
Team What's On choose their pick (and icks) of things in the UAE right now
If a venue is offering a redeemable package, the great. It's naturally a great way to make the most of your cash, offering a comfy sun lounger to laze day away on. However, the term is a little redundant when drinks are so expensive that you can barely squeeze a small appetiser and one drink in, if that. Come on, if it's going to be redeemable, we need prices to be reasonable enough that we can actually redeem. – David Rivers, Group Editor Pick: Seeing if the hospitality horse has bolted The Stables
A good PR friend of mine recently pointed out that there is a coverage bias at What's On . And she's right. A large part of our mandated journalistic duty is to show people the best of what's new, glossy, and glamorous in the region – but that doesn't mean we should let our love for the Old Skool lapse. It's at least partly because of this, I made a long overdue return to a Dubai haunt from (my at least) years of yore, The Stables. It's had some pretty heavy cosmetic surgery since my last visit, seven or so years ago, and it's the good kind. It looks younger, brighter – no laboured pouting or homogenised Dubai facia – but still retains its rootin' tootin' 'spit 'n' sawdust' charm. The menu has also been visited by the glow-up fairy – a strong burger, feisty calamari, and a margarita-mezcal blend that's Socratically deep. Full tables, sung fables, The Stables defies labels. – Miles Buckeridge, Deputy Editor Dubai Ick: Metretiquette
A few weeks ago, I did an article for whatson.ae highlighting the different types of (annoying) people you encounter on the Dubai Metro. And I've just discovered a few ones that I am just itching to add to the list. There's the one that rushes past you to get to the escalator/travelator only to perch themselves in the center of the pathway, forcing you to work your way around them (while fighting the urge to tackle them). Then there's the ones who push past you while you (as a decent human being) wait in a queue to nab a seat in an empty train (even though you've been waiting for a good 15 minutes for the train to arrive). The worst are the ones with headphones on inside the cabin. The one who doesn't hear someone's desperate 'excuse me' as they battle a storm of people to get off the metro. The cherry, though, is when said person is eventually forced to push past said music listener, who then ends up looking annoyed because he/she was pushed aside. Like really, bro? – Aarti Saundalkar, Arts & Culture Features Editor
I went to Salt Camp last year, and I just had to go back this year because of how great the food was. This time around, we ended up at the bar, where all the magic happens, and we sampled a secret menu created by the chef – not only was every course a banger, which is incredibly rare, the flavour pairings were super unique, combining ingredients from all over the world and using, salt, heat and fat to transform them into plate-cleaners and dish-sweepers. The whole concept of the menu is to utilise the powers of wood-fired cooking, with a massive, open grill at the heart of it all. So, not just meat, but cheese, vegetables and everything you can think of has been touched by smoke. 10/10, would recommend. – Manaal Fatimah, Online Reporter Ick: Compliments that age poorly
'You look good for your age.' Oh, wow – thank you so much for the backhanded compliment I never asked for. It's just a fancy way of saying, 'You look good… considering you're old.' And I'm supposed to take that as a compliment? How generous… Is it really that hard to just say, 'You look good' and skip the not-so-cute age reference? – Lana Du, Reporter Pick: Bleaching my hair, but healthily
Those who also identify as Barbies know the addiction but also the struggle with keeping your hair as healthy as possible. I've been dying my hair since age 16, so for a significant amount of time, (the exact amount I'm not willing to disclose) and before hair health was a trend, the top of my head resembled a texture close to straw. I've tried for a long time to get it back to being healthy, but also stay as blonde as possible and my incredible hairdresser has achieved that for me. If you're a blonde in Dubai, I'd recommend Meg (@thecursedblonde) to anyone, she's based in the Den Salon in Arjan if you're looking. – Madie Murphy, Senior Reporter
Media: Instagram, What's On Archive
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What's On
28-05-2025
- What's On
Here's how the first Abu Dhabi Lock In of 2025 went down
Our guests turned up in force… Over the weekend of May 24 and 25, What's On hosted Abu Dhabi's exciting, sold out most weekend summer celebration at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi Hotel, over a full 28 hours. 3 of 12 Our wonderful guests turned up in droves and experienced a fun-soaked weekend like none other, with a superstar staycation, bottomless brunch, wellness treatments and watersports with Laluna (@ as they created lifelong memories with friends and family right here in the UAE capital. Highlight reel In a sentence, this was a weekend party to remember at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. Our guests enjoyed a range of free activities and discounted access to an array of hotel and partner experiences, both thrilling and relaxing – including head and shoulder massages, blow-dries and manis for the ladies and beard trims for the gents from the master stylists at Cayenne Beauty Salon (@cayennebeautysalon), as well as other glow-up treatments that had them looking their best all weekend long. To ensure our guests also dressed in their stylish best, Serge de Nimes, also our esteemed event partners (@serge_de_nimes_dxb) were in attendance with a wide variety of fashionable outfits on display. After a morning of meeting our team and each other, our guests moved to Belgian Café for a full four hours of brunch madness, where hearty European delights, free-flowing drinks and great entertainment laid the table. Wondering what was on the menu? It really was the whole nine yards of some of the best Belgian food and drink in town, with leading favourites such as Belgian mussels, steak frites, cheese platters, oysters, and beef stew only a few of the taste-packed delicacies on offer. Coupled with free-flowing pints of Belgian goodness and electrifying live entertainment, brunch time at our Lock In kept the weekend vibe at optimum levels. When it was time for the afterparty, the party train moved to the InterContinental Abu Dhabi's epic Chamas Churrascaria & Bar, where guests shook a leg and enjoyed the beats from the deck of a skilled DJ, as samba dancers brought the carnival vibes to the party. It was a peerless afternoon of food, drink, socialising and merrymaking where the good times rolled on all day (and weekend) long. At the end of an exhilarating Day 1, guests finally retired to their luxurious King Classic Sea View rooms to grab a good night's rest, with the most gorgeous vistas of Abu Dhabi keeping them company right outside their windows. On Sunday, breakfast was served at Selections restaurant, with buffet-style eats and relaxed vibes. The extensive selection of breakfast options was just what the doctor ordered after a full day of fun and entertainment, and guests refuelled for a day of R&R that included several fun and relaxing sessions including a gentle yoga flow session at Bayshore Beach Club with YogaOne(@yogaone_uae), followed by free workouts and watersports with Laluna (@ with guests making a splash by the UAE capital's skyline. If you couldn't get your hands on a reservation this time… Don't worry, this peerless weekend party was only the first of several… and we might have another big one in the works, so make sure you register here to receive all the updates first. If you'd like to book your own stay at InterContinental Abu Dhabi, call (0)2 666 6888, book here, or email > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in


What's On
22-05-2025
- What's On
Comedian Jim Jefferies chats with What's On ahead of his show this Saturday
We caught up with the laughmaker, and here's all he had to say… The Aussie comedian, actor and writer, known for his bold sense of humour, will perform at Dubai's Coca Cola Arena on Saturday, May 24 as part of his Jim Jefferies: Son of a Carpenter tour. We caught up with him in the lead-up… What's On: How do you feel about performing in Dubai at a time when comedy shows are on such an uptick in the UAE? Jim Jefferies: I'm happy to go anywhere that people are happy to come and see me. One of the beautiful things about Dubai is that it's just such a big melting pot of people from everywhere. One of the big questions I always get asked is, 'What's the difference between performing in the UK, US, Australia, Asia or elsewhere?', and performing in Dubai is like performing in all of those places, at once. This Saturday's show is going to have a little bit of everything – there's even something for the older fans, and it's going to be punchy, punchy, punchy – an hour-and-a-half, maybe more, of jokes is what you're gonna get. Images: Getty, What's On archive WO: What's one factor, aside from the metrics, that determines a successful show for you? JJ: The amount of applause I receive when I walk off stage after a performance, has to be equal to, or greater than the applause I received when I walked on to perform. When you're a known entity in any business, you get a bit more leeway. Comedy is a wonderful art form that lets you know immediately if your performance was a success or a failure, unlike perhaps, doing a scene in a movie. WO: Some crowds are easier to entertain, some others are a bit more sensitive. But over the past decade, the world's come to accept, and even expect that you'd push the envelope as far as you can. Do you tend to go all in, or are you very strategic with your humour depending on where you're performing? JJ: I'll let you in on an industry secret: you can say the boldest things, and you'll be fine – as long as the laugh's big. The more outrageous the statement, the bigger the laugh has to be. Also sometimes, I want to say to the newer guys, the reason the audience didn't laugh is because you weren't charming enough. It's more about being charming, and then that gives you more leeway. WO: A lot of newer comedians credit YouTube and social media as game changers with virality and overnight success. How much has it helped you? JJ: While it's helped, I've never personally uploaded a clip on YouTube – I'm not the most digitally-savvy. These days, many comedians will post clips about, let's say, how they handled a heckler. But I personally don't want to see a recording of my performances online, because I don't want to be overexposed. WO: How do you advise keeping your name out there, if you're just getting your name in the game? JJ: I just believe you have to brand yourself in the sense that, people can instantly tell when it's you. When I first started out, people that didn't even know my name knew me as the guy that wore the same leather jacket at all of his shows. I'm no marketing genius – I just feel like I'm lucky to be where i am, I've worked hard, and I'm really happy to be where I've gotten to. WO: You've mentioned charm/charisma. How transferable are your people skills between performing on stage and let's say, doing a talk show? JJ: A lot of your success at a talk show has to do with the rapport you have with the talk show host themselves. Quintessentially, you're doing a routine that's not a routine. But if you have someone like let's say, Jimmy Fallon, he's going to laugh at pretty much everything you say, and help you get over the line. I've been on talk show episodes with personalities like Bill Clinton and Margot Robbie, and in such situations have thought, 'This audience isn't gonna want to hear from me!' WO: What are you looking forward to exploring during your time in Dubai? JJ: I'm really looking forward to discovering a few nice restaurants while I'm in town – I love the food scene here. Jim Jefferies: Son of a Carpenter, Coca Cola Arena, Dubai, Saturday May 24, 8pm, from Dhs395,


What's On
13-05-2025
- What's On
20 free ladies' nights in Dubai
Ahh, the good old Dubai ladies' night. We're not short of them here. Whilst there are so many amazing ladies' night deals to choose from, if you're nearing the end of the month and those purse strings are pulling tighter, it's always handy to know where in Dubai offers free drinks for their ladies' nights. Here are the ladies' nights in Dubai that offer free drinks… Monday The Stables Mingle Monday at Stables is a great excuse to head to the pub as ladies enjoy unlimited free drinks from 8pm until 2am. There's also live music and a DJ after too if you want a bit of a dance… The Stables, Sheikh Zayed Road, Mondays, 8pm to 2am, @thestablesdubai Studio Al Khaleej The deal: Every night is ladies' night (really!) at Studio Al Khaleej – an Arabic nightclub and lounge. Ladies can enjoy three complimentary drinks every night of the week from 8pm to 1am. Studio Al Khaleej, Capitol Hotel, Dubai, daily 8pm to 1am, Tel: (0)56 416 8977, @studioalkhaleejdubai Tuesday Bla Bla Dubai The deal: Step into The Tent, Bla Bla's vibrant nightclub, where the party never stops. On Tuesday, La Santa Latin Night means free entry and two free drinks for an hour from 11pm to 12am for ladies. Bla Bla, The Beach, JBR, Dubai, Tues, 11pm to 12am, Tel: (0)4 584 4111, @blabladubai Lock Stock & Barrel, Business Bay and JBR The deal: Thirsty Tuesdays at LSB is the place to be. This OG ladies' night in Business Bay offers ladies four hours of unlimited drinks for free, so the girls can drink to their heart's content from 8pm to 12am. Get your party vibes on and dance the night away. Lock Stock & Barrel, Grand Millenium Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, Tuesday, 8pm to 12am, Tel: (0)4 873 3399. UBK The fun little JLT hotspot has 2 complimentary house drinks for ladies on Tuesdays and 25 per cent off the menu. The deal is from 6pm to 12am and there's also live music too to keep you entertained. UBK, Cluster A, JLT, Tuesdays, 6pm to 12am, @ubkdubai Wednesday Long's Bar Gather the girls and head to Long's Bar for That Girl Wednesday, because you are 'that girl'. Just show up and ladies' drinks are on the house for two full hours so if you're looking for effortless fun, you've just found your vibe! No spend, no pressure, just pure girls' night magic from 8pm to 10pm, with a live duo band to keep the energy high… Long's Bar, Towers Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road, every Wednesday, ladies drink for free, 8pm to 10pm Tel: 04 31 222 31 @longsdubai Lucky Voice Head to the karaoke and cocktail bar for ladies night and get unlimited drinks for free from 8pm to 12am. This place is always a vibe, no matter what day of the week it is… Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights, Wednesdays, 8pm to 12am, @luckyvoicedubai The Huddle Head down to this sports bar and grill restaurant where on Mondays, you get three free drinks from a selected menu and 30 per cent off on food from 8pm to 12am. The Huddle, Citymax Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, Wednesday, 8pm to 12am, Tel:(0)50 100 7046, @thehuddleuae Loca Margaritas and Mexican food are our kinds of Wednesday combo. On the day, ladies get free margaritas and house wines from 6pm to 11pm at Loca. There's a choice of five flavours, all served either frozen or on ice. Loca, Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, Wed, 6pm to 11pm, Tel: (0)4 346 1111, Moe's on 5th Moe's offers ladies four free drinks every Wednesday from the ladies' night menu. Go for the free drinks… stay for the music and good vibes. Moe's on The 5th, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre, Dubai, Wed, from 6pm, Tel: (0) 4 333 3055, @moesonthe5th The Maine Oyster Bar and Grill JBR This popular oyster bar and grill hosts an aptly named 'Clam Jam' deal every Wednesday from 8pm to midnight. There's free-flowing wine from a choice of red, white and rosé for all the ladies seated (or standing) at the bar. DoubleTree by Hilton, JBR, Dubai Wed, 8pm to 12am, Tel: (0)4 457 6719, Thursday Canary Club Canary Club in JLT is a know spot for their ladies' nights, it's first come first served but ladies at the bar can get free flowing wine and signature cocktail Frederica from 7pm to 1am, that's such an amazing deal… Canary Club, JLT, Thurdays, 7pm to 1am, @canaryclubdxb High So Let's misbehave. Thursdays are made for ladies' nights at High So and you'll enjoy 3 free drinks and 30 per cent off food from 7pm to midnight. There's live music by Brio and a resident DJ Marz spinning all night, you already know it's going to be iconic… High So, Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at The Mall, Al Barsha, Thursdays, 7pm to 12am. Tel:+971 50 100 7046 @highsoalbarsha Lock, Stock and Barrel LSB Business Bay also celebrate the gals on Thursdays too so prepare for girls, giggles and good vibes. Round up your crew and hit up LSB Business Bay for unlimited free-flowing drinks from 8pm to 11pm Lock Stock & Barrel, Grand Millenium Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, Thursday, 8pm to 11pm, Tel: (0)4 873 3399. Rare The deal: This cool steakhouse in City Walk's new licensed district, C2, offers free-flowing house wine at the bar for ladies every Thursday from 8pm until midnight. Rare, C2, City Walk, Dubai, Thursday, 8pm to 12am, Tel:(0) 4 287 4604. @theraredxb Soirée – The Opus by Omniya This beautiful Manhattan-style parlour is the place to be on a Thursday night. Gals get 3 free drinks and 50 per cent off the menu. Don't be shy and ask the sommeliers for advice on the best flavour combinations. Soirée Wine Bar, Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay, Dubai, Wed, 7pm, Tel: (0)55 413 6648, @ The Maine Studio City and Business Bay The Maine Land Brasserie and The Maine Street Eatery both are celebrating the ladies on Thursdays from 8pm to 12am. Head to either branch in Studio City or Business Bay and enjoy free flowing wine at the bar… yum. The Maine Land Brasserie, Business Bay and The Maine Street Eatery, Studio City, Dubai Wed, 8pm to 12am, Tel: (0)4 457 6719, Friday The Stables Along with their deal on Monday, The Stables are coming through for the girls on Fridays too with three free cocktails from 8pm to 2am. The Stables, Sheikh Zayed Road, Mondays, 8pm to 2am, @thestablesdubai Saturday Crown and Lion The Crown and Lion English bar are giving unlimited drinks to ladies for both Saturday and Sunday, all day, as long as you tag them on Instagram. Sounds like a deal to us… Crown and Lion, Ibis Hotel One Central, Sat and Sun all day Tel: 04 370 6598 or 050 900 5215 @crownandliondubai