TimeOut Abu Dhabi – July 24, 2019

Music & Nightlife

48 July 24 – August 6 2019 timeoutabudhabi.com

WHILE SOME HOTELS in the capital

try to wow you with incredible

opulence and furnishings that

look so expensive you don’t

even want to sit down for fear of

making the place look a mess,

Aloft Abu Dhabi is far more cool

and casual.

The hotel lobby is Insta-worthy

in a different way to it’s luxurious

five-star neighbours. Giant lolly

pops patroud from the walls, the

seats are colourful and funky,

and everything is very good fun.

But we’re here to relax on

the 12th floor (the name makes

sense now, right?) so we head

straight up to the rooftop bar,

which, like the rest of the hotel,

is aimed at a young and very

fashionable crowd.

The first thing that strikes us

is the panoramic view across the

city. While many of our favourite

‘bars with a view’ look over the

Corniche (such as Ray’s Bar,

Catch Rooftop and the like), this

one lets us see the middle of

the city from a different angle.

It’s a lovely scene, and most of

the seats and leather booths are

arranged to look out over the

ADNEC and beyond.

We’re a bit early for the

Tuesday ladies night, and the

place is still relatively quiet.

We start off with some of

the mint and lime-based mixed

drinks, and they’re expertly

prepared and super refreshing.

This bar has a reputation as

a party spot, and as it gets a bit

later the tables around us fill

up with groups of friends and

a DJ turns up to start blasting

out some tunes. It’s lively, but

not so loud that you can’t hold a

conversation if you want to.

When it reaches 10pm, we

switch to drinking pink juniper-

based beverages, as they’re

complimentary for ladies up until

1am. Judging by the packed-

out bar, this deal is no secret

amongst those who live nearby.

We also try a platter of Asian

Relax@12

O Open Sat-Wed 5pm-2am; Thu-Fri 5pm-3am. Aloft Abu Dhabi, near Abu Dhabi

National Exhibition Centre (02 654 5138).

“It’s loud

and lively

but you can

still hold a

conversation”

WHAT IS IT...

A rooftop bar

overlooking the

centre of the city

WHY GO...

For the lively ladies’

night and to mingle

with a fun-loving crowd

BAR OF THE WEEK

crispy bites, and the peppery

squid rings, huge prawn tempura,

vegetable-packed spring rolls and

spicy vegetable samosas go down

a treat with our drinks. There’s

also a selection of sushi and mini

sliders if you fancy something

more substantial.

Looking around we spot a

special photo area set up with

benches and flowers; just the

thing if you get bored of taking

snaps of the amazing backdrop.

The party is still going as we

leave, and we realise that if

we ever want a Tuesday night

blowout (or on any day of the

week), we know where to come.

Time Out

reviews

anonymously

and pays for

its drinks

4 48 - 49_M&N REVIEW 1 & 2 ABU DHABI_10033050_10770802.indd 48 8 - 49 M&N REVIEW 1 & 2 ABU DHABI 10033050 _ 10770802 .indd 48 2 21/07/2019 11:21:37 AM 1 / 07 / 2019 11 : 21 : 37 AM