Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend.
Thursday May 16
1. Get creative with paint and coffee
Sketch Art Café & Sketch Studio is a cool new space set to bring out your inner Picasso at Mattar bin Lahej Gallery in Al Wasl Road in Jumeirah. The space is split into two; one part studio and one part cafe, and is the brainchild of Emirati artist, Mattar Bin Lahej. At Sketch Studio, you can try your artistic skills at drawing, painting, sculpting, mosaics and even printmaking, while at Sketch Cafe you can illustrate paper coffee cups while you catch up over a refreshing beverage. At the end of the day, 10 to 20 of the most wow-worthy cups will then be selected and put on display on the Coffee Cup Wall of Fame.
Sketch Art Café & Sketch, Mattar bin Lahej Gallery, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah, Dubai, opened from 9am to 11pm daily, Ramadan timings for cafe 9am to 2pm, and will reopen after sunset, Tel: (04) 271 2603 mattargallery.ae
2. Check out a new art exhibition
I Will See It, When I Believe It is a new exhibition launching at 8pm on May 15 at Alserkal Avenue. The show is a collection of artworks by Abbas Akhavan, Farhad Moshiri, Hayv Kahraman, Laleh Khorramian, Rana Begum, Slavs and Tatars, and Sophia Al Maria. Each artist has used parts of an object or form in order to test the viewers’ brain to amalgamate a whole. The works are said to ‘possess a form of dissonance between the expected and the real, enabling a dialogue between artwork and viewer born out of confusion and failure to see a whole at once.’
The Third Line, Warehouse 78/80, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, 8pm to 11pm, May 15 to July 30. alserkalavenue.ae
3. Enjoy a beachside dinner
Beachcombers at Jumeirah Beach Hotel has launched a weekly dinner every Thursday evening by the beach. Indulge in unlimited Pan-Asian dishes with a fresh seafood station, prawn laksa live station, beef rendang and som tum green papaya salad. Running from 6pm to 11.30pm, it’s a stunning setting to enjoy great food while the sun goes down.
Beachcombers, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeira, 6pm to 11.30pm, Thursdays, from Dhs415. Tel: (04) 432 3232. jumeirah.com
4. Experience an alternative iftar menu
The stunning Hakkasan in Atlantis the Palm has an iftar menu with a cultural twist. You can expect a curated selection of incredible Cantonese cuisine including the restaurant’s famous signature peking duck. You’ll also have the chance to sample their delicious dim sum, wok-fry beef rib eye, and sa cha tiger prawns. Enjoy four courses for Dhs288 per person inclusive of water and juices.
Hakkasan, The Avenues, Atlantis the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, daily 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Dhs288. Tel: (04) 426 2626. atlantisthepalm.com
5. Relax with a night of retro games
Cove Beach is shaking up your evening routine with retro games nights daily during Ramadan. The lounge is free entry with access to arcade games, PlayStation 4, giant Jenga, backgammon and playing cards. Gather your friends and head down from 8pm into the early hours.
Cove Beach, Caesars Palace, Bluewaters, off JBR, daily 8pm to late, free. Tel: (050) 454 6920. covebeach.com
Friday May 17
6. Check out a new breakfast brunch spot
World-famous hotel, Burj Al Arab, has launched a new brunch called Le Grand Petit Dejeuner, or ‘The Grand Breakfast’, every Friday at their Al Muntaha restaurant. Served up every Friday from 10am to 3.30pm, the brunch begins with freshly prepared egg dishes brought to each guest’s table, with fancy choices such as quail eggs Florentine garnished with black truffle, and the menu’s signature dish, ‘L’Oeuf Benedicte’, which is eggs benedict with blue lobster.
Le Grand Petit Déjeuner, Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab, 10am to 3.30pm, Fridays, Dhs595. Tel: (04) 301 7600. jumeirah.com
7. Enjoy a free pool day
With the secret password ‘Tell only your best friends’, the first 100 guests will get complimentary access to Nikki Beach Dubai throughout Ramadan. Just don’t tell anyone we told you…
Nikki Beach Dubai, Pearl Jumeira, Dubai, daily 11am to 9pm. Tel: (04) 376 6162. dubai-bc.nikkibeach.com
8. Get fit for summer
Powercycle, the latest fitness craze hailing all the way from Brazil, has a studio in Dubai that’s all about the POWER. As you work the clever technology tracks your watts and power in each session so you can see how much you’ve improved over time. The class promises a combination of motivating music, electric atmosphere, and encouraging instructors so you’re bound to have a blast.
Powercycle, JBC 5 Building, Cluster W, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Sun to Thurs 7am to 9pm, Fri and Sat 8.30am to 12pm. Tel: (04) 294 4989. powercycle.ae
9. Tuck into a backyard barbecue
Maison Mathis in Arabian Ranches is hosts a weekly backyard barbecue every Friday from 7pm to 11pm. You can enjoy free-flowing bites from the grill including BBQ’d skewers, pizza, sliders, hot dogs and more for only Dhs119.
Maison Mathis, Arabian Ranches, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, 7pm t0 11pm, Fridays, Dhs119. Tel: (04) 450 1313. mm-argc.com
10. Enjoy an evening brunch at Nara Pan Asian
Indulge in an evening brunch at Nara with unlimited Asian bites including sushi and dim sum along with appetisers, tasty main courses. Feast away at the authentic menu, which will have you munching until you can’t fit anymore in.
Nara Pan Asian, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, 8pm to midnight, Fridays, Dhs299. Tel: (04) 421 1356. naradxb.com
Saturday May 18
11. Unwind with a spa day
The Spa at Address Boulevard is offering spa treatments for less from May 1 to June 30. Book in for 90-minute pamper session including 60-minute body balm massage with 30-minute detoxing body scrub for Dhs550 per person. Spend the day relaxing in the luxury spa pool for a chance to de-stress from the previous week.
The Spa at Address Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, 9am to 10pm until June 30, Dhs550. Tel: (04) 561 8126. addresshotels.com
12. Check out a new Greek restaurant
Opso, renowned London concept, has made its way over to Dubai to bring us their modern Greek culinary offering. The restaurant recently opened its doors at the fashion extension of The Dubai Mall. Guests can enjoy sharing-style tapas and delicious Greek cuisine from 7pm every day.
Opso, Fashion Extension, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, daily 7pm to 11pm. opso.ae
13. Satisfy your sweet tooth
Japanese dessert brand, M’OISHÎ, has launched six new flavours of their signature ice cream in celebration of Ramadan. The flavours are inspired by Middle Eastern delicacies; qamar el deen, umm ali, vimto, saffron, rose and arabic coffee (we love the umm ali!). The new flavours are available at all M’OISHÎ stores in Dubai including Mall of the Emirate, Dubai Festival City, City Walk and Outlet Village.
M’oishi, various UAE locations. moishi.com
14. Visit Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan is the newly opened cultural landmark housed within the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. Qasr Al Watan is Arabic for ‘Palace of the Nation’, and is a working palace that hosts official state visits and summits. Apart from admiring at the stunning Arabian architecture, visitors to the landmark will gain a deeper understanding of the UAE’s governing traditions and values, and explore a vast collection of historic artefacts and manuscripts.
Qasr Al Watan, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, everyday 10am to 8pm, Palace and Garden ticket Dhs60 adults, Dhs30 for children under 17, Garden ticket Dhs25 adults, Dhs12 for children under 17. Tel: (+971) 600 544 442 qasralwatan.ae
15. Enjoy iftar in a stunning tent
Elegantly designed with arabesque accents, Al Majlis at Madinat Jumeirah is one of the more luxurious venues to celebrate iftar or suhoor. Expect true Arabian hospitality and an impressive buffet selection. You can head here if you’re a party of two or even a large gathering of family and friends.
Al Majlis, Madinat Jumeirah, iftar from sunset, suhoor 9.30 to 3am the following day, Dhs220 per person. Tel: (04) 432 3232. jumeirah.com
Source: whatson
