Abu Dhabi Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs

With 1,8M inhabitants, Abu Dhabi is the second-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after Dubai.

Even though the country is officially Islamic, it has a decent nightlife that caters mostly to expats, tourists, and businessmen. There are around 10 lively bars and nightclubs, almost all of which are located within 4- or 5-star hotels. You can find a crowded event most days of the week, except during Ramadan when everything is closed.

That said, not everything is perfect. The main problem is that very few women go clubbing in Abu Dhabi, so it is not rare to have bars full of guys (minus the prostitutes). To avoid that, select your venues carefully and keep an eye out for ladies nights.

Another issue is that prices are generally quite high. A cocktail in a high-end bar will easily reach US$20, and a beer US$10. To order bottle service, be ready to spend at least US$500 for one bottle. It is a good idea to check for happy hours, usually from 5PM to 8PM.

If you want to know more about Abu Dhabi nightlife, just scroll down and read all my tips below: The best hotels near the nightlife, how to buy alcohol, how to meet people, the best time to party, how to dress, what to bring with you, and a list of my favorite bars and clubs.

Abu Dhabi Nightlife Areas + Hotels

Abu Dhabi nightlife is spread over a rather large area. You may need more than 30 minutes to reach some clubs, so it's important to choose the right neighborhood, depending on your taste.

Yas Island

If you want to party in the hippest venues like Iris or White, you should stay on Yas Island. It is ideal in particular for those who need to be near Ferrari World, the F1 Circuit, the Yas Mall, and the Yas Marina.

Where to stay on Yas Island?

It is best to choose one of the 6 hotels within the complex Yas Plaza as you will find many dining and drinking options there. Among them, Park Inn By Radisson has high ratings and it is well-priced (US$165/night).

Another great option, yet more expensive, is the Hilton Yas Bay which is part of a complex with several reputed nightlife venues (including White, Café del Mar, and Lock, Stock and Barrel).

Note: The prices of hotels in Abu Dhabi can double or even triple during special events, notably the F1 Grand Prix.

Tourist Club Area (near Capital Park)

Al Zahiyah and Al Danah, also called the Tourist Club Area, is where you have the highest concentration of bars (many of which can be quite seedy and full of prostitutes). It is an older part of the city that can be interesting for tourists, but it is not so modern nor beautiful. Choose this area if you want to experience the busy city life.

Where to stay in the Tourist Club Area?

Le Royal Méridien is reasonably priced (US$100 in low season), and it is ideally located. For nightlife lovers, it has three popular bars: Illusions (see review below), PJ O'Reilly's Irish Pub and the rooftop lounge Stratos. There is another Le Méridien, also in the Tourist Club Area, which is also interesting as it is home to the sports bars 49ers.

A more affordable option is Al Maha Arjaan Hotel by Rotana (around US$70 per night).

In the midrange category, Novel Hotel (ex-Mercure) is interesting for some tourists. It has a bar called Cyclone (ex-Blitz) that has live music. It's quite popular with the Arab crowd. Many Chinese and Pinay prostitutes work there as well.

Al Bateen/Corniche Beach

This area, particularly between Corniche Beach (St Regis Hotel) and Al Bateen Marina, is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi. There are only a few upscale bars around, but it is only 15 minutes away from the Tourist Club Area. Stay there if you want to live in a beautiful and relaxing neighborhood.

Where to stay in Al Bateen?

Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi is a new 5-star hotel that opened in 2018. Gorgeous design, great views. Around US$200.

Are Abu Dhabi Hotels Guest-Friendly?

Almost all the 4 and 5-star hotels in Abu Dhabi, especially those from international chains, are guest-friendly. This means that you can invite a guest to your room, man or woman, even if that person was not originally on your booking.

However, any visitor will always be required to register at the reception and to show their ID.

Buying Alcohol in Abu Dhabi

If you are over 21 and a non-Muslim, you will have three ways to buy alcohol in Abu Dhabi:
- The easiest is to get some bottles at the duty-free in the airport, just after the luggage pick-up (up to 4 liters per person)
- You can also apply online for a special license that will allow you to purchase alcohol from liquor stores like Spinney's (several outlets all over the city).
- Finally, you can just buy drinks/bottles in a bar or a club, and drink on the spot

Meeting People in Abu Dhabi

The dating world in Abu Dhabi is very contrasted whether you are a man or a woman. As elsewhere in the UAE, it is also highly segregated by ethnicity and by wealth.

As a man, it is very unlikely that you will get to meet, talk, or hang out with a single Emirati girl (except in a professional environment). So you can just forget about this option.

The single girls you might meet will always be foreigners, from various backgrounds.

There are many Arabic women from other countries (Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian, etc) but in the best scenario, you'll just get to chat with them online and you'll never meet.

You have the Indonesian or Filipino maids, especially on social media or dating sites (especially on Tinder, Badoo, OkCupid), but they are not often free to do what they want, and they work almost all the time. You can also meet some in Filipino clubs like the Cosmo in Strand Hotel.

There are also quite many flight attendants, in particular from Etihad Airways (Tinder, Bumble, Happn, Hinge). They come from all over the world, and you'll often see them in high-end nightclubs and bars. You cannot imagine how much attention they receive from guys, so don't expect to approach them easily unless you have good money, status and/or looks.

English teachers are also plentiful and they are easier to date.

In the end, apart from the famous dating apps, your best bet is to go to the most successful ladies' nights in Abu Dhabi, like the one in Iris on Wednesdays.

The luxury dating website Seeking.com is very popular among expats and business travelers. While it is more expensive than its competitors, it also has an excellent ratio of 4 girls for 1 guy.

Abu Dhabi Nightlife Tips

Here are a few things you should know to prepare for your nights out in Abu Dhabi:

Bring your ID

You can enter a bar or a nightclub in Abu Dhabi only if you are over 21. Showing your ID is often compulsory (passport recommended).

Price of Clubbing

Partying in Abu Dhabi is rather expensive if you are a guy (girls can find free drinks almost any day of the week). The best clubs will often charge at least AED 100 for entrance (with one or two drinks) on weekends. On top of that, you will pay around AED 30 for a beer and AED 50 for a cocktail.

Overall, for a typical night out, expect to spend AED 300-500.

Dress Code

You should always dress up when you visit a bar or a club in Abu Dhabi: Wear pants, closed shoes and a collared shirt. It is very common for non-accompanied guys to be denied entry at a club (particularly if your skin is dark).

As I mentioned earlier, racial and class segregation is common in Abu Dhabi and, unsurprisingly, the dress code will often be used as an excuse to exclude some nationalities from entering a venue.

When to Party

Since the weekend in the Emirates is on Friday and Saturday, the busiest nights of the week are Thursday and Friday. On the other nights, bars can be quite empty unless there is a special event or a ladies' night. Most venues close at 3AM or 4AM.

The best time of the year to party in Abu Dhabi is during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Most of the action happens on Yas Island, near the racetrack. You can expect some famous DJs or singers to come for the occasion.

On the contrary, the worst time is during Ramadan. Then, there is no nightlife in Abu Dhabi. Some clubs stay open but there won't be any music or alcohol.

Weekly and monthly events:

To check the latest clubbing events in Abu Dhabi, you can have a look at Abu Dhabi Nights and Abu Dhabi Nightlife Guide.

Internet Censorship in Abu Dhabi

Many websites are blocked in Abu Dhabi, including those about gambling, streaming, and pornography. Personally, I use VyprVPN and I'm very happy with it. If you are confused about how it works, please read my article: How to Unblock Websites with VPN.

Best Bars and Nightclubs in Abu Dhabi

This is a list of my top venues to party in Abu Dhabi.

White in Yas Bay

This is probably the most famous nightclub in Abu Dhabi. It is mainly a bottle club, upmarket, that consists of a large main room and a smaller VIP area. The crowd is mostly Arabic and rich. Opened only on Fridays and Saturdays until 3.30 AM. For guys to enter, you'll probably need to buy a bottle and spend at least AED 500. For girls, you can get 3 drinks for AED 100. The music is usually hip hop and R'n'B, with both DJs and live singers.

Also in Yas Bay, you can check out the party bar Lock, Stock, and Barrel.

Iris (Yas Marina)

This outdoor bar-club-lounge-restaurant is only open during the colder season, between fall and winter. Upscale crowd, mostly Arabic and Western (seems that Blacks and Asians have issues getting in). As usual in this kind of venue, dress chic, and make a reservation if possible. Without a lady with you, you will have to buy a bottle to enter. Music is good, mostly house/EDM/chillout. Some famous international DJs have played there like Erick Morillo or Roger Sanchez.

They have a popular brunch on Friday for around 200 AED per person. The Ladies Night on Wednesday is interesting too (girls get 3 free drinks).

Stars and Bars in Yas Marina

American-style sports bars, originally from Monaco. Popular with Western expats. The outdoor area has a nice view of the Viceroy Hotel. Recommended for watching sports in Abu Dhabi.

Generous ladies night on Wednesday (4 free drinks). Popular Latin night on Thursdays (Reggaeton).

Porter's in Grand Millenium Hotel

Classic English pub with reasonable prices (27 AED for half a pint of beer, 45 AED for a cocktail). Karaoke on Sundays, Ladies night (3 free drinks) on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Brunch on Fridays. Daily live band.

There are two similar pubs in Abu Dhabi: Victor's in Hilton Grand Capital and Cooper's in Park Rotana Hotel. Both are perfect for meeting other expats living in the city. In particular, you can check the karaoke ladies night in Victor's on Wednesday (5 free drinks).

Histeria in Hilton Capital Grand

Histeria is an elite, medium-sized lounge with a modern design. It's mostly geared towards Arab clients, with Arabic music nights several times a week. I talked to a group of Moroccan girls there but they turned out to be high-end escorts. Free bar for ladies from 11PM to 2AM on Monday.

Wize Monkey in Novotel Al Bustan

Previously called Onyx, this lounge caters mostly to Arabic people. It's a bit far from the Tourist Club Area. Ladies night on Thursdays.

The Exchange and 49'ers in Le Méridien

Le Méridien has two bars: The Exchange is bigger, with an English live band, and targets Arabs/Western expats. 49ers is an American sports bar and steak restaurant, also with live music.

Both have many working girls, particularly Asians.

Good to know: Free drinks for women in 49ers on Monday and Tuesday from 7PM to 9PM.

Illusion in Le Royal Méridien Hotel

This small nightclub is also known as one of the most famous prostitution spots in Abu Dhabi. 200 AED entrance charge with 1 free drink for non-hotel guests (free on weekdays). Many working girls from various nationalities, particularly from Eastern-European or Russian-speaking countries.

Le Royal Méridien Hotel also has two other bars: PJ O'Reilly (Irish Pub) and Stratos (panoramic revolving bar).

Emirates Plaza Hotel

This unique 2-star hotel in the Tourist Club area has several "ethnic" nightclubs inside its walls, including Maharaja and Club Freeze. They are rather cheap places, targeting expats with lower salaries. Crowded on weekends.