13 epic pool parties making waves in Abu Dhabi right now

Ain’t no party like a UAE summertime pool party…

You’ve got two choices in a UAE summer, you can head inside and soak up the chill of the air con, or you can head to the cool of the pool for some zero chill fun… We know what we’d rather be doing right now…

All parties exclusively for ages 21 and over unless sepcified.

Cove Beach Abu Dhabi

This location racks up a monster four-in-one tally on the pool party scoreboard. Based on a stretch of Reem Island’s beachscaped coastline, Cove Beach has a sun-soaked itinerary of seafront fiesta for the capital’s boho beachset. There’s Aqua Cove on Fridays, with three hours of free flowing tipples for Dhs159 (between 3pm and 6pm) with choooons courtesy of the captain on decks, DJ Eldar Stuff. That’s followed neatly by ‘Rosé All Night’, also on Fridays, where ladies can enjoy FOUR hours (9pm to 1am) of limitless quaffing for just Dhs99. On Saturdays, it’s Garden of Cove (8pm until late) — a soiree of big atmospheric beats from DJ Bambina, DJ Monkeye and DJ Eldar Stuff, with a three hour, Dhs249 drinks package for gents, whilst the girls get four free select beverages and a buy-one-get-one on shisha. On Sunday, we chill, by the pool of course for Rosé All Day (midday to 5pm) — girls get FIVE hours of unlimited sips and a food platter for Dhs149 (shisha Dhs49), chaps get those same five hours for Dhs249, with the food platter.

Cove Beach, Makers District, Reem Island. Tel: (056) 407 5405, @covebeachabudhabi

Barbecue Pool Party at Cafe Del Mar

Straight from the Baleric beat factory of Ibiza, Cafe Del Mar has landed on the waterfront next to Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. There’s an infinity pool, a cheeky little manmade beach, a swim-up pool bar, and an appropriately slamming soundtrack. Access is free for the adjacent Hilton guests, for everybody else day passes are available for Dhs250 between Monday to Friday (with Dhs150 back as F&B credit), weekends its Dhs350 (also with Dhs150 back as credit). There’s also now a Barbecue Pool Party, which takes place between 1pm and 5pm every Saturday, the price of Dhs499 includes free-flow select beverages, unlimited plates from the barbecue, pool access, towels, a lounger and some absolutely epic bass cone candy. It’s 150 per cent vibe.

Cafe Del Mar, Yas Bay Waterfront, pool party barbecue every Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs499. Tel: (050) 402 2283, @cafedelmarabudhabi

Cancun Wet Wednesday at Amerigos

Amerigos brings the Latin fuego all year round, but the thing about fuego is, you need a place to cool off. Enter the Cancun Wet Wednesday Pool Part. Live entertainment, three hours of unlimited drinks and it wouldn’t be Mexican fiesta without food. There’s 50 per cent off across the menu, and that’s something well worth taco-ing advantage of.

Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Wed 6pm to 9pm, Dhs89 for ladies, Dhs159 for gents. Tel: (02) 656 2000, @amerigosyasisland

Al Maya Island Pool Party

Yep, we’re taking you back to the island, Al Maya Island and Resort to be precise. It takes place every Saturday between midday and 8pm. And you have our full permission to get excited — because there ain’t no rave, like a rave where you can bathe. Tickets are priced at Dhs250 which includes Dhs100 of food and beverage credit and your boat transfers. Like the setlist, the DJ rosta is given a weekly mix up, creating a festival of hectic beats, sun soaked seats and fiesta eats.

The ferry service to Al Maya Island depart from a docking space located close to the Presidential Palace. The boat transfer duration is between 10 and 15 minutes (depending on the vessel and the conditions. The cost of the trip is included in your day pass.

La Loca at Saadiyat Beach Club

Ricky Martin has been banging on about living la vida loca for the last two decades, and you know what Ricky, we finally get you. Taking place this Saturday, September 3 (next date TBA) at Saadiyat Beach Club — entrance for ladies is just Dhs90, and you get four free drinks. Fellas, you know the drill, it’s Dhs250 and you get a big wet zero on the gratis tab (although table packages are available). The tracks are being laid by some of the UAE’s hottest turn table talent — DJ Kaboo, Dj Bliss, and DJ Nuff Said and there’s the option of scoring yourself some super exclusive cabana privacy.

Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, 8pm to 3am, ladies Dhs90, gents Dhs250. Tel: (054) 581 6260, @saadiyatbeachclub

Liquid x Dip Fest at Aloft

Held at that red hot hacienda of good times, Aloft Abu Dhabi — this event is essentially a night brunch with benefits, hitting a frothy peak with a sud-soaked foam party. There’s an 8pm to 11pm free flow drinks packages for Dhs199. Expect outrageous inflatables, local legend DJs lighting up the decks and some truly wild watery rave-up adventures. The next session is booked in for Friday September 2, with a ‘white’ theme — come dressed in 50 shades of pale without having to worry about messy spillages, because spoiler alert, you’re going to get wet.

Aloft, ADNEC area, 8pm to 3am, brunch package from Dhs199. Tel: (02) 654 5193, @dipfestabudhabi  

Neon Nights at Yas Waterworld

This one is for the families. The Yas Waterworld Neon Nights series has been lighting up our summer. In what is quite possibly the ultimate after-dark water park glow-up, guests will be able to plug in from 10am, but things start to amp-up after sundown with a neon-lit splash session until 9pm. In addition to the illuminated kaleidoscopic visuals, there’s the UAE’s only neon-lit lazy river, a live DJ, LED dance performances, and party games including glow in the dark tic-tac-toe, Jenga, and Connect Four.

Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, every Sat until September 4, adults Dhs270 kids Dhs220. Advance reservation is essential, including for Annual Pass holders, tickets 10am to 9pm, yaswaterworld.com

The Overlook

With the sugar-dizzying array of entertainment inside the hotel, and within point-blank Yas Island access, there really was no need for the new WB hotel to go so hard with the sundowner bars, yet here we are. The Overlook features a rooftop infinity pool with panoramic mangrove and Yas golf club views. Featured theme nights have included the Cloud 7 brunch and accoustic nights — but its views, blended brews and good times with those you choose — make it the perfect spot

The WB Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, daily 11am to 3am. Tel: (02) 815 0000, hilton.com

Wet Deck

This one is less of a party per se, but you already know W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is a whole on-key vibe, so it follows that their pool complex would be the preferred pool-adjacent lounging space for the capital’s discerning dip connoisseurs. Their Monday to Saturday ‘Daydream at Wet Deck’ deal is just Dhs150 per adult and you get the full amount back to drop on food and drinks. Relax in sublime supine between midday to 8pm, with a Wet Deck welcome pack that includes a bottle of water, ice lollies and access to those luxurious purple cushion loungers.

W Lounge, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. Tel: (02) 656 0000, @WAbuDhabi

Images: Provided/Instagram