The weather’s taking another strange turn this weekend with a forecast of cloudy skies and wind and maybe even rain. But don’t worry we’ve lined up some of the coolest venues around Dubai to make sure you make the most of the next two days.
We’re kicking off the weekend at a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant, having an early Thursday evening brunch at 360° and, warm weather permitting, a late night swim could also be on the cards.
Kick off the weekend at a speakeasy
Start the weekend early with a Thursday business lunch or after work dinner at R Trader. The prohibition-themed restaurant and bar has a mischievous and faintly illicit atmosphere that’s perfect for the start of the weekend, with beautifully crafted and uncomplicated lunchtime and evening dishes. Pictured is the braised beef cheek (cleverly paired with pickled onion to cut through its robustness). The menu changes every week so there’s always something different to try and the house rules are simple: ‘no selfies, no sticks, no exceptions’. With two courses for Dhs95 and three for just Dhs125, it’s the perfect place for an end of week power lunch or a catch up with the girls in preparation for the weekend. R Trader is situated in Al Futtan Currency House, DIFC. Call (04) 343 5518 or visit rtraderdubai.com
Get a head start on brunch
If Friday just feels too far away, 360° is now offering a Thursday evening brunch at their award-winning venue so you can get a head start. While nothing will ever replace the love this city has for its Friday brunch, the increasingly popular Thursday evening brunches are the perfect way to ease yourself into the weekend. The new 180° night is here to help you to make a 180° on your working week, with free flowing food and house beverages overlooking the panoramic sea views that Dubai is so famous for. From 7-10pm, enjoy pan-Asian nibbles and innovative bar snacks for Dhs295, then stay and enjoy the party until its 3am close with a line-up of diverse dance DJs. Located at the end of Jumeriah Beach Hotel’s Marina walkway. jumeirah.com
Get in on the act with DJ Junior J
Get in the act at the region’s first theatre club, imported straight from Las Vegas. Normally known for its risqué performances and theatrical feats, Thursday nights are all about hip hop with the return of DJ Junior J, who’ll be bringing the best in Hip Hop and R&B from West Hollywood to East Berlin and back to the UAE. Dubai With Attitude starts with The Act’s famous Peruvian A La Carte Dinner from 8.30pm and the party lasts till 3am. Located at The Shangri La Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, reservations are required so call (04) 3551116 or email reservations@theactdubai.com
Dance to the tunes of Avicci
Swedish superstar DJ Avicii is bringing his party anthems, including chart topping hits like Wake Me Up, to Dubai’s World Trade Centre this Friday. This is the DJ’s first gig in Dubai after he canceled his 2014 gig due to ill health. So, expect him to pull out all the stops. Here’s why you need to go to this gig.
Zabeel Halls 4 and 5, World Trade Centre, Dubai, 9pm, Dhs395. Buy tickets here.
Getting involved in some horse play
Put on your finest glad rags and head to the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2016, a prestigious polo event under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Polo players are swapping turf for the golden sands of a one-of-a-kind, purpose-built polo venue at Skydive Dubai. A limited number of tickets are still available for both days at platinumlist.net. Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, Al Sufouh, 5pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday, Dhs95 for one day, Dhs145 for both days.
Watch Emirates Woman take a lesson in how to be pro polo player – feel free to laugh
Cool off with an evening dip
Just in time for the ascent into hotter weather, Le Meridian is keeping its gorgeous infinity pool open for evening swims. For Dhs150 you can end your day with a refreshing dip – Dhs100 of which goes towards food and beverage at the Horizon Pool Lounge. It’s a deliciously relaxed spot to watch the sun go down as you soak up the final rays of the day and enjoy a range of international cuisine, grape by the glass, bottled hops and beverages for Dhs30 a drink. Visit lemeridien-minaseyahi.com for more information on how to get night swimming.
Load up on a not-so-secret BBQ
An alternative to the traditional Dubai brunch, the family-friendly Italian BBQ lunch at Segreto is an ideal setting for relaxed, al fresco dining. The ‘all you can eat’ dining experience will be serving up grilled meat and vegetables as well as an assortment of seasonal salads every Saturday from 12.30pm – 5pm at Dhs185 per person on Segreto’s olive tree themed terrace. Some highlights from the newly crafted menu include lamb loin, chicken skewers and vegetable hot-pots. Call (04) 4323232 for reservations of email restaurants@jumeriah.com
Diary Date
Have a mind-bending movie and meal
Every Sunday this April, Gaucho is showing some of the best in mind-bending Hollywood films at their cinema, serving up delicious cinema bites to boot. In order to get your heart racing and your brain buzzing, this Sunday is kicking it off with the 1998 classic, A Perfect Murder. Over the following three weeks expect to see Inside Man, The Next Three Days and Vanilla Sky on each Sunday respectively. No more plastic nacho cheese and stale popcorn, the Guacho-style mini beef burgers and epicurean mini dogs add a decaent touch to the cienma experience. For further information, visit gauchorestaurants.ae and for reservations or enquiries call (04) 422 7898, or alternatively email: events.dubai@gauchorestaurants.com
