Live DJ sets, diving with sharks, wonderland tea parties and more
Ready to crush the weekend in Dubai? We thought so.
From live DJ sets, diving with sharks, wonderland tea parties – we see you, Alice – we’ve pulled together some of the most exciting things to do in Dubai this weekend.
For more top things to do in Dubai this week, click here.
Looking to dine out this week? Head here for all the best restaurants in Dubai.
For top bars to check out, click here.
If keeping active is more up your street, have a gander here for everything sport and wellbeing-related across the capital.
Brunching? Click here.
Thursday
Catch a live DJ set at Time Out Market Dubai
Perk up your Thursday with a live DJ set at Time Out Market Dubai. Natalie Brogan is on the decks this week from 8pm until 11pm, so get ready to kick-start your weekend in Dubai in style.
Thu 8pm-11pm. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutdubai.com/time-out-market-dubai.
For more tasty Time Out Market Dubai news, click here
We love new things, and Dubai always delivers on that front. Some seriously top-notch new bars, nightclubs, and lounges have opened their doors in recent times, and we’ve pulled together a list of the most exciting. From ultra-cool Black DXB to smash-hit Goose Island in JVC, we’ve got all the details on the newest kids on the block in Dubai this weekend.
Have an Alice in Wonderland tea party at Tanias Teahouse
Embrace your inner child at Tania’s Teahouse all this month. The more than ‘grammable spot is laying on some curious family-friendly fun, with its Alice in Wonderland theme running through September. Keep an eye out for the Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and even Alice herself in Dubai this weekend.
Until Thu Sep 30. Open daily 9am-6pm. Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim, Dubai (04 324 0021).
Friday
Complete the Shark Walker experience at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Want to come face-to-face with one of the ocean’s most efficient predators? Then a plunge into this aquarium at The Dubai Mall is just the thill you’re looking for. Sinking 10m down in a secure cage, divers will get up close and personal with some serious intimidating locals. Astronaut-style helmets mean even the most inexperience landlubber can eyeball sharks in their own element in Dubai over the weekend.
For more places to get below the waves, click here.
From Dhs620. The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, .thedubaiaquarium.com.
Get your kicks at the You Better Fly pop-up at Mall of the Emirates
Get your hands on – and feet into – a fresh pair of kicks from the most sought-after brands including Air Jordans and Yeezy boosts at You Better Fly’s pop-up sneaker experience. What are you waiting for? Step to THAT Concept Store to feel oh so fly in Dubai this weekend.
Until Oct 31. Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha thatconceptstore.com/index.html
Join the ‘90s throwback at Cinema Akil
Cinema Akil continues its ’90s throwback with quirky comedy Clueless (1995) directed by Amy Heckerling. Follow the life of Cher, a high school student in Beverly Hills, who must survive the ups and downs of adolescent life as she plays high school match-maker, helping her friends with fashion choices, and looking for the right boyfriend. Pass the popcorn.
Dhs52.50. Sep 10-18 times vary. Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz (058 579 6957).
See internationally renowned Techno DJ Stephan Jolk Stars at Soho Garden
DJ Stephan Jolk is taking over Soho Garden’s Tulum Nights this Friday. Being a constant in the techno music scene, he has set ablaze some of the finest music with his natural intuition and a knack for the best music tracks by adding his unique zing.
Reservation only. Fri Sep 10 8pm to 3am. Soho Garden, Meydan Racecourse, Nad Al Sheba, sohogardendxb.com (052 388 8849).
Tune into Euro pop group No Mercy at Dubai Opera
Where did you go, my lovely? I wanna know. Well, we know where No Mercy will be on September 10 and that is because they are coming to Dubai Opera. The Euro-pop band will be performing some of their uber popular ’90s hits including Missing, Please Don’t Go and of course, Where Do You Go.
From Dhs195. Fri Sept 10 starts 9pm. Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, dubaiopera.com, 800tickets.com.
Try a new brunch at The Irish Village
Ready for a fun-filled Friday afternoon full of Irish craic? Head to this longstanding and much-loved pub in Dubai for the Irish Village On Tour brunch – where you’ll get heaps of choice from all around the world. Think fish and chips, fry-ups, butter chicken, dhal, nachos and more. Plus, of course, free-flowing drinks and live music too. It’s all launching this Friday (September 10) so don’t miss it.
Dhs149 (soft drinks), Dhs249 (house beverages), Dhs59 (kids under 12). Fri noon-5pm (three-hour package). Garhoud (04 239 5000).
Saturday
Act the part at the Courtyard Playhouse
Thespian, drama queen, performer, star in Dubai in September? If those words ring true to you and you’ve been told that you have a “natural flair” for drama, then why not finesse those abilities with an improv course? The Courtyard Playhouse first opened in 2013, the independent theatre hosts a variety of workshops and the next set of improv workshops kicks off this September. From ‘Don’t Panic – An Intro To Improv’ to ‘Nuts & Bolts’, ‘Games, Games, Games’ and ‘Storytelling’, there are plenty of workshops to choose from. It’s acts, lights, improve this weekend in Dubai.
Prices, dates and timings vary. The Courtyard, Al Quoz, courtyardplayhouse.com (050 781 2269).
Explore Dubai’s newest waterfront market
Souk Al Marfa, an all-new marketplace, has opened in Dubai. Located at Deira Islands, the indoor marketplace boasts 400 shops – with more to open soon – stocking everything from carpets, lights, spices, fashion, electronics, and more. The fully air-conditioned souk stretches 1.9 kilometres along the waterfront and there’s even an authentic Thai market to explore offering food, handicrafts, street food and clothing from the Far East, plus plenty of restaurants to refuel at after a long day of hitting the shops. See you at the souk?
Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Deira Islands, Deira, soukalmarfa.ae (800 625 4335).
Laugh out loud with comedians Rajae Qawas and Mohamed Salem
Ready to laugh out loud? Catch not one but two comedy greats this weekend. Funnymen Rajae Qawas and Mohamed Salem are in town deliver their trademark laughs. Rajae, from Jordan, is no stranger to performing in the UAE as he had earlier taken his act to the stage in Abu Dhabi as part of the Arab Comedy Festival in 2016. Mohamed is a pioneer of Egyptian stand-up comedy. He has also won the Best Comedian in the Middle East Award at the Amman Stand-Up Comedy Festival and was the first to introduce the concept of weekly stand-up comedy shows in Egypt.
From Dhs95. Sat Sep 11 9pm-10.30pm (doors open 8.30pm). The Theatre – Mall of the Emirates, bookmyshow.com and platinumlist.net.
Take the gang to Dubai’s largest kids’ soft play area in Al Quoz
Ready for a rumble in the jungle? This rainforest themes soft-play spot is a natural habitat for kids to blow off some steam, and we reckon that means it’ll be a big hit with parents, too. Ready Set Go has opened in Al Quoz and is Dubai’s newest, largest indoor play area where kids aged between one and 12 can go to get their fun on. Mum and Dad can get their caffeine fix at the on-site café.
Dhs95 (kids over three), Dhs. Sun-Wed 9am-7pm, Thu & Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm. Al Quoz 3, Dubai, readysetgo.ae (04 229 9989).
Try the menu at Punjab Grill
Punjab Grill opens with a reputation for quality, having dazzled diners at Venetian Village, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal in Abu Dhabi. If you love inventive Indian dishes as much as we do, you’re going to love what’s on the menu. (We’re partial to the paneer roulade – cannelloni stuffed with paneer, makhani and saag). Make your reservation this weekend in Dubai.
Open daily 11.30am-11.30pm. The Oberoi, Dubai, Business Bay (04 444 1444).
