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Time Out Dubai
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Things to do in Dubai to feel like a big kid
Being an adult can be fun, sure. But… Do you ever just get the urge to be a big kid again? Wouldn't it be nice to go back to those days when everything was that little bit more fun and care-free? Back to the times of jumping into ball pits, racing down slides or heading to your best mate's house to play video games. If you like reading this: 31 fully redeemable pool days in Dubai for the ultimate day in the sun Well, luckily you can have that slice of childhood whenever you like in Dubai. There are some incredible activities on offer for grown-ups that are made specifically to make you feel like a (big) kid again. Even better, you're an adult now, no need to ask your parents' permission! Ready to embrace your inner kid? Let's go… Activate Canadian active gaming experience Activate is now open at City Centre Mirdif with plenty of ways to get one over your pals. The space features nine dynamic game rooms which fuse gaming, entertainment and physical activity in a state-of-the-art facility. With bright neon lights and easy-to-follow games, it's like being thrust into a retro games console (but irl). From Dhs95. Open Mon-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-midnight. City Centre Mirdif Mall. (600 599905). Active Games UAE If this was one of your favourites as a kid, then you need to step inside the game and experience real-life Pac-Man. Now at Active Games, the 45-minute maze will even get your heart rate up as you dodge hungry ghosts, collect power pellets and chase a high score. Opening Wed May 7. From Dhs160. Mon-Wed 1pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-midnight. Al Quoz, Adventure Island (Credit: Supplied) This is guaranteed to give you a throwback to your mates' birthday party 20 years ago. The attraction now has branches in JBR and Deira, offering you and the little ones hours of fun. Start off by getting into one of the Pixel rooms that are covered with sensors, and get your steps in jumping around. If you're still not tired out, try a game or two of laser tag. Chase each other around the course as you duck and dive to avoid being hit by your opponents. Prices vary. Jumeirah Beach Residence and City Centre Deira, (058 833 9204). AYA Universe Wanna jump in a giant ball pit and stare up at the stars? The interactive experiences at the Wafi City attraction are all about getting involved with galaxies far, far away, and immersing yourself in the art. There are 12 rooms to see – after the ball pit be sure to check out the water feature and go dancing in the rain. From Dhs135. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Wafi City, Oud Metha. (04 542 0300). Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark (Credit: Supplied) Who doesn't love a water slide? There is no place better to be a big kid than Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm, where you can spend the entire day whizzing through tunnels and splashing around on the lazy river. The park has 28 record-breaking waterslides, and we give you full permission to try them all. From Dhs310 (adult), Dhs270 (child). Open daily 10am-6.30pm. Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, (04 426 2000). Boom Battle Bar (Credit: Boom Battle Bar) There's plenty of games to choose from here, but we recommend you start with a round of crazy golf. If you're still feeling competitive, try your hand at shuffleboard, and why not make the loser give everyone a quick rendition of something in one of the karaoke booths. An all-rounder when it comes to having fun like a kid. Over 21s only. Open Sun-Thu 4pm-1am; Fri-Sat 4pm-2am. DoubleTree by Hilton, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina, (04 585 7357). BOUNCE Reach some new heights and bounce as high as you can go at one of Dubai's Bounce parks. Visit the original venue in Al Quoz, or if you fancy trying out a bit of parkour, book a session at the Dubai Festival City branch instead, where you'll spot the free terrain park and infinity wall. Grown-ups are more than welcome, and maybe it's about time you tried practicing that front flip again. From Dhs90 (locations vary), (04 304 9333). Bullzeye This attraction is new on the scene, and you're definitely going to want to try it out. At Dubai's first foam dart arena, get a few friends together and spend a couple of hours firing your nerf guns as you run around dodging the darts. You can even try a bit of combat archery too, which will probably remind you of school dodgeball. From Dhs75 (30 mins). Open Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sun 10am-9pm. Al Barsha Shopping Complex, Al Quoz, (04 288 1644). Chaos Karts (Credit: Supplied) This will take you right back to the days of gripping your controller as you whizzed around Rainbow Road on Mario Kart. The go-karting experience makes you feel as if you've stepped into the game itself as you try and take out your opponents. Think you've got it in you to bag first place? Let's see. From Dhs112. Open Mon-Thu 1pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-11pm. 6A St – Al Quoz, (04 324 2344). Loco Bear When it comes to indoor entertainment, pretty much everything you can think of is under this roof. Climbing walls? Yup. Trampolining? Of course. Roll glider? You know it. VR headsets? What do you think. Taking you back to the days where running around and gaming were the only things on the to-do list, you're guaranteed hours of fun in here. Free entry (game prices vary). Open Mon-Fri 11am-11pm; Sat-Sun 10am-11pm. Al Quoz 2. (800 56262). Roll DXB The 50 best indoor activities to try in Dubai (Credit: RollDXB) Remember the day your parents first strapped on some knee and elbow pads and wheeled you off on your roller-skates? If you think you've got the balance for it, throw on a pair of light-up skates at RollDXB and take a whizz around the rink before snapping a cool Instagram next to the neon signs. If you're really a beginner, there are newbie classes every Saturday morning, so you can practice before showing off to your friends. From Dhs65. Open Mon-Wed 11am-11pm; Fri 11am-midnight; Sat-Sun 10am-11pm. Marina Cubes St, Dubai Maritime City, Port Rashid, (04 238 6206). Looking for things to do in Dubai? 10 creative ways to enjoy Dubai summer indoors (yes, including yoga under the sea) Our AC-approved places to play 50 cool things to do in Dubai for less than Dhs50 Record-breaking attractions, cheap drinks and bargain days out 8 blingy things to do in Dubai if you want to show off We get it, you've got some showing off to do
What's On
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
10 amazing new things to do for your UAE summer wishlist 2025
'Twas the UAE summer of 2025… And we had the most fun we've ever had …is what we're trying to say when we look back on this time come October/November/December/a combination of any of those months. This is the only wishlist you need for summer – all of the new, mad fun things you can do during the warmer months. See you when the sun's out. PAC-MAN Live Studio PAC-MAN Live Studio invites thrill-seekers, gamers, and families alike to step inside the legendary PAC-MAN universe, powered by augmented reality and state-of-the-art digital projections. In PAC-MAN Dubai, players will dash through a full-scale PAC-MAN style maze, collecting Power Pellets and dodging digital ghosts in an immersive environment of vibrant visuals, neon lights, and sound effects. PAC-MAN Live Studio, Active Games, Al Quoz, Mon to Wed, 12pm to 10pm, Thurs to Fri, 10am to 11pm, Sat and Sun, 9am to 11pm, @pacmanuae teamLab Phenomena The wait is finally over. Set within the booming Saadiyat Cultural District, the unprecedented art megaproject will span 17,000 sq. metres and will house exhibits like nothing you've ever seen before. Here, you'll be able to experience a truly unique, one-of-a-kind experience – because admittedly, no two experiences shall be the same. With stunning visuals, light displays and music that puts you in a trance, this is an experience of a lifetime. Read more here. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, opens Friday, April 18, from Dhs150, Yas Waterworld (the expansion) Abu Dhabi aqua lovers, we hear your favourite water wonderland in the capital is about to get grander than ever. With an astounding 16,900 square-metre expansion about to bring you 18 new rides and experiences in addition to the current 45, your plans for warmer days are sorted and how. Notable additions will include a swim up bar, a high-thrill boat ride, racing and tube slides, family raft rides, and a duelling master blaster. Read more here. Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 9am to 2pm. Tel: (0)2 414 2000, @yaswaterworldyasisland Replay Replay is the first and only karaoke lounge to offer the highest collection of songs in over 20 languages with state-of-the-art karaoke systems. Replay will be landing in JBR soon, and there will be up to 80,000 songs in over 20 languages, each seamlessly programmed into ultramodern karaoke systems. Aspiring singers visiting this exciting new indoor karaoke bar in Dubai are promised hours of unlimited fun – the perfect spot to keep the party going post-brunch or to just enjoy quality time with the crew. SENSAS SENSAS invites guests to disconnect from the ordinary and dive into a thrilling, 2-hour journey that puts all five senses to the test. It is designed as a group experience where participants explore a series of immersive workshops, often in complete darkness. Teams can be from 4 to 15 people. Each challenge focuses on a single sense and pushes participants to rely on intuition, teamwork, and trust to complete tasks that are equal parts fun and unexpected. SENSAS Dubai, 24 19D Street Goshi City Warehouse 4, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, open daily, 2-hour experience, age 7+, from Dhs130, @sensas_uae Floating wellness This is the newest UAE summer trend, and will be a prime activity this summer. Floating yoga, floating breathwork and floating Pilates classes are all the rage right now, and if you're looking to try one. Floating Yoga and Pilates is back at ZETA Seventy Seven. Each class blends 40 – 50 minutes of yoga and Pilates led by expert instructors, followed by time to unwind in the rooftop pool. Find our full list here. Night swims Made for UAE summer – if you love swimming but aren't too keen on braving the heat, a night swim is your best bet. Post sundown, Cloud 22 at Atlantis the Royal is inviting guests for a dip in its iconic sky pool. The Moonlight Sessions, as it is aptly named, returns Thursday, May 1, 2025. The deal takes place from Thursday to Saturday, from 7pm to 11pm. Get all the details here. Cloud 22, Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, 7pm to 11pm, Thurs to Sat, prices from Dhs300. Tel: (0)4 426 2700. @cloud22dubai Spot the Milky Way UAE residents are in for a treat this summer, as for the next five months, the Milky Way galaxy will be visible in the night sky. Also known as the Galactic River, the galaxy's main arm and core will be visible late at night, with the clearest and highest period for viewing being the months of July and August. As such, the galaxy is visible from May through October, and offers a stunning celestial sight which is as beautiful as it is rare. Find out more here. Adventure travel, made better UAE summer is for travelling – this summer, travel a little differently. Say hello to Raw Earth, a newly-launched, boutique travel company in Dubai that offers guided self-drive 4×4 expeditions through some of the most rugged and remote landscapes around the world. Essentially, Raw Earth will plan your entire trip for you, from the vehicle you drive to the local food you eat and the route, boutique stays, full immersion in the culture of the destination, local collaborations, and a built-in content creation experience – the whole itinerary. Discover more here. Catch a comedian Some incredible funnymen are making their way to the country this summer, and you should start blocking your calendars now, for it's all summer long. American comedian and actor Pete Davidson will be performing for the very first time in the region at Etihad Arena on June 25. Making his Dubai Comedy Festival debut, LA-based comedian and musician Morgan Jay is ready to light up the Dubai Opera stage on October 6 with his uniquely hilarious, genre-bending performance. For more like this, find our full list here. Images: Socials/Supplied
The National
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Playing Pac-Man Live in Dubai: Chasing pellets and dodging ghosts in a fun, surprisingly physical game
It's not every day I get to run around with my friends, trying not to be eaten by ghosts. At least, not at this age. But here I am at Active Games UAE (also home to Chaos Karts) in Al Quoz, Dubai, trying out their newest attraction, Pac-Man Live Experience. As the name suggests, it's an immersive, real-life version of the classic arcade game where my friends and I step into a glowing maze and become Pac-Man. Before we enter the arena, we register by inputting our names (feeling clever, I go by Eve-Man) and get suited up in a 'Pac vest' that will track our every move. The Pac-Man game master – dressed in a yellow suit, of course – gives us a colourful rundown of the rules. The format follows the original video game: we score points by 'eating' pellets and collecting as much fruit as possible, all while avoiding ghosts (unless they're blue) and steering clear of other players (for our safety) as well as the projected walls because we lose points if we touch them. There are also symbols worth more points that we need to grab before another player does. While the explanation is helpful, it's still not immediately clear how the game plays out. Other people are joining our session, so we have some lingering questions. Are we on teams? Are we competing against each other? The instructions don't spell that out clearly, so my friends and I spend the first round figuring it out as we go. We step into the arena, where a Pac-Man maze is projected on to the floor. Each of us is assigned a starting point. The walls around us display an animated audience of tiny Pac-Men (and women), and a giant leader board shows our points after each round, revealing that we are playing as individuals. Taking the game off-console means moves are not restricted to the original Pac-Man's strict four directions and we are able to dart around. A session runs for about 30 to 40 minutes, broken into roughly two-minute games. After the first game, I realise this will take more physical effort than I expected. While we're not exactly sprinting, there's a fair bit of movement involved in chasing down pellets and fruit before anyone else does. For fitness tracker fans, my Whoop Strain was 9.3, registered as 45 minutes of physical activity with five minutes of Zone 3 heart rate. Luckily, there are short breaks built in. During the session, players are randomly selected to become ghosts – so they sit out that game – while the rest continue racking up points. The idea is that this rotates, and everyone gets the same amount of rest time so it's fair. We also play mini-games for a chance to boost our scores. After a few rounds, I come up with a strategy to maximise points but apparently, so does my friend, as we nearly crash into each other more than once. In the end, I beat him (barely) and joyously come out on top as the overall winner. However, I won't reveal my winning tactic. I'll leave that for future players to figure out. Pac-Man Live brings out everyone's competitive side, but in a good way. Whether with friends, family or even co-workers, it taps into a playful energy that's hard to resist. There's something genuinely fun about chasing dots, dodging ghosts and trying to climb that leader board – especially when trying to beat people you know. For those who want to give it a go, I'd recommend wearing trainers and perhaps packing a change of clothes in preparation for working up a sweat. This game works just as well for adults reliving childhood arcade memories as it does for children seeing Pac-Man come to life for the first time. Pac-Man Live Experience opens Wednesday; tickets start at Dh160
What's On
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
24 of the best new adult indoor fun activities in Dubai
With outdoor temperatures rattling the spicy end of the thermometer, those remaining in Dubai for the summer have to get tactical about where to have their fun. It's an 'inside job'. Kids have long been cashing in on their playtime privilege – with access to a seemingly unending list of soft play adventures and air-conditioned clambering, whereas the traditional provisions for adults have centred around 'I dunno' *shrugs* 'could do the mall?' It's a discrepancy that 2024 has been working hard to dismantle – we've seen a climate-controlled cavalcade of new and genuinely exciting ventures opening up that cater specifically for grown-ups. These are just some of the best ways to have street-legal, adult indoor fun in Dubai. New and coming soon New: Pac-Man Live From the creators of Chaos Karts Dubai, Fever and Active Games are bringing their newest concept to Dubai. This May, PAC-MAN Live Studio is coming to Dubai's gaming scene, and you can experience a real-world maze that turns the iconic arcade game into a larger-than-life adventure. This new indoor attraction fuses retro nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. Pac-Man Live Studio, Al Quoz, opening in May, Monday to Wednesday: 1pm to 11.15pm, Friday to Saturday 11am to 12am, @pacmanuae New: Sensas SENSAS, the fully immersive, multi-sensory adventure has opened in Dubai. An indoor activity that challenges the way you experience the world. SENSAS was originally launched in France and is now captivating audiences across the globe, with it's newest location opened in Dubai. SENSAS invites guests to disconnect from the ordinary and dive into a thrilling, 2-hour journey that puts all five senses to the test. If you're looking for activities in Dubai, this will be a great one to pass the tickets here. SENSAS Dubai , 24 19D Street Goshi City Warehouse 4, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, open daily, 2-hour experience, age 7+, from Dhs130, @sensas_uae Tiger Strikes Located within Megaplex Dubai, adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Dubai, Tiger Strikes is a brand new, adults-only, pay-per-play entertainment destination from Dubai Golf. Inside, a rich tapestry of competitive challenges and twinkling LEDs call for your attention. Earn your stripes and rack up strikes across six lanes of neon-lit bowling; or swing for slips-hit sixes with WIKIT, an impressive augmented reality cricket simulator featuring real-time immersive graphics feedback. The pub sports portfolio doesn't end there. Darts has been given a futuristic retrofit with multiple, incredibly addictive digital game types for friends to try and hit the bullseye on; and for a little analogue palate cleanse – cue up some big break action on the pool tables. Dubai Healthcare City, activities priced separately from Dhs30. @ Chaos Karts Another experiment from the Al Quoz adventuretainment laboratory, Chaos Karts is – as close as makes no difference – Mario Kart in real life. Just with none of the messy IP battles. Chaos Karts allows you to race across virtual-themed trackscapes, collecting gems and hilariously inconveniencing your friends with precision-timed virtual power-up projectiles – then driving past them to secure victory and a temporarily ruined friendship. All the best parts of Mario Kart. And with no physical obstacles on the track and anti-collision technology, drivers won't need to wear helmets or driving suits. Ticket prices start at around Dhs179 for a 20-minute session. Al Quoz, from Dhs179. @chaoskartsuae Illusion City This Bluewaters attraction plays host to a series of exhibits and themed rooms specifically designed to mess with your mind. The rule of thumb is that not everything you see is exactly as it seems, and that results in some truly magnetic Gram content. Take a trip to the upside-down, play with perspective and chortle at portals through multi-dimensional space. Bluewaters, Mon to Thu 10am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am to 11pm, ages 18+ Dhs75, seven to 18 Dhs60, under sevens free. @illusioncity_dubai Quiz Room Q: Which member of the What's On editorial team has won an episode of The Weakest Link ? A: Yep, it was me. Modesty is a precious virtue. And if, like me, you're a fan of the TV quiz show format, The Quiz Room located (almost too perfectly) in Al Quoz (Al Quiz?), might be the answer you've been looking for. Set to open at the end of August, teams of one-to-18 players (aged eight and up) will be able go head-to-head, and buzzer-to-buzzer in tests of trivia and musical knowledge. It's been set up to simulate the quiz show experience, emphasising fun and the spirit of friendly competition. Not the spirit of flipping over the Trivial Pursuit board because 'your questions were easier'. You know who you are. Al Quoz, pricing TBC. @quiz_room_ae Swingers This crazy golf-fuelled, above-par, exclusively adult leisure attraction will be opening on Bluewaters imminently. Originally from London – it's golf for people aiming at the 19th hole and 'clubbing' for people who want to be in bed by 10. The Dubai version drops in with three bars, three nine-hole courses and like its British counterpart, will feature street food, cocktails, live DJs and almost certainly – some dubious score recording. Bluewaters, pricing TBC. @swingers_uae Adventure Island Adventure has a new name in the UAE, or a new surname at least… Adventure Island at Bahar Plaza on the JBR has its phasers set to stun, offering a pair of attractions – Laser Island and Pixel. The former is a rootin', tootin', pew pew-shootin' version of laser tag, set between neon paint and black light – and cast across an intersecting network of nooks and camping-friendly crannies. Inside groups of up to 24 can lock and load for a battle royale – running and gunning in just-for-fun free-for-alls or team-based firefights. Pixel plays out on a series of touch-sensitive LED-lit-blocks on the floor of an enclosed room, players must leap around in co-op and versus challenges, collecting points and avoiding the dreaded 'floor is lava' red blocks. JBR, Priced from Dhs59. @ Real Madrid World On the surface, a football team might not seem like the best study for a theme park. But ask any fan – and they'll tell you that the ups and downs, the heroes and villains, the ceremony, the drama and adrenalin – all make for fever pitch thrill rides. Maybe less so if it were Nottingham Forest, but fortunately for Dubai Parks and Resorts they chose Real Madrid, home of the Galácticos , as the first name on their squad list. Real Madrid World comprises three zones (Champions Avenue, Celebration Plaza, Stars Universe) and a licensed store. It's packed with rides that promise to bend you like Beckham, a museum, skill tests, roller coasters, restaurants and big-match Bernabeu experiences. Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dhs295. @realmadridworlddubai Arte Museum For a more cultural outing this summer – Arte Museum comes from the world-renowned digital media design company d'strict. It's perfect for the set that have had their attention span so ravaged by social media that they can now only enjoy art in perpetually evolving panoramic 4D. Their projected performances cover 13 immersive spaces allowing you to get up close and personal with moving images. In both senses of the word. Even the on-site tea house has its own blizzard of digital flora to pair with your cuppa. Dubai Mall, Level 2, from Dhs129 per person, @artemuseum_dubai Brass Monkey The Brass Monkey brand is now two caverns of visceral entertainment strong with a second location in City Walk's C2 district, joining the Bluewaters original. The new C2 version brings the same chic bar-meets-amusement-arcade energy with a 12-lane bowling alley; billiards; epic sharing snack platters; craft mixology; axe throwing; frantic button smashing fun via a connoisseur's collection of retro arcade games (anyone for Street Fighter II fisticuffs? No Honda, no Blanka); there are VR attractions; and foosball tables. Promos include a brunch, taco Tuesday, ladies' night and a happy hour. The perfect squad night rumble in an electric urban jungle. C2, City Walk. @brassmonkeysocial Vertical Design Combining the arcane arts of glass-blowing and neon lighting, Vertical Design's Neon Discovery workshop is an illuminating voyage into new skills and take-away wall art. The 90-minute course takes you through the fundamentals of how neon works, the essentials for neon sign making, and a hands-on practical of creative glass blowing. Once you've finished crafting your lit masterpiece you have the option of purchasing it. Is the class worth the Dhs950 price tag though? All signs point to yes. Urban Nest, Al Quoz, Dhs950 per person. Five Iron There's more indoor golfing action on the way, this time making a dogleg up the JBR and sailing towards the lush virtual fairways of The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Five Iron is an American indoor country club set to open in August. The more than 32,000 sq ft space will feature 17 future tech simulators, each fitted with a multi-angle camera system to make side-eyes at your swing. Six bays will be equipped with TruGolf Multisport technology capable of creating dynamic sporting scenarios. F&B highlights include four bars, an outdoor bunker-themed bar, and a VIP lounge. There's more leisure pleasure from the nine-hole mini golf course, indoor putting green, work pods, table games, gym, and sauna. Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, pricing TBC. @ Boom Battle Bar Technically not a new space, but this ode to bar-based gaming has just undergone a comprehensive makeover. Adding to the existing augmented axe throwing; nine-hole crazy golf course; shuffleboard; interactive, projection-enhanced darts; and beer (/prosecco) pong – there's now a DJ booth and a private Boom Box karaoke. There's a thick menu of pub grub tapas, and promotions throughout the week that help keep prices low and vibes high. DoubleTree by Hilton JBR, The Walk, games from Dhs65. @ BattleKart The UAE's latest hub of augmented reality karting has just screeched through the chequered flag at DIP. BattleKart is another adherent to 'the ministry of blue shell'. Shh, it's a Mario Kart thing. Here duelling kartists can face off and sling virtual missiles at each other in four different game modes that involve: a classic destruction derby race; a version of Nokia's classic Snake; tagging the floor with digital graffiti; or hoofing 30-yard screamers in a quick-fire round of rocket football. Dubai Investment Park, Dhs200. @battlekartdubai Loco Bear This 70,000 sqf leisure colossus is self-described as an ' indoor entertainment hub and theme park' in Al Quoz 2 has been created to enthral all ages. Loco Bear is rammed to the rafters with unique activities, including the unprecedented mess of whatever the Slime Universe is; a soft play zone; VR games; a ball pit with a splash of Squid Game energy; and challenging wall climbs. There are adrenalin-courting attractions too – Takeshi's Jump and Leap of Faith. And there's more… an 18,500 sqf interactive Trampoline Arena; Ninja Warrior and parkour challenges; a Wipeout Area; an indoor roll glider; two futuristic laser tag arenas; a six-lane first-of-it's-kind in the UAE interactive bowling set up; shuffleboard; arm wrestling; air hockey; and pool. More than un poco loco. Al Quoz 2, prices start from Dhs135 for children and Dhs140 for adults. @ Old but indoor gold Aya Universe Launch yourself into a mesmerising constellation of cosmos-themed, interactive exhibits with a trip to family-friendly, AYA. Known for its Gram Candy surrounds, AYA-nauts can explore the entertainment park's high-tech sound and visual bewitchery. Attractions inside this 40,000-square-foot universe-within-a-universe include strobe-lit waterfalls, lava rivers, and an absolutely massive, digitally enhanced ball pit, all designed to immerse you in an alternate reality. Wafi Mall, from Dhs125. @ayauniverse RollDXB Like hair, roller skating was big in the 80s. And whilst its popularity dropped off dramatically in the subsequent decades – the last few years have seen a bit of a revival. And why not? It's all incredibly good fun – racing around a rink to a tracklist of bangers, the thrill of evading mild concussion, learning new tricks, and cutting down commute times. And if you're looking for somewhere to learn, or indeed practise this graceful art, RollDXB – with its retro vibe, disco ball and skilled instructors – wheely is the best place to do it. Shed 3 Marina Cubes Street, Dubai Maritime City, Dhs90 including equipment rental . @rolldxb JA Shooting Club Pistols at dawn. Ok not dawn, it opens at 1.45pm. And it doesn't just have to be pistols – they have rifles and shotguns too. We know that guns can be a divisive topic – but JA Shooting Club has a long history of providing a safe and well equipped space for the ballistically curious and trained sharp shooters alike. For the cooler months there are five floodlit outdoor clay shooting ranges, and for summer – a 10 lane, 25-meter indoor pistol range. JA The Resort, Jebel Ali Freezone, non member prices from Dhs150. @jatheresort Ground Control Brand new at Nakheel Mall, Ground Control – found next to the shopping hub's Vox Cinema – is more than the sum of its eight-lane bowling alley. There's mini golf, darts, axe throwing, and a collection of retro video games. Nakheel Mall, bowling from, Dhs75. @groundcontrolme Game Over When it comes to escape rooms, we really are spoilt for choice in Dubai – but Game Over is a venue we keep coming back to. Although that might be the Stockholm syndrome talking. Found on the upper floor of Nakheel Mall – there are currently 12 individual rooms that require your amateur sleuthing skills. The puzzle themes run the gamut from horror to Agatha Christie inspired murder mystery, there's a Wizarding World hat tip and several of the challenges have live actors. But for a real test of mentalist mettle, try Illuminati – an off-brand Da Vinci Code tribute that would even give Professor Langdon the red herring run around. Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Dhs140. @game_over_dubai The Smash Room If the very idea of meditation makes you want to flip tables, do we have the stress relief for you. The Smash Room is essentially rage yoga. Select your weapon and then enter a cage to theatrically dismantle assorted mundane objects. Nostalgia is spared no mercy with old TVs, glass bottles, washing machines, and printers all going, quite literally, under the hammer. Too agro to drive? They've recently launched The Smash-Mobile which will drive right to you, so you can hop in the back and get medieval on a bunch of miscellaneous bric-a-brac. Al Quoz, from Dhs69. @ New for the kids Boo Boo Laand Found in Dubai Mall this 25,000 sqft space is a shrine to wonder and whimsy with over 30 individual attractions spread across four different zones. The space is designed for young'uns of all ages – from babies to teens – and features a snow park, super slide, trampolines, football stadium, princess dress-up area, arts and crafts area, as well as live performances, interactive shows, and meet-and-greets with special characters. Boo Boo Laand, Dubai Mall, pricing TBC. @booboolaand Rimbamelle This high-end, aesthetic-forward indoor playground opened its doors in June and offers the exciting prospect of a soft play experience paired with a bar for the adults. Its jungle-inspired wonderland features stylishly designed slides, ball pits, and interactive games. The venue also runs fun junior workshops on cooking, arts and crafts. The Wharf, Bluewaters, from Dhs100 for three hours. @ Images: Provided
What's On
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
There's a life-size Pac-Man maze coming to Dubai
This sounds like so much fun… 3 of 12 From the creators of Chaos Karts Dubai, Fever and Active Games are bringing their newest concept to Dubai. This May, PAC-MAN Live Studio is coming to Dubai's gaming scene, and you can experience a real-world maze that turns the iconic arcade game into a larger-than-life adventure. This new indoor attraction fuses retro nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. After captivating audiences with Chaos Karts, Active Games and Fever are unveiling the latest concept in Al Quoz. Opening May 7, PAC-MAN Live Studio invites thrill-seekers, gamers, and families alike to step inside the legendary PAC-MAN universe, powered by augmented reality and state-of-the-art digital projections. Already a hit in Manchester, this experience now makes its way to the UAE as one of Dubai's standout entertainment attractions—a modern tribute to a game that defined generations. In PAC-MAN Dubai, Players will dash through a full-scale PAC-MAN style maze, collecting Power Pellets and dodging digital ghosts in an immersive environment of vibrant visuals, neon lights, and sound effects. You can either bring a group or go yourself, the 30-minute experience mirrors the beloved arcade original version. Book here. PAC-MAN Dubai will have teamwork, competition, and instagrammable photo ops—all in one vividly lit, fun challenge. This would be such a fun day date idea in the summer too when the weather gets a little warmer… > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
