From speakeasys in five-star hotels to beach bars and revolving restaurants
Isabella Craddock
The UAE capital is home to plenty of places to grab a great drink, from all-day beachside beverages to sundowners and sultry nightcaps. Housed in its five-star hotels, malls, beach clubs, desert resorts and more, here are best bars in Abu Dhabi for a great drinks and vibes in 2024.
The 14 best bars in Abu Dhabi
The Library Bar
Location: Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen Marina
Open from ⋅ 5 pm to 1 am (until 2 am Fridays and Saturdays)
Ian Schrager’s EDITION brand is known across the world for having some of the best bars and restaurants, and Abu Dhabi EDITION is no different. Its sultry Library Bar is one of the best bars in Abu Dhabi, taking design cues from the literary world with artwork inspired by language and the written word. The vibe is intimate, exclusive, and sophisticated, the lighting dim and atmospheric, and the cocktails – well, of course – are typically EDITION (a mix of creative and classic). Guests can sink into sumptuous velvet seating and enjoy activations like the Negroni Sessions (Mondays to Thursdays from 5pm to 1am – AED135 for two negronis). Writers Block is an elevated take on evening brunch, running every Friday from 7pm to 11pm and offering bar bites and beverages from AED195.
Penelope’s Brasserie
Location: Yas Island
Open from ⋅ 5 pm to 1 am (2 AM Fridays and Saturdays)
Penelope’s is one of the coolest, most exciting bars in Abu Dhabi, located at the vibrant Yas Marina and offering French cuisine and jazz music. The jazz bar is spread across a waterfront terrace and cosy, cavernous inside space (just as a jazz bar should be). Live jazz is the modus operandi here, along with great cocktails and a Riviera-inspired menu. Enjoy its unique design – think marble bars, leopard-print stool, and views of Yas Marina – which is particularly vibey during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The St Regis Bar
Location: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche
Open from ⋅ 5 pm to 12 am
Bringing the glamour of the Gilded Age New York City to Abu Dhabi is The St. Regis Bar – a concept found in most (if not all) St Regis hotels worldwide. No matter the destination, they all echo the original Fifth Avenue address – and The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche – is no different. Expect a seductive atmosphere with local touches like paintings of camel racing and heritage tiles, plus a great cocktail list of all the classics, alongside some special serves. Come at sunset for the famous St Regis Sabrage – a St. Regis ritual and nod to tradition. There’s a grown-up, cosmopolitan feel – ideally suited for date nights, nightcaps and occasions.
LPM Restaurant and Bar
Location: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
Open from ⋅ 6 pm to 1 am
In Abu Dhabi, the iconic LPM Restaurant & Bar sits on the elegant Al Maryah island – a bustling new international financial centre home to luxury residences, retail and dining. Here, the world-famous restaurant group (born in London without spots in Dubai, Miami, Hong Kong and Riyadh, to name a few) channels the effortless elegance of the French Riviera. Alongside Mediterranean dining, LPM Abu Dhabi also offers a country-leading cocktail and beverage programme. There’s a casual, classically French vibe, simply grab a chair or stand at teh bar and order cocktails from its famous cocktail menu- the Tomatini is a hit across the world.
Broadway
Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche road
Open from: 3 pm to 1am, Monday to Friday; 12:30 pm to 1 am, Saturday to Sunday
Broadway – a modern American brasserie and bar – is the latest drinking and dining addition to arguably the city’s most lavish and luxurious hotel – Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace. The bar embodies the hedonism of Twenties America, with an art-nouveau design theme and an indulgent menu that includes Escargots, Lobster Thermidor and Beef Wellington through to playful dishes like peanut butter and jelly ice cream. The bar features an extensive menu of cocktails, craft beers and eclectic wines by the glass, with a spotlight on regional microbreweries. It accommodates up to 270 people, so expect a rip-roaring time into the small hours.
Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi
Location: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Open from ⋅ 4 pm to 12 am
From the famed Buddha Bar (or Monte Carlo, Paris, Mykonos and Doha fame) comes Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi – a pan-Asian-style oceanfront hangout at one of the city’s most luxe beach resorts. The bar offers two distinct areas – a laid-back terrace with beautiful views over Saadiyat Island, the resort’s gardens and the Arabian Gulf, and a glitzy interior: all black, gold and Neo-Asian. Expect Buddha Bar’s famed quality of cocktails plus Asian bar bites. There’s also a roster of DJs and live music, embodying Buddha Bar’s famed musical identity and creating a microcosm of the world’s party cities on the beach.
Al Mesayan Rooftop Bar
Location: Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort
Open from ⋅ 5 pm to 12 am, Thursday to Saturday
A 40-minute or so drive into the desert takes you to one of the most beautiful, best bars in Abu Dhabi – an intimate rooftop bar overlooking the Arabian sands at Al Wathba Desert Resort. It’s a stunning place to take in the majesty of the Al Wathba desert – its golden undulating dunes and orange sunsets, and to embrace the heritage of the UAE. The menu is a mix of international bites and dishes, with a nod to local cuisine, and the drinks are delicious and refreshing. There are few romantic spots like it in the city.
Hidden Bar
Location: Rosewood Al Maryah Island
Open from ⋅ 5 pm to 3am, Monday to Friday; 5 pm to 4 am, Saturday to Sunday
One of the best bars in Abu Dhabi lies at the Rosewood Al Maryah Island – and is the spot in the capital for juniper lovers. The elegant cocktail bar plays host to the capital’s largest collection of gin, with over 300 from around the world – from coriander and rhubarb to ones infused in-house. The bar’s playful name is a nod to its loose Prohibition theme, making it feel like an American speakeasy bar. For those who’d rather enjoy the waterfront setting, there’s a beautiful outdoor terrace with views of Al Maryah Island. – perfect for sundowners. It’s also one of the best bars in Abu Dhabi for late nights – open until 3 am on weekdays and an impressive 4 am on weekends.
Dragon’s Tooth
Location: The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Open from ⋅ 6 pm to 1 am, Sunday to Thursday; 6 pm to 2 am, Friday to Saturday
Another throwback to the 1920s is Dragon’s Tooth, this time taking its inspiration from Shanghai’s swinging Twenties jazz scene. Adding a mischievous, speakeasy-type element, the tiny bar is hidden at the back of the Chinese restaurant Dai Pai Dong and is a hangout for those in the know. There’s a real air of intrigue in the decor – dark and moody with low lighting and booth searing – and there are expert bartenders, plus a menu of dim sum and pan-Asian bites. What’s more, it’s smoke-free, so you won’t leave smelling like a bonfire.
Stratos Revolving Lounge & Bar
Location: Le Royal Meridien Hotel
Open from: 5 pm to 1am
For a real drink to remember, head to the bar at Stratos Revolving Lounge & Bar – Abu Dhabi’s famous revolving restaurant. It’s a long-time favourite spot for elegant catch-ups with cocktails and a glass of wine, or two, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the UAE capital. The high-backed leather chairs and large oval bar are reminiscent of hangouts in London, Hong Kong and New York City, while the window-side couches move with the restaurant – offering every-changing twinkling views. The cocktail menu plays with tea, so expect refreshing cocktails and mocktails with fresh ingredients like tamarind, muddled blackberries and thyme.
Loca Restaurant & Bar
Location: The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Open from: 12 pm to 2 am
Loca promises to deliver the experience of a ‘vintage pub without the grime’ – giving a dose of nostalgia with wood panelling, industrial pipes, neon lighting and charcoal pillars. High tables are typical of a British pub or American sports bar and offer a relaxed, fuss-free place to enjoy a drink or catch up with friends in Abu Dhabi. At the tip of The Galleria Mall, there are also views over the water and downtown Abu Dhabi from a large patio. Expect a perennially busy vibe, one of the capital’s busiest ladies’ nights, a pub quiz, Mexican-inspired cocktails, and live music.
Bentley Kitchen
Location: The Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island
Open from: 12 pm to 12 am
Relaxed yet sophisticated, Bentley Kitchen is popular with the after-work crowd of the city’s financial centre, thanks to its location at Galleria Mall. There’s an elevated atmosphere, with a live DJ and cocktail menu to match, and well-heeled customers gather around a round wooden bar to enjoy a daily happy hour (the pitchers of sangria are known across the city) and bites like soft-shell crab bao buns. There’s a fun and lively atmosphere, and it’s great for a pre-dinner drink or to while away an afternoon with friends – plus, there’s an outdoor terrace.
Glo
Location: Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island
Open from: 12 pm to 1am, Sunday to Thursday; 12 pm to 2am, Friday to Saturday
Rosewood is home to another of the best bars in Abu Dhabi: Glo – a day-to-night poolside lounge and social space occupying a third-floor terrace. There’s an elevated feel, typical of Rosewood, plus great views of the city – either dappled in the sun or twinkling under the stars. It’s one of the best rooftop offerings in the capital, recognisable by its huge metal sculptures, which mimic the natural shape of palm trees that line the pool. There’s a Euro-cool feel to the space at night when a buzz descends on the space – as bartenders mix cocktails for a well-to-do crowd.
rosewoodhotels.com
Shala Lounge
Location: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas, Saadiyat Island
Open from: 5 pm to 1am, Sunday to Thursday; 5 pm to 1am, Friday to Saturday
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is one of the most serene spots in the capital, located on the shores of Saadiyat Island with beautiful grounds and Arabian gulf views, and Shala embodies this spirit. Derived from the Sanskrit meaning ‘home,’ it’s a friendly and welcoming spot for beach views and good times. turquoise Arabian Gulf views complete the plush cusions and bohemian vibe from ornamental feathers, tassels, linen and natural wood, while a fire pit adds a sophisticated feeling. Thymic beats transport you to the likes of Ibiza or Tulum – even more so with a sundowner in hand and a side of surf views.
