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With very few exceptions, hotels are the main focus
for nightlife, since they are the places that can
serve alcohol.
Bars
The
rule of thumb seems to be anything so long as it’s
Western, with English pubs the current preferred choice
of watering hole. The Tavern at the Sheraton Resort
& Towers, & Harvester’s Pub at Sands
Hotel are the best flag-fliers. The Gauloises Club
at Le Meridien is the latest chic nightspot to arrive
in the capital. Dress is smart, & although it
does have a ‘no rules’ night, this really
means designer jeans & Versace T-shirts. US bars
are also popular, especially Heroes (Crowne Plaza)
& Island Exchange (Abu Dhabi Grand), while the
Hilton has two excellent live music venues: Hemingway’s
& the Jazz Bar. The adjoining Tequilana is also
worth a look, particularly if the karaoke urge gets
the better of you. Other popular venues include PJ
O’Reilly’s, an authentically Irishy pub
at the Abu Dhabi Grand, & 49er’s, at the
Dana Hotel – a combination Tex-Mex diner, bar
& nightclub, depending upon what time you arrive,
& hugely popular whenever.
Classic
Bars (Wine Bars)
There
are very few wine bars, but Chequers at the Sands
Hotel is definitely worth a viewing. The selection
is excellent, with superior bar food culled from rabbit,
venison & other game, while the new black &
chrome decor will appeal to 80s nostalgists.
Music
clubs (Piano Bars)
Last
but not least, there are several piano bars where
more sophisticated evening entertainment can be had.
Vincent’s Bar at the Crowne Plaza & The Piano
Lounge at Abu Dhabi Grand are two of the best.
Dancing
Nightclubs
are numerous, although most of them aim for a broader
appeal by providing food earlier in the evening. Among
the more popular venues are Colosseum at the Marina
Club, with consistently good live music, Le Gauloises
Club at Le Meridien, & Illusions at the Abu Dhabi
Grand.
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