World Cup parties, Bastille Day brunches, late night movie screenings and a brand new ladies night…

The weekend is nearly here and it’s time to start planning.

Whether you’re looking to catch the football, or looking for somewhere to avoid it, keen for a big night out or prefer to indulge in a breakfast in the sky, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 12 things to do in Dubai this weekend.

Thursday July 12

1. Kick off the weekend right with an all you can eat and drink package

Zero Gravity has a cracking ‘Social Club’ package on Thursdays where you can get unlimited food and beverages from 8pm to 11pm for Dhs275 for ladies and Dhs325. It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend and with food and drinks stations scattered about the club’s first floor is designed to make you mingle.

Zero Gravity, Dubai Marina, Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, 8pm to 11pm. Thursdays, Dhs275 for ladies and Dhs325 for men. Tel: (04) 399 0009. 0-gravity.ae

 

2. Treat yourself to a fancy steak dinner

New York steakhouse STK has finally brought its flagship outlet to Downtown Dubai and we couldn’t be more excited. The internationally acclaimed restaurant boast unbelievable views of the Burj Khalifa and serves up the most tender cuts of juicy beef that we’re already salivating at the thought of it.

The Address Downtown, Downtown Dubai, daily 7pm to 1pm. Tel: (04) 425 3948. stkdubaidowntown.com

3. Enjoy some late-night R&B from a world-class talent

R&B songstress Nstasia takes the stage five-nights a week at Q’s Bar and Lounge, the city’s premier jazz bar owned by the legendary Quincy Jones. What makes her worth checking out? Only that she’s considered the secret songwriting talent behind mega acts like Beyonce, Usher and Macy Gray.

Q’s Bar & Lounge, Palazzo Versace, Al Jaddaf, Tue to Fri 9pm to 1am, Sat 8pm to 12am. Tel: (04) 556 8865. palazzoversace.com

4. Check out a hip underground club night

‘Hotel Amour’ at the neon-lit Barbary is the place to be seen on a Thursday night for the city’s tragically hip crowd. Local DJ hero James Locksmith leads a roster of selectors spinning everything from bass and bootlegs to funk and bossa.

Barbary Deli + Cocktail Club, TRYP by Wyndham Hotel, Barsha Heights, 10pm to 2am, free entry. Tel: (04) 247 6688. barbary.ae

Friday July 13

5. Hit up the triumphant return of an old brunch favourite

Multi-award-winning Japanese restaurant OKKU is back after a brief renovation period and we reckon now is the perfect time to rediscover why its opulent Friday brunch is the stuff of Dubai legend. From Dhs299 you can enjoy a selection of shucked oysters and fresh crab before moving on to the main event: delectable plates of unlimited sushi, sashimi and maki.

H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, daily 7pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 501 8777. okku.com

6. Kick it old school at a ’90s after-brunch party

The House Party Bar is the new it bar in the city, with its kitch ’90s decor and soundtrack to match. On Fridays they want to douse you in nostalgia with an unlimited drinks package between 4pm to 8pm for just Dhs200 where you can indulge in classic fun things from our favourite decade including Nintendo, beer pong and a whole lot of Britney.

The House Party Bar, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, 4pm to 8pm, Dhs200. Tel: (050) 995 5400. thehousepartybar.com

7. Catch up with your besties at a new weekend Ladies Night

Morgan’s Gastropub, located on the shores of Dubai Creek, has a cracking ladies night deal from 8pm offering four complimentary glasses of wine, sangria or other house beverages for you to indulge in while you catch up on the latest goss with your besties.

Morgan’s Gastropub, Al Bandar Rotana, Baniyas Rd, Thurs and Fri, 8pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 704 2333. rotana.com 

8. Catch a very late-night movie screening

Vox cinemas are opening up their Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif outlets 24 hours a day on weekends throughout the summer. That means you can catch a cheeky 4am screening of the new Jurassic Park flick and be back home in time to watch the sun come up.

Vox Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif, open 24-hours only on weekends. voxcinemas.com

Saturday July 14

9. Watch the World Cup third place play-off

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup finally draws to a close next week you can catch the penultimate match between the two teams that didn’t make it past the semi-finals in any number of venues across town. Need a recommendation? We suggest you party it up at superclub DOME at The Westin Al Habtoor City if you want to capture some of that stadium spirit. Otherwise, check out our full list of venues here.

Dome, The Westin, Al Habtoor City, daily June 14 to July 15. Tel: (05) 6992 6774. domeclubdubai.com

10. Have breakfast at the top of the world

If you’re after an experience you won’t soon forget, then breakfast on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa will be worthy fodder for your Instagram. Choose from a ‘Decadence Menu’ at Dhs342 per person (with a 35-per cent discount if you flash your Emirates ID) that comes complete with continental breakfast dishes of everything from savoury crepes with char siew chicken to brioche french toast, or plenty of delicious a la carte options starting from Dhs69.

At.mosphere, lvl 122, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, daily 7am to 11am, Dhs342 set menu or a la carte,Dhs200 minimum spend. Tel: (04) 888 3828. atmosphereburjkhalifa.com

11. Witness as a K-Pop supergroup takes over the Burj Khalifa

While not in town themselves, K-Pop supergroup EXO will be taking over the Burj Khalifa with a 3-minute sound and light extravaganza broadcast on the side of the world’s tallest building that has their fans burning up the internet in excitement. The show will feature their song Power that was added to the Dubai Fountain playlist earlier in the year.

Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, 8.10pm Saturday.

12. Celebrate Bastille Day with a champagne brunch

With the French football team in the World Cup finals, you just know that the country’s national day celebrations will be extra special this year. Bleu Blanc by David Myers has the most sophisticated Bastille Day brunch in town, with a Dhs649 Bollinger Rose Champagne package that includes free-flowing bubbles and signature dishes from a special a la carte menu.

Bleu Blanc by David Myers, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, 14 July, Dhs299 soft drinks, Dhs399 house drinsk, Dhs649 Champagne. Tel: (04) 512 5533. bleublanc-dubai.com

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