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What's On
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
Things to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi: August 15 to 17
This article was updated on August 15, 2025. Abu Dhabi is packed with unforgettable experiences and vibrant happenings, and this weekend is no exception. From family-friendly activities to celebrating National Prosecco Day, going night swimming and more… Here are the top things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend Celebrate Indian Independence Day Head to Punjab Grill Dubai, a Michelin-recognised fine dining restaurant, and tuck into two star dishes for a discounted rate. You can pick from the chicken tikka sampler – a vibrant and juicy chicken dish grilled to perfection, or the paneer roulade on makhani saag – a rich, creamy, vegetarian-friendly dish. Both dishes will sport the colours of the Indian flag and are priced at Dhs78, a nod to India having completed 78 years of independence. Location: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal Times: August 15 Cost: Dhs78 per dish Contact: (050) 668 3054 @punjabgrillabudhabi Crafts and Play Have little ones between the ages of three and 12? Take them to the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi for a unique exhibition celebrating the UAE's iconic crafts. But it's not just an exhibition; it's a learning experience paired with interactive games. It's designed keeping little ones in mind, and the hands-on journey will delve into three traditional Emirati weaving crafts: Al-Sadu, Talli and Khoos. Additionally, visit the House of Artisans to further discover the craft of Talli through interactive displays, artisan demos, and hands-on experiences. Visit for more details. Location: Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi Date/Time: until August 17 Cost: free entry Contact: (02) 657 6348 Back to school Bawabat Al Sharq Mall is celebrating the back-to-school season with a host of interactive and exciting events designed especially for kids, where learning, exploration, and play come together under one roof. The ground floor of the mall has been transformed into a colourful world of fun, including a giant slide, colored water sprayers, an arts and crafts section plus a space where children can channel their inner Albert Einstein and try some science experiments. While the kids are busy, parents can tick off the items they need for the academic year. The event runs from August 15 to 24 from 2pm to 10pm. Location: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas East Date: August 15 to 24 from 2pm to 10pm. Contact: (02) 503 1400 @ bawabatalsharqmall Go night swimming Marsana Beach Love to swim but need your space? Marsana East Beach on Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi is keeping the beach open at night for people to enjoy a swim under the stars. And since it proved to be quite popular, the length of the beach has now doubled. Visitors can choose to take a refreshing dip in the water, but if you prefer to stay dry, you can unwind and sit in the sand or relax on plush sun loungers dotted along the shoreline. There will be complimentary towels and mini coolers stocked with chilled water also available. You can also order food and drinks on demand from Marsana's cafés and restaurants via a QR code or dine at one of the seven outlets on the beach. Location: Hudayriyat Island Date: open until 10pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends, until September 30 Contact: (02) 503 1400 Spend time with the family Luxury 5-star resort Le Méridien Abu Dhabi has a pocket-friendly deal that's just perfect for families. The La Famiglia Special deal at Méridien Plaza includes a sharing salad and a pizza for just Dhs130, which can be enjoyed by four people. The deal is available daily from 12pm, so you can pop on over for lunch or dinner. Location: Le Méridien Abu Dhabi Date: daily from 12pm Contact: (02) 644 6666 Cheers to the weekend Not only is it the weekend, but it's the weekend of National Prosecco Day, and yes, that is worth celebrating. At The Terrace on the Corniche, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, you can raise your glass and say cheers with loved ones in an elegant and refined setting with a front-row seat to the Corniche. The menu features international flavours which will pair excellently with the bubbles. Location: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche Date: until August 17 Contact: (02) 694 4553 @stregisabudhabi Paella Fiesta at Bab Al Qasr It's Spain on a plate with paella piled high and live flamenco dancers twirling through dinner. It's theatrical, it's tasty, and it's the kind of Friday night you'll want to turn into a habit. Location: Rosemary, Bab Al Qasr Hotel Date: Friday Time: 7pm to 10pm Cost: from Dhs199 Contact: (056) 992 2078 Abu Dhabi Summer Sports at ADNEC ADNEC is basically a giant air-conditioned playground. Play padel, hit the basketball court, drop the kids at camp, or chill in a wellness pod. It's summer-proofed and seriously fun. Location: ADNEC, Halls 4 to 11 Contact: (02) 444 6900 Step inside the wizarding world at Harry Potter: The Exhibition Image: Archive Wands up, a spellbinding experience awaits you in the capital. Harry Potter: The Exhibition has flown (although not on a broom) into Manarat Al Saadiyat, inviting fans to journey through the magical universe like never before. From exploring the iconic Great Hall and brewing potions in Snape's classroom to summoning a Patronus in the Forbidden Forest, this immersive adventure brings the wizarding world to life. Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi Times: Wednesday to Monday, 10am to 10pm (closed Tuesdays) Cost: From Dhs115 Image: Archive
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
What to eat, drink and do in London this weekend for the heatwave (August 16-17)
Welcome back to The Slice! We're well and truly in heatwave territory this week, and we're not complaining. It's going to be a scorching 30 degrees on Friday in case you were wondering – and we want to bask in it as much as we can! Today, we're letting you know the best ways you can make the most of the summer fun – including a free maritozzi giveaway courtesy of Ave Mario. Soft sweet buns oozing with creamy mascarpone… yum. And in case you thought we forgot, we're telling you how you can get your hands on a free glass of bubbly for National Prosecco Day today. What could be better than that? We've also been on the hunt to find the best mini cocktails in London, so when you're feeling dainty and want to drink mindfully, this is the list for you. That includes mini cocktails at Chiave, where music and mixology meet. Try the Killer Queen Bloody Mary with Belvedere Vodka, Clamato juice and a secret spice mix. All the flavour packed into a few sips! Plus: Metro's Editor-in-Chief Deborah Arthurs reviews the new Afternoon Tea-Quila experience at Virgin Hotel Shoreditch – with bold flavours from dishes like prawn and bone marrow tacos, plenty of theatrics, and more. The Slice is your weekly guide to what's happening in London, so if you're looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we've got you covered. Click here for this week's edit of the best things to do in town. The Slice newsletter also a brand new look! We'll still be in your inbox every week, bringing you all the very best things to eat, drink and do in the capital. So if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here! If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, here are 10 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital. By Lola Christina Alao Brother Marcus' brunch menu has got some tough competition – because their dinner menu really sings. Their Canary Wharf branch opened this summer, with a dreamy outdoor terrace and a retractable roof to accommodate our increasingly hot summers. They have an Eastern Mediterranean mezze-style menu – that means sharing a few dishes is your best bet (which is perfect because there are too many tempting dishes to choose just one). To start, what could be better than the fun Rip & Dip Platter for this hot weather? Though pricey at £19.80, the variety is amazing. I alternate between three cold creamy dips – including my favourite, the beautifully smoky cumin packed aubergine baba ghanoush & harissa oil – and pack as much on to the soft, fluffy pita as I can. The Greek salad comes with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and green peppers, and crisp olive oil rusk – all cushioned by the creamiest whipped feta. But exclusive to the new Canary Wharf branch is the Souvla & Skewers menu. Served on a bed of begendi (a creamy aubergine béchamel sauce), Aleppo butter (pepper-infused butter for a spicy kick) and spring onions, the flavours of the fall-apart lamb kofta skewers keep replaying in my head. The finisher is the baklava sandwich (share between two or three friends and don't say we didn't warn you). This dish is seriously rich – in the best way possible. Flaky, honeyed baklava is balanced with pistachio ice cream that adds the perfect amount of lightness. Rip and dip platter, £19.80. Mezze from £6. Skewers from £12. Reuters Plaza, YY Building, Canary Wharf, E14 5HX. Book here. By Chris Buswell Florencio Pizza in Mayfair delivers on flavour. The stracciatella pizza is a must – creamy and fresh. And, whatever you do, don't skip dessert – the banana split ice cream (that they make from scratch around the corner) had me in banoffee heaven. Chatting to our table neighbours who visit regularly, we're recommended the chocolate mousse as another star dish – one for next time. Prices are decent for the area, and the restaurant has a smart, welcoming layout. There were plenty of Italians dining in too, which is always a good sign. For proper Italian comfort food with just a hint of NYC cool, Florencio is well worth a visit. Pizza from £12.50. Dessert from £5.90. 14 Seymour Place, Marylebone, W1H 7NF. Book here. By Deborah Arthurs For a taste of Mexico head to Hidden Grooves inside Virgin Hotel Shoreditch, where a Mexican afternoon tea, dubbed Tea-Quila, has been launched to celebrate new flights to Cancún. Three glorious cocktails accompany a tower stacked with treats – including a watermelon and steak sandwich, tequila macarons and scones with jalapeño jam and tequila cream. A theatrical iced Earl Grey Margarita poured from a dry ice teapot into a salt-rimmed tea cup sets the scene before the main event is ushered in with hot beef empanadas, Montgomery cheddar or jalapeño with sticky short rib 'mexi-scones', octopus with sour cream and prawn and bone marrow tacos. For the finale: perfectly crispy mini churros, earthy with cinnamon and dipped in dark, spicy chocolate. Pair those with the Holy Chipotle cocktail (tequila reposado and corn liqueur, smoky, spicy and sweetened with chipotle honey) then end with the Foam Fiesta – a tequila, hibiscus and grapefruit concoction with a sea salt foam. Dream of white sands and turquoise waters. Or just scan your menu for a 65% off trip to Cancún and head out with Virgin for the real deal. 11-24 August, 1-4pm. £49.50pp for tea, additional £35 to include one of each cocktail. 45 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PT. Book here. Best for: feeling dainty Noisy Oyster's mini cocktails are all designed as an accompaniment to the delicious seafood. Our pick is the Agave, made with Tapatio Blanco tequila, Mezcal Verde, Cocchi Americano and Oloroso Sherry. The combination of the kick from the Americano and the sweetness from the Sherry makes for the perfect little sip (without the hangover). Mini cocktails, £9. Shoreditch. Book here. Best for: music meets mixology Intimate cocktail bar Chiave is putting their own spin on the mini cocktail trend, with a very apt mini cocktail menu. Highlights include the Killer Queen Bloody Mary with Belvedere Vodka, Clamato Juice and a secret spice mix – and their miniature take on an espresso tini, the Alla Turca Jazz with Planteray dark rum, Turkish coffee and Espresso. Mini cocktails, three for £9 or six for £15. Shoreditch. Book here. Best for: modern twists on Italian cocktails Bar Lina have hopped on the weeknight-friendly tiny cocktail trend in collaboration with bartender and author Tyler Zielinski – a published expert in the game. The collection is three 50ml drinks: Bar Lina's savoury tomato twist on a classic – the Bloody Martini, the dark cherry-forward Fragolino and our favourite of the night, the Art of Simplicity – a light Prosecco and Grapefruit Fizz. Mini cocktails, £4.50. Until 31 August. Canary Wharf and Shoreditch. Book here. To celebrate Ferragosto, FREE maritozzi (that's soft brioche buns filled with creamy mascarpone) will be waiting for you on 15 August. Get your hands on one from 12pm right outside Ave Mario in Covent Garden, and feel like you're in Italy! New Korean-inspired noodle brand Namdong, is hosting an After Spice Party you can't miss on 15 August. Look forward to noodles in three flavours – beef jjigae, chicken jjigae and kimchi jjigae. Plus, expect upbeat tunes and traditional Korean games available. All at BeatBox in BOXPARK, Wembley. Join the waitlist for your FREE ticket here. Get a free glass of prosecco at Pivot Bar & Bistro in Covent Garden today for National Prosecco Day. But you'll need the secret password: Prosexy! Iraqi-born chef Suzie Bakos is taking over Jimmy's BBQ on 17 August. Get ready to taste a mouthwatering, Middle Eastern six-course tasting menu featuring dishes like aubergine & harissa chickpeas and traditional kunafe for dessert. Book here. Take a tour through five carefully selected craft beers, matched deliciously to Tonkotsu's signature menu items by beer expert and drinks journalist Melissa Cole. 19 August at Tonkotsu East from 6:30pm. Book here. A new free exhibition at The Science Museum looks at how science is creating more sustainable ways of growing, making, cooking and eating food. On until 4 January 2026. Get your FREE ticket here. Join the movement at Southbank Centre's Dance Your Way Home, celebrating the ways we're connected through dance. An exciting line-up of dance events are taking place until 25 August, including a FREE party by the leader of Ezra Collective, a FREE dance jam session with The Clore Ballroom and more. Take a look through the events here. A series of FREE summer sessions at The Dark Horse are kicking off, a celebration of music, culture, community, and everything in between. Expect a blend of London's top DJs, up and coming artists and summer cocktails. Read all about it here. The Vinyl Market in Spitalfields is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Hoxton Radio is hosting a free-to-attend live broadcast from the market on 15 August between 10am-2pm. So come by and listen to some tunes! By John Nathan More Trending In this musical version of the nation's favourite dog tale (sorry) the power singing of Britain's Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas threatens to blow the spots off this show's 99 pups. Christmas plays Cruella De Vil with a sneer that could silence a snarling Bully XL at 500 paces. The plot, adapted by Zinnie Harris, takes its lead (sorry again) from Dodie Smith's novel rather than the animated Disney version of the spotty (not shaggy) dog story. Yet this production, directed by Bill Buckhurst, has lost much of the charm and wit that made the world premiere at Regent's Park Open Air theatre in 2022 so enjoyable. Whereas Kate Fleetwood's phone-carrying Cruella was more social media influencer than fashionista, Christmas's Cruella is just, well, cruel. An evening that might have finished with its tail between its legs is thankfully elevated by Christmas's voice and charisma, both of which fill the Apollo's cavernous stage. She is a talent destined for the West End. Tickets from £24.50. Eventim Apollo. Until 30 August. Book here. MORE: We asked a deliciously savage barista to rank the celebrity coffee orders you're copying MORE: UK pasta chain with 'carbonara of dreams' is expanding with 300 restaurants planned Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ View More » Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
