12 spectacular things to do in Dubai this weekend: August 18 to 20

An evening brunch, an afternoon tea, an icy-cool dip in a pool and more…

Get excited! The weekend is finally here and there are plenty of things to do in Dubai. From an evening brunch to afternoon tea, an icy-cool dip in a pool and more…

Here are 12 spectacular things to do in Dubai this weekend

Friday, August 18

Treat yourself post-work at Amelia Lounge

Once the clock strikes 5, head off to Amelia Lounge in Downtown Dubai for a tasting menu paired with skyline views. The Connect at 5 deal available for just Dhs145 per person will include a number of dishes including grilled edamame, sake nikkei, yasai maki, passion yuzu cheesecake, and more. You can pair your meal with a number of signature cocktails or sips from their collection of spirits, wines and proseccos.

Connect at 5, Amelia Dubai, Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, avail Mon to Fri from 5pm to 7pm. Tel: (0)4 328 2805, @amelia.dubai

Enjoy the happy hour deal at Nonya

This stylish spot in JLT allows you to dine on pan-Asian fare in style. While they don’t call it a happy hour, they offer ‘after-work drinks’ where you can enjoy three Asian-inspired handcrafted signature cocktails for Dhs98 from 5pm to 8pm from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, this offer is extended from 3pm to 8pm. What a good deal.

Nonya, 44th floor, Jumeirah Lake Towers, deal runs from Mon to Thur 5pm to 8pm, Fri 3pm to 8pm. Tel: (0)4 574 1144. nonyadubai.com

Get hype with Kojo Funds at Soho Garden

The party season in Dubai is back. This weekend on August 18, British rapper, Kojo Finds is jetting into town. He is known for combining West African and Caribbean sounds to create a unique sound. He has worked alongside Wizkid, Raye and Mabel. You may know him for tracks including I Like, Dun Talkin, and Check. Kojo will be supported by Mr Levier, 1Takennandos and Black Arab.

Soho Garden, Meydan Grandstand, door rates apply table bookings available. Tel: (0)52 388 8849, @sohogardendxb

Challenge your mates to darts and beer pong at Boom Battle Bar

This is the first international outpost of the much-loved entertainment bar. Boom Battle Bar is a big kid’s dream. Grab a couple of delicious cocktails before battling it out with your mates at the dart boards, have a go at axe throwing or challenge your friends to the ultimate test of friendship with beer pong (house rules apply.)

Boom Battle Bar Dubai, DoubleTree by Hilton JBR, The Walk, open Sun to Thu 4pm to 1am and Fri and Sat 4pm to 2am. @boom.dxb

Saturday, August 19

Chill at Gallery 7/40 with this splashing new deal

The cool beachfront restaurant at The Club Palm West Beach has a super-cool new pool deal that will freshen you up on a Saturday. From 3pm to 4.30pm, the restaurant is turning its pool into a chilly haven complete with a 500-kilogram block of ice. You will be able to immerse yourself in the transformed pool for an entrance fee of Dhs300 which is fully redeemable on Greek and Spanish bites and refreshing drinks.

Cool Splash Saturdays, Gallery 7/40, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, every Sat 3pm to 4.30pm, Dhs300 entry fee (fully redeemable), Tel: (0)58 550 0740. @gallery7.40 

Sip on an afternoon tea at Address Grand Creek Harbour

Gourmet treats await as you take in the stunning sunset at The Patisserie at Address Grand Creek Harbour. Their afternoon tea occasion, Arabesque Delight, comes complete with a live piano show and a choice of international favourites infused with the flavour profile of the Middle East. The afternoon tea runs daily from 3pm to 7pm with prices starting at Dhs195 per person.

The Patisserie, Address Grand Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, Dubai Creek Harbour, daily 3pm to 7pm, from Dhs195 per person. Tel: (0)4 275 8833. thepatisserie.com

Relax and take a deep breath at ToDA

The Theatre of Digital Art is much more than a spot to catch digital art. The immersive space also hosts a number of yoga sessions, music nights and more. On Saturday, you can go on an ‘aroma escape’ which will take you on a 360° meditative journey to help you reconnect with yourself. Your one-hour experience will combine visuals, sounds and aromas and is led by a certified meditation instructor, designed for both beginners and experts alike. Book here.

Theatre of Digital Art, Souk Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, 7.30pm on Aug 19, Dhs250 per person, 13+ and above only, Tel: (0)4 277 4044, toda.ae  

Go on a dining adventure at Netsu by Ross Shonha

This Japanese steakhouse helmed by Chef Ross Shonhan has a new dining deal to try. The Theatre of Fire menu features a selection of dishes prepared tableside with a touch of theatrics that will have you reaching for your phones. Dishes include tuna Tamaki hand roll, spicy wagyu hot stone rice and miso caramel popcorn. You can even pick your favourites from the a la carte menu.

Netsu by Ross Shonhan, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, daily 6.30pm to 11.30pm, prices from Dhs299. Tel: (0)4 777 2232. mandarinoriental.com

Sunday, August 20

Reserve a spot at beautiful Drift Beach Dubai

On August 19, a What’s On Dubai award-winner, Drift Beach is re-opening its doors. This chic beach club has long been legendary with both Dubai residents, sun-seeking celebrities and tourists alike for its Instagrammable setting, fabulous location (at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel) and amazing views stretching all the way out to Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai. The pool and beach will be open from 10am to 7pm. Single sun beds are priced from Dhs200 on weekdays and Dhs250 on weekends.

Drift Beach, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, reopening Sat Aug 19. Tel: (0)4 315 2200. @driftbeachdubai

Book an all-new escape room with friends

Love an escape room? Round up some friends and head on over to Escape Hunt. Together, you will have to complete some ground-breaking missions in order to escape. Work together to find clues, solve puzzles and complete all challenges before time runs out. There is a new room that’s just launched called Alice in Puzzleland where the Hatter has been accused of stealing the Queen’s Tarts. You have 60 minutes to work with your mates to help the Mad Hatter before it’s too late. Other room choices include Jack the Ripper, Aladdin and the Magic Vault and Prison Breakout. Escape Hunt even offers virtual reality rooms with computer-generated 3D escape rooms. Pick from Alice, Mission Sigma, Survival and Jungle Quest. Book here.

Escape Hunt, RT26 Galleria Mall Al Wasl Road Jumeirah, Dubai, Tel: (0)4 334 4473. escapehunt.com

Teleport to Miami at Black Flamingo’s new Sunday Flocktail brunch

For a fun fiesta Sunday, head to Black Flamingo for its new Flocktail Brunch. From 3pm to 7pm, pick from over 20 dishes on the menu for a starting price of just Dhs199.  Want to keep the party going? The after-party takes place from 7pm to 9pm with plenty of beats from the DJs.

Black Flamingo Dubai, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, every Sun brunch 3pm to 7pm and after-party 7pm to 9pm, Dhs199 soft package; Dhs299 house and Dhs399 premium, Tel: (0)58 592 2492. blackflamingodxb.com

Or, party it up New York style at Bagatelle

Head to this popular spot in Fairmont Dubai at 1pm for its New York Brunch. You’ll get toe-tapping music by Mister Levier which you can enjoy with French-Mediterranean food and drinks for a starting price of Dhs495.

Bagatelle, The Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Center Area, Dubai, Sun 1pm onwards, from Dhs495. Tel: (0)4 354 5035, @bagatelledubai

Images: Supplied and social