With very few exceptions, hotels
are the main focus for nightlife,
since they are the places that can
serve alcohol.
Bars
The
rule of thumb seems to be anything
so long as its Western, with
English pubs the current preferred
choice of watering hole. The Tavern
at the Sheraton Resort & Towers,
& Harvesters Pub at Sands
Hotel are the best flag-fliers.
The Gauloises Club at Le Meridien
is the latest chic nightspot to
arrive in the capital. Dress is
smart, & although it does have
a no rules night, this
really means designer jeans &
Versace T-shirts. US bars are also
popular, especially Heroes (Crowne
Plaza) & Island Exchange (Abu
Dhabi Grand), while the Hilton has
two excellent live music venues:
Hemingways & the Jazz
Bar. The adjoining Tequilana is
also worth a look, particularly
if the karaoke urge gets the better
of you. Other popular venues include
PJ OReillys, an authentically
Irishy pub at the Abu Dhabi Grand,
& 49ers, at the Dana Hotel
a combination Tex-Mex diner,
bar & nightclub, depending upon
what time you arrive, & hugely
popular whenever.
Classic
Bars (Wine Bars)
There
are very few wine bars, but Chequers
at the Sands Hotel is definitely
worth a viewing. The selection is
excellent, with superior bar food
culled from rabbit, venison &
other game, while the new black
& chrome decor will appeal to
80s nostalgists.
Music
clubs (Piano Bars)
Last
but not least, there are several
piano bars where more sophisticated
evening entertainment can be had.
Vincents Bar at the Crowne
Plaza & The Piano Lounge at
Abu Dhabi Grand are two of the best.
Dancing
Nightclubs
are numerous, although most of them
aim for a broader appeal by providing
food earlier in the evening. Among
the more popular venues are Colosseum
at the Marina Club, with consistently
good live music, Le Gauloises Club
at Le Meridien, & Illusions
at the Abu Dhabi Grand.
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