The Best Bars in Abu Dhabi

For a nightcap, head to the enchanting Pool Bar, and as you sip your concoction, enjoy the cityscape all lit up. From here you can take in a view of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Al Maqta Bridge. The bar is open from 9am to 11:30pm, and the dress code is casual.

Overlooking the Yas Marina, this upscale take on an American sports bar is a perfect place to unwind. This bar is very popular with sports enthusiasts of all countries due to the number of televisions and breadth of broadcasts. The establishment serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, in addition to a large menu dominated by delicious American fare.

Stylishly lavish interiors are mere footnotes at Cipriani Yas Marina. Featuring classic Italian fare, the restaurant’s dishes are surprisingly authentic and the atmosphere is perfect for a romantic night out. To make things even more memorable, after dinner take a walk around the marina which is spectacularly illuminated in the evening.

The St. Regis Hotel has several lovely restaurants along the waterfront at its Corniche location in Nation Towers. Asia de Cuba dances to its own beat with refined elegance coupled with a lively beach beat that invites anyone in off the street to enjoy award-winning food. For a beautifully appointed, classy indoor experience, or a airy veranda opened during winter on the beach, Asia de Cuba is a bar of choice for expats and tourists. For me, it’s the perfect place to meet people and unwind after a long work week. Packed on winter weekends for signature cocktails the bar also appropriately serves the Cuba Libre. Asia de Cuba also delivers a brilliant Friday Brunch. The bright atmosphere encourages guests to enjoy the start of the weekend in the UAE with a fusion of Asian and Cuban flavors that will do the tango across your tongue.

Abu Dhabi did not miss out on the speakeasy trend, and while the name of the Hidden Bar is a bit on the nose, it’s a perfect cocktail destination before dinner on Al-Maryah Island—as well as a great dim-sum spot in its own right. Tucked away behind a large wooden door at the end of a dark corridor in the Rosewood Hotel, Hidden Bar’s warm, mod decor and quiet ambience will inspire you to talk in hushed tones over a classic old-fashioned or martini. In cooler months, it offers what most speakeasies do not—a cozy outdoor terrace where you can sip a drink while taking in the Abu Dhabi cityscape from across the water.