Looking for the best spots in Abu Dhabi for evening entertainment in the capital?
Whilst it’s true that Abu Dhabi doesn’t have quite the same thriving nightlife scene as neighbouring Dubai, there’s still plenty to get excited about after dark!
Abu Dhabi nightlife rolls out across a broad spectrum of venues and styles, so there’s something for everyone stepping out into the night. From sumptuous beach bars to cosy pubs and lavish nightclubs, our list below will help you find your perfect night out.
We have tried to include details of promotions and regular ladies’ nights, but these are subject to change at short notice. Always phone ahead to check that any deal or promotion mentioned is still available.
Best Lounges & Music Venues in Abu Dhabi
Siddharta Lounge at The Trilogy by Buddha Bar
One of the newest additions to Abu Dhabi’s nightlife scene is the Trilogy by Buddha Bar at Yas Bay. The three-venue concept includes the Arabian-inspired Bushra restaurant, Zeera, which serves contemporary Indian cuisine, and the swanky rooftop Siddharta Lounge.
A delicious tapas-style menu, sophisticated signature cocktails and views across the water make Siddharta Lounge a popular spot to chill out. As the sun sets, the atmosphere intensifies with a live DJ, dancers, and acrobats on weekends and on ladies’ nights (Thursdays), making an evening at Siddharta Lounge one of a kind.
Note that a strict dress code applies, strictly no flip flops or any clothing considered beachwear.
Where to find Siddharta Lounge: The Trilogy by Buddha Bar, Pier 71, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island
Open 5:00 pm to 2:00 am daily.
Hidden Bar
Hidden, as its name suggests, inside the Rosewood Hotel is the oh-so-chic Hidden Bar. Specializing in gin, the lounge bar regularly runs a ‘Gin O’clock’ promotion, which includes 2 hours of unlimited G&Ts, house grapes and hops and an antipasti board for AED 188.
There’s a cosy outdoor terrace offering magnificent views over the water towards downtown Abu Dhabi as well as live piano music. The chilled-out vibe is perfect after you’ve spent the day at work or the beach.
Where to find Hidden Bar: Inside the Rosewood Hotel, Al Maryah Island.
Open 6:00 pm to 3:00 am daily (NB they are presently renovating indoors as of May 2025, but the outdoor terrace is still operational)
Shala Rooftop Lounge
This stylish rooftop bar in Abu Dhabi boasts panoramic views over the Arabian Sea and Saadiyat Beach, perfect for watching the sun go down before easing into the night. The open-air bar and terrace keep it fresh as you lounge on the soft sofas, perhaps partaking in some of the exotic flavours from the extensive shisha collection.
This is a great choice for Abu Dhabi nightlife if you prefer a more low-key party with a great ambience. Mediterranean-style farm-to-table food, a range of wines, and great cocktails help to loosen you into the evening.
Seating up to 40 people, this is a great private hire, ideal for your own special parties and events.
Where to find Shala Rooftop Lounge: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island
Open 5:00 pm to midnight weekdays; 5:00 pm to 1:00 am Friday and Saturday
Buddha-Bar Beach
Experience Abu Dhabi at night with the luxurious Buddha-Bar Beach. The tasteful seating is set on an elegant wooden deck right on the beach; the ideal place to watch the sunset! This venue combines tastes, great music, and style with an amazing location to create an awesome evening in the capital.
Expert mixologists use ingredients from all over the world, creating divine cocktails and mocktails to be savoured alongside chilled-out beats. Look out for regular sets by international DJs for a more energetic party vibe.
Where to find Buddha-Bar Beach: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Open 5.00 pm – 12 midnight Monday-Thursday, 1.00 pm – 1.00 am on Fridays and Saturdays and 1.00 pm – 12 midnight on Sundays.
Manhattan Lounge
One of the best hotel bars in Abu Dhabi is the elegant Manhattan Lounge, also situated at The St. Regis on Saadiyat Island. The luxurious bar and lounge is superb for groups; relax on modern couches and upholstered armchairs while sampling exceptional cocktails, with spirits such as blueberry-infused rum and honey-infused tequila.
There’s also a large terrace overlooking the gulf if you’re in need of a cool breeze. If you’re something of a cocktail connoisseur, be sure to try the Manhattan Lounge’s take on a Bloody Mary – the Arabian Snapper with a pinch of Zaatar.
Where to find Manhattan Lounge: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Open 5.00 pm – 12.00 am.
Jazz and Fizz
High up on the 36th and 37th floors of the imposing Sofitel Hotel is the elegant and refined Jazz and Fizz. Relax and unwind with a glass of bubbly as you sink into an evening of smooth jazz and Arabic tunes.
Happy Hour is between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm with 50% off of selected drinks, making it the perfect start to any Abu Dhabi evening.
Note a dress code applies. No flip-flops or tank tops.
Where to find Jazz and Fizz: The Sofitel Hotel, Capital Plaza Complex, Corniche Road East, Abu Dhabi
Open 5.00 pm – 3.00 am daily.
Best Nightclubs in Abu Dhabi
While nightclubbing in Abu Dhabi is not a big thing, they exist! Here are a few you can seek out that stay open until the early hours:
White on Yas Island
If you love a big night out to let your hair down, head to Abu Dhabi’s glitzy mega-club, ‘White’. This flamboyant party place is the largest indoor nightclub in the United Arab Emirates and will blow you away with its 360-degree projection mapping, huge LED animated screens and ultra-modern sound technology.
Saturday nights are ladies’ nights with a charge of 100 AED for ladies with three beverages included.
White is well known for its wild parties and world-class DJs, so get ready for a night to remember at the best nightclub in Abu Dhabi.
Where to find White: Yas Island, near Leisure Drive, Yas Tunnel, Abu Dhabi
Open Fridays and Saturdays 11.00 pm – 3:30 am.
Learn more about White on Yas Island here
Hysteria
If you seek a nightclub in Abu Dhabi to live it up into the early hours, Hysteria won’t disappoint. Dancing to bouncing beats under spectacular light shows will get your heart rate going, and with dynamic DJs, there are a number of different events throughout the week.
Hysteria aims to give partygoers an unforgettable experience with high-quality service and innovative concept nights. Wednesday night always goes down smoothly with DJ Smooth and tempting offers for the ladies!
Where to find Hysteria: Hilton Capital Grand, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Abu Dhabi
Open daily 7:00 pm – 3:30 am.
Relax @ 12
Here’s a rooftop Abu Dhabi night club you won’t want to pass on; sunset and a breeze on the 12th-floor terrace, anyone?
Evening drinks are hard to resist at Relax @ 12 as ambient lighting, plush red sofas and glass window walls set a decadent atmosphere. Spoil yourself with some sushi and superb cocktails before you hit the dance floor and forget all your worries up in the clouds. There’s also a hookah service to puff over some good conversation at one of the best nightclubs in Abu Dhabi.
Where to find Relax @ 12: Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel, Khaleej Alarabi Street, Adnec.
Open Saturday to Tuesday 5.00 pm – 2.00 am and Wednesday- Friday 5.00 pm -3.00 am.
Best Bars, Pubs & Restaurants in Abu Dhabi
You might also want to pop over to our guide to Friday and Saturday evening brunch deals in the Capital, and our guide to the city’s best sports bars– we’ve put together some popular venues that appeal to the masses, but there are plenty more!
Asia Asia
Fine dining at its best, Asia-Asia offers a variety of delicately prepared East Asian-inspired dishes. One of the best restaurants in Yas Bay, the indoor air-conditioned space is beautifully decorated with seats ‘under the cherry tree’, making it popular with couples looking for a romantic spot.
In addition to delicious food, the drinks menu contains an array of signature cocktails and Asian beers. Why not start the evening here before heading to one of Yas Bay’s other night spots?
For a special night out, try the Essence of Asia package, which includes a four-course tasting menu and three drinks for AED 300. It is available daily from 6:00 p.m.
Where to find Asia Asia: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island
Open Sunday to Thursday, 6.00 pm-1.00 am and 2.00 pm -1.00 am on Friday nights and Saturdays.
Lock, Stock & Barrel
If you’re looking for a grown-up but fun night out, look no further than Yas Bay’s Lock, Stock and Barrel. The outside terrace is perfect for unwinding with friends over some tasty pub grub and a few of your favourite bevvies.
Inside is a phenomenal ‘modern-industrial’ club-like space with pool tables, big-screen TVs, comfortable seating, high tables, and bar stools.
Special offers are available throughout the week, including Tipsy Tuesday (unlimited free drinks for ladies), Live Music Madness on a Wednesday (unlimited food and beverages for 200 AED), and Thirsty Thursday (free drinks for ladies). Offers are available between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Where to find Lock, Stock and Barrel: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island
Open 4.00pm-2.00am Monday to Thursday, 12 noon -3.00 am on Fridays, 1.00 pm-3.00 am on Saturdays and 12 noon-1.00 am on Sundays.
The Warehouse Wine & Tapas Bar
The Warehouse is one of the best bars in Abu Dhabi for a sophisticated yet unpretentious night out. The decor complements the bar’s focus on tapas and fine wines from around the world, with grape barrels and leather sofas giving the bar a winery vibe.
Hidden within this unassuming corner of town, there’s a lively atmosphere, good music, and loads of wine-paired deals throughout the week. An amazing promo available every day of the week is the persuasively named ‘Cheese and Wine not?’, which serves up two hours of limitless grapes, cheese, and cold cuts for 160 AED per head.
Other offers include Steak Night on Tuesday, which includes a premium Australian steak and two beverages for 190 AED, and tapas nights on Thursdays; there’s live entertainment, four tapas plates, and two hours of unlimited beverages for a very reasonable 160 AED (and they are very generous with that 2 hours!).
Where to find The Warehouse Wine & Tapas Bar: Pearl Rotana Capital Centre – Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, near ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
Open Daily 5.00pm- 2.00am.
Cooper’s
Pubs in Abu Dhabi, like Cooper’s, make for a more casual night if you’re looking for great beer and conversation away from the dress codes and flashing lights. The informal venue has dark furniture, patterned carpets and barrel tables to give it that British pub vibe and decent prices on nicely chilled beer.
Match days bring in sizeable crowds to watch the action on big screens in their sports bar and get the atmosphere pumping. No pub would be complete without some good old comfort food from the bar menu to be enjoyed alongside a few pints – besides, chicken wings and curly fries are never a bad idea.
Where to find Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant: The Park Rotana/Park Arjann, Khalifa Park Road Eastern Ring Rd, Abu Dhabi
Open 12 noon – 2.00 am Saturday to Wednesday and 12 noon – 3.00 am on Thursdays and Fridays.
Filini Garden
All great Abu Dhabi nightlife is initiated with a glorious sunset, and Filini Garden is arguably one of the best spots to experience it. You can watch the day turn to night as the sun goes down over lush golfing greens and the pretty creek below.
The atmosphere is one of a stylish garden party with a DJ spinning lounge beats. This is a popular evening haunt, so booking in advance is advisable. The Tuesday night Bellissima Ladies Night is a brilliant way to beat those working week blues, or try the All’ Italiana Friday Brunch for a value package to start your weekend.
Where to find Filini Garden: Radisson Blu, Yas Island, Yas West, Abu Dhabi
Open 5.00 pm to 1.00 am Tuesdays and Fridays, 5.00 pm – 12.00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 4.00 pm- 1.00 am on Saturdays.
Loca
Abu Dhabi ladies’ nights are a part of the party culture, but you won’t come across many Mexican bars in Abu Dhabi, making Loca Bar & Restaurant stand out. It’s a casual and fun spot to hang out and has a buzzing atmosphere.
Try some tasty dishes with friends and a range of hops, grapes, and cocktails. Mondays see offers on street-food-style plates, Wednesday is ladies’ night, and the buzzing Friday night brunch has packages starting at 145 AED. The happy hour from 12 noon until 7.00 pm Monday through Thursday will also keep a smile on your face as you bop along to some fun tunes at this unique bar.
Where to find Loca Restaurant & Bar: The Galleria, Jazeerat Al Maryah Island, Sowwah Square, Abu Dhabi
Open 12 noon – 2.00 am.
CRAFT by Side Hustle
The UAE’s first-ever microbrewery is proving to be a smash hit with expats and tourists alike. Conveniently located along the waterfront promenade of Al Maryah Island, this chic new gastropub serves up Abu Dhabi-made brews and is equally about delicious southern comfort food as it is about cold brews.
The sleek modern decor offers both family-friendly booths and a more lively bar feel to the rear. Try tap tastings or choose from their delicious cocktail menu. Nighty happy hours are on offer from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Wednesdays are ladies’ night. A DJ regularly plays to keep the party moving, but this place is rocking all on its own.
Where to find Craft by Side Hustle: Level R1, Galleria Luxury Collection, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Open 11.00 am-1.00 am Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 am – 3:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Learn more about Craft by Side Hustle here
Ray’s Bar
An oldie but a goldie on the Abu Dhabi lounge scene, Ray’s Bar is every bit as glamorous as you expect the city of Abu Dhabi to be as the sun comes down.
Situated on the 62nd floor of the glorious Etihad Towers, this cocktail lounge is the perfect spot to have sundowners and enjoy the wonderful ambience of the city from above at Abu Dhabi’s highest bar.
Deserving of the hype it receives, it’s the place we always take our visitors to town that never fails to impress with the floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering panoramic city views. Weekends often feature live bands and regular DJ entertainment to take you well into the evening in Abu Dhabi’s hottest address.
Smart casual is required to enter, and there is strictly no sportswear.
(PSST if you weren’t keen on Afternoon Tea at somewhere like Observation 300, then this is a great alternative to take in the spectacular views from Etihad Towers just a few floors lower).
Where to find Ray’s Bar: Etihad Towers, West Corniche Rd, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
Open daily from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am weekdays, 2:00 am on weekends
Mcaffertys Irish Bar
Brilliant pub grub, live music, and every international sports event you can imagine on the big screens, it’s clear to see why this Irish Pub has become an off-island favourite in Abu Dhabi.
Throw in regular bingo and quiz nights, Chipper Friday brunch, and a banging line-up of guest artists, and you have the perfect formula for a fun night out in the capital.
Where to find McAffertys: Ground Floor, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Learn more about McAfferty’s here
Drinking in Abu Dhabi – The Rules
Whilst the legal drinking age in Abu Dhabi is actually 18, licensed venues are only allowed to sell alcohol to people over the age of 21.
The UAE maintains strict rules regarding public decorum and decency. Whilst alcohol is increasingly available and is often at the heart of nightlife in Abu Dhabi, it is still illegal to be ’drunk’ in public, and public displays of affection continue to be frowned upon.
You may see some people flaunting these rules, but we encourage you to exercise caution when under the influence of alcohol in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
You can read more about Abu Dhabi’s current alcohol rules here and we also share a comprehensive guide to Abu Dhabi Dos and Don’ts to bear in mind, keeping your behaviour as a tourist in check.
Fitness & Sports After Dark in Abu Dhabi
If you’re not into the bar scene and would rather use the peaceful, cooler hours of the day to enjoy the outdoors, there are several options after dark:
- The Corniche is always a favorite after dark. Whether you run, hire a bicycle or scooter, or simply take a leisurely stroll, the 8-kilometer-long stretch of coast is the city’s most popular spot at night.
- New in summer 2025, you can now enjoy swimming at night, from the floodlit beach at Marsana East, Hudayriyat Island. Note, there is an entry charge now to enter the beach.
- Summer also brings the return of Abu Dhabi Summer of Sports. Held in air-conditioned comfort at ADNEC, the facilities here are vast. Covering sports from football to padel, action cricket or badminton, you can get your exercise fix until 1:00 AM nightly, until 21 August 2025.
- Night golf can also be enjoyed under floodlights at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, with tee-off times up to 9:30 pm (9 holes, 18 holes must tee off by 7:30 pm).
- Fancy taking a lap of the Grand Prix track? Twice a week, the gates at Yas Marina Circuit open to cyclists, runners, and walkers to take on the track with TrainYas. This is one of the best free things to do at night in Abu Dhabi!
Before you go… Important things to consider when planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack and top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Start planning your itinerary around the 60+ top places to visit in Abu Dhabi.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi.
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