General Information |
There is ample opportunity to pursue an active nightlife in all of the major urban centres in the UAE, except for Sharjah which does not have any bars or discos. The choice of night-time activities is obviously more limited in the rural areas.
Bars range from sophisticated cocktail lounges to informal traditional British and Irish pubs and Western style saloons.
In addition, there are numerous piano and jazz bars. Clubs and discos host both local DJs and big international names. You can also visit local nightclubs with Arab singers, belly dancers and musicians. World famous groups and individual stars from the the West, the Arab world, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East are frequent visitors.
The hotels, in particular, vie with each other to stage the best live shows.
Cabaret is standard fare in the hotel nightclubs, but it is during the winter season and on national holiday weekends that the hotels come alive with food festivals, stage shows and themed nights. Talented groups from countries such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka have wide-ranging repertoires featuring African beat, salsa, country and western, rock, R’B, reggae, jazz. Close your eyes and you could be listening to the original artists.
If it is a more cultural experience that you require, plays, ballets, classical music and operas are also perfomed by visiting groups on a regular basis. Even the West End of London has been transported to the UAE in the form of dinner theatre.
Bars & Clubs
Most four- and five-star hotels have bars, pubs and nightclubs. Drinks can be quite expensive. Happy hours are common. The dress code in bars is usually casual, but some bars and all clubs forbid shorts, jeans, trainers or sandals. Some require shirts with collars. As a rule nightclubs have a stricter dress code.
Bars and clubs usually stay open until late, some closing at about 1 p.m., others remaining open until 3 a.m. In general people tend to go out late, usually not before 9 p.m., although if you are in a tourist venue the action can start a little earlier. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are the busiest nights. Sports fans are catered for with many of the pubs screening major sporting events such as Premier League matches.
In some cases the distinction between bar and restaurant is not very clear, so there will be some overlap between the two lists.
Movie Theatres
You can watch relatively recent blockbuster movies or a range of Arabic, Indian and Pakistani films at cinemas throughout the Emirates many of them are multi-screen venues. Check the local newspapers or check out theemiratesnetwork.com for details. Tickets can be reserved but have to be collected one hour before the film is screened.
Classic Music & Theatres
Other than the classical musicians who frequently entertain guests in the lobbies of the larger hotels, classical music is not readily accessible in the UAE. However international artists, opera companies such as Kirov Opera, and choirs like the Vienna Boys Choir do visit, so keep an eye out for advertisements and check the entertainment magazines. Your tour operator should also be able to inform you of forthcoming events.
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Night Life |
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