, Khalifa City (02 201 4131). Atlon Bar & Bistro Thursdays at Atlon are all about karaoke, with the mic handed over to patrons from 8pm. Ladies can grab a free-Áowing house beverage package between 7pm and 10pm for Dhs49, while gents can get the same deal for Dhs99. Give it your all, because there are prizes on offer for the best singers of the night. Thu 8pm onwards. The Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Khor Al Maqta, @atlonabudhabi (058 575 3414). Porters English Pub The perfect time for karaoke is post- brunch, and you can do just that at Porters. Alternatively, if you’re battling the Sunday scaries, head down from 9pm and sing your head out before the start of the new week. O Sat 4.30pm-6pm; Sun 9pm-1am. Grand Millennium Al Wahda, @portersabudhabi (02 495 3936). Sing Galing Bar & Restaurant If you’d prefer to sing in front of your friends rather than in front of adoring (or booing) crowds, book a private room at Sing Galing Bar & Restaurant. O Open 5pm-3.30am. Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham Abu Dhabi City Center, Corniche (050 780 5976). The G.O.A.T. Live music venue and sports bar The G.O.A.T. also offers karaoke on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. O Fri 7pm-10.30pm; Sat 5pm-10.30pm; Sun 9.30pm onwards. Cristal Hotel, Madinat Zayed, @goat_auh (050 499 3953). AL AIN EATS 34 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Where to eat and drink in the Garden City Al Fanar Restaurant & Café FOODIE EDITION AL AIN GUIDEAL AIN EATS timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 35 AL AIN EATS 36 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Nawa Café Al Ain is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit on a day trip when you fancy getting out of the city, but if you’re only making a quick pit stop, you’re missing out on the Garden City’s burgeoning foodie scene. A haven for coffee lovers, there are lots of brilliant specialty coffee shops and cafés for you to try, as well as some really fantastic independent restaurants. So, without further ado, here’s where to eat and drink the next time you’re in Al Ain. COFFEE SHOPS AND CAFÉS DEEP If you’re a bit of a snob when it comes to your brews, then you should get yourself down to this roastery and café. Whether you keep it simple with an espresso or prefer a piccolo, you’ll be able to order it here, and there are a number of manual brewing options, too. DEEP is also known for its breakfasts, with options including avocado on toast, egg sando and trufÁe egg tacos. You should also keep an eye on Instagram for upcoming coffee or tea- related workshops. O Open daily 6.30am-midnight. Al Ameriya, Al Ain, @deep.uae (050 200 0617). MARGIN A minimalist’s dream, Margin is certainly worthy of the ‘gram. Aside from snapping pictures, Margin is a great spot for a coffee with a lively ambiance (read: it’s always rather busy, so expect to wait to get a seat, or order coffee to your car). The matcha varieties are particularly popular, and perfectly paired with a dessert – our pick would have to be the San Sebastian cheesecake. O Open daily 7am-midnight. Al Tiwayya, Al Ain, @margin. ae (052 595 1686). NAWA CAFÉ Al Ain is commonly known as the Garden City of the UAE, and you can get a taste for that indoors at NAWA Café. The space is Àlled with greenery, and you’ll be able to sip on your coffee while listening to the soothing sounds of Áowing water from the fountains. Whatever your coffee order, don’t miss the signature French toast, which is stuffed with nutella. O Open daily 8am-midnight. Al Tiwayya, Al Ain, @ nawacafe_uae (050 658 4176). NOTES CAFÉ Thinking about seeing the sites of Al Ain? You can wander around Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa before popping into Notes Café, the coffee shop inside the restored historic house which is great for culture lovers. If it’s a long day of exploring ahead of you, you can fuel up with breakfast or a sandwich here. And for those who brew at home, there are beans available for purchase. O Open 7am-11pm. Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa, Al Mu’tarid, Al Ain, @notescafe.ae (03 753 1517). NO8 Specialty coffee shop no8 serves up brilliant cups of joe in a minimalist space. Alongside coffee, no8 serves up plain or stuffed croissant options perfect for a light breakfast, and there’s also a family-only space upstairs, if you’re bringing along the little ones. O Open daily 8am-midnight. Central District, Al Ain, @numbereight.ae (056 595 6180). REFILL COFFEE ROASTERY Another fantastic option for coffee connoisseurs, the team at ReÀll Coffee Roastery know their beans. The coffee on offer here is carefully selected and roasted in small batches, meaning you’ll get to enjoy the best of the best on every single visit. Should you want to learn from the masters, you can also sign up for home brewing or barista courses here. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll open your own coffee shop to rival ReÀll Coffee Roastery. O Open daily 7am-11pm. Hili Industrial Area, Al Ain, @reÀll.roastery (03 753 1351). REVERSE CAFÉ The gorgeous two-storey Reverse Café can be found near the Al Ain Ladies Club in Bida Bin Ammar. Expect neutral décor throughout, a wide range of hot and cold coffees to satisfy your caffeiene craving, and really fantastic desserts (we’re recommend trying the really tasty matcha tiramisu).AL AIN EATS timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 37 Table OttoAL AIN EATS 38 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com O Open Sun-Thu 7am-midnight; Fri-Sat 7am-1am. Bida Bin Ammar, Asharej, Al Ain, @reversecafe (03 753 2532). RITUAL CAFÉ If you’re the kind of person who can’t start their day until you’ve had a cup of coffee, you’ll be in good company at Ritual Café. The menu features all the standard coffee options, alongside more unique brews like dates coffee, blue matcha or the signature spark coffee, with beetroot and ginger. The menu also spans breakfast, salads and sandwiches, should you be feeling peckish on your coffee run in Al Ain. O Open daily 7am- midnight. Al Khibeesi, Al Ain, @ritual_ae (03 753 2600). TABLE OTTO The Yas Mall branch of this breakfast and coffee spot was Highly Commended at the latest Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards back in May, and we’d highly recommend popping in to the Al Ain branch if you’re in the area. Expect the same great service, super coffee and delicious breakfasts in an aesthetic space, this time at Al Jimi Mall. O Open Sun-Thu 9am-11am; Fri-Sat 9am-midnight. Al Jimi Mall, Al Ain, tableotto.ae (03 766 2386). ZOI CAFE For coffee in an exceptional setting, it has to be ZOI CAFE’s branch at Al Qattara Arts Centre. If you can tear your eyes away from the gorgeous space and views, you’ll be able to order a number of coffee options, including cascara, saffron latte and V60 brews, as well as pides fresh from the oven. Open daily 8am-midnight. Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Ain, @zoiuae (056 996 8901). RESTAURANTS AL BAIK Saudi-born fried chicken brand Al Baik has legions of fans across the Middle East, with the Àrst branch in the UAE opening at Expo 2020 Dubai back in 2021, with a branch opening in the capital in Al Wahda Mall last “You can now get patties from the UAE’s best burger joint in the UAE in the Garden City” year. And now you can get a taste in Al Ain, with the opening of the 11th branch in the emirates at Al Ain Mall. O Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-midnight. Al Ain Mall, Al Murabaa, Al Ain. AL FANAR RESTAURANT & CAFÉ Step back in time at Al Fanar Restaurant & Café. The Emirati restaurant, which was inspired by 1960s Dubai and has outlets across the emirates and in Saudi Arabia, has a gorgeous outdoor area, making it a must- visit as the weather cools down in October. If you’re here for breakfast, order one of the trays, and if you visit later in the day, opt for one of the machboos dishes. Expect Emirati hospitality and really great food. O Open daily 9am-10pm. Souq Al Zafarana, Al Jimi, alfanarrestaurant.com (03 766 5200). EDEN ROCK RESTAURANT Driving to the top of Jebel Hafeet is one of the top things to do while in Al Ain (it was named one of the best drives in the world for a reason), and if you make a beeline for Mercure Grand Hotel Jebel Hafeet, you can enjoy international plates with a side of valley views without having to hike, or, for the very brave, cycle the way up. O Open daily 10am-11pm. Mercure Grand Hotel Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain (03 783 8888). LEISURE CENTER First opened in 2001, Leisure Center has been one of the top restaurants in Al Ain for more than two decades. Meant to feel like a home away from home, you can pull up a chair in the outdoor area and enjoy the greenery. Perfect for families, you can try a number of Arabic dishes and grills, while any not-so- adventurous eaters in your crew can order pasta or pizza. O Open 24/7. Central District, Al Ain (03 766 1116). LOVE RESTAURANT You’ll no doubt fall in love with Love Restaurant at Al Ain Mall thanks to the abundance of Áowers (red, of course) throughout the space. Offering up Italian, Japanese and pan-Asian bites, there’s something to please everyone. AL AIN EATS timeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 39 PicklNext >