It’s Friday again! Well, almost. Then Saturday, then Sunday, and then you go WHAT? as Monday and its blues smack us in the face. We’re getting ahead of ourselves – the weekend’s here! Which means it’s time to leave all your cares and worries behind and make the most of the next three nights and two days. From camping in the rainforest to relaxed Matcha mornings on Sundays, you’ll find something worthwhile on this list to do this weekend.
1. Enjoy Happy Hour at Drake’s Favourite Dubai restaurant
Vibe, the cheeky, blindingly pink cafe at Al Wasl is the Canadian rapper’s favourite eatery in Dubai. In fact, they’ve got a delicious mocktail on the menu based on a recipe by Drizzy himself. The original branch in Al Wasl and Vibe restaurant and bar in DIFC serve the supercool drink – you can find out all about it here. But hit up the DIFC branch for special rates on Happy Hour on Friday, so In My Feelings is just a song you’ll be vibing hard to and not your emotional state this weekend. Crafted cocktails start from AED 45, house spirits and wines at AED 30 and house beers at AED 35.
When: 4pm-7pm
Where: Vibe, DIFC
Price: From AED 30
Reservations: Click here
2. Increase your stamina at this Bootcamp in D3
The Dubai Design District’s (d3) summer festival ‘Rethink Summer’ is in full swing and you can sign up for a host of creative workshops, exclusive masterclasses and pop-up events here. Fitness enthusiasts should sign up for the Bootcamp by Camp happening every Sunday until August 26. It’ll whip you into shape and balance out all the indulgences from the previous day at Saturday brunches. For details click here.
3. Eat scrummy butter chicken for just AED 9 on Sunday
What’s not to love about butter chicken? Creamy, rich gravy blanketing succulent chunks of chicken in a coat of spices and dollops of butter. Yum, please take all our money. The good news is casual dining Indian restaurant Peppermill doesn’t want all your dirhams just AED 9 to hand you a giant point of their classic butter chicken. All you have to do is spend AED 100 at any one of their outlets between July 24 and August 1. You butter hurry!
Where: Peppermill outlets at The Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival Plaza & Dubai Festival City
When: July 24- August 1
Contact: Call 043327337 / 045917155 / 048806676
4. Partake in a dramatic dinner at The Theatre
The Fairmont Hotel’s dinner show destination The Theatre has a slew of new acts performing for the summer. Classic stage spectacles such as a Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Greatest Showman will be brought to life on stage by acrobats and talented performers. Greek singer George Veros of The Voice Greece fame is also part of The Theatre’s Summer spectacle and will serenade guests with his talented voice. The menu is full of world-class culniary finds too! Beluga and Oscietra Caviar, chef’s sushi platter, Lobster Linguini, and slow-cooked Wagyu Tomahawk with shaved truffle are highlights.
When: Friday and Saturday; 7:30pm-3am
Where: The Theater, Fairmont Hotel, SzR
For bookings: Call 04 222 2268 or email reservations@thetheaterdubai.com
5. Camp in a rainforest in the heart of Dubai
South America’s rainforests are quite a few airplane rides away but luckily, we’ve got the Green Planet in City Walk. The tropical biodome is letting intrepid adventurers, both young and old, fulfill their fantasy of an exotic expedition with a ‘Rainforest Camping’ experience. From dusk until dawn next morning, guests will be able to witness the indoor rainforest’s 3,000 plant and animal species through guided scavenger hunts, a nocturnal animal tour, dinner at the Green Planet cafe followed by a nature-themed movie. You’ll also enjoy the quintessential camping activity – roasting marshmallows over a campfire!
Once bellies and minds are full with food and wondrous facts about nature, you can fall asleep in comfortable tents or hammocks set up around the biodome to the sound of cooing birds and the twinkle of stars.
When: Fridays and Saturdays; 7pm-8am
Where: The Green Planet, City Walk
Price: AED 700 per person inclusive of tent, meals and activties
Booking: Click here
6. Eat and drink for knowledge at this Cheese & Wine Discovery
Grapeskin, the trendy wine bar at La Ville Hotel and Suites in City Walk hosts a fun wine and cheese discovery experience every day of the week from 4pm to 12:30am. Essentially, you will munch on the finest selection of cheese, including Camembert, Gruyère, Brie paired with the most perfect wine and dream you’re on holiday in a fancy French vineyard. All that without leaving Dubai! It’s called cultural education, mon cherie.
When: Daily; 4pm to 12:30am
Where: Grapeskin, La Ville Hotel and Suites, City Walk
Price: From AED 85
For bookings: Click here or call 04 403 3111
7. Evening brunch and a swim at the W Dubai, Mina Seyahi
Dubai Marina’s newest beach club, Ginger Moon, is joining the bandwagon of the quintessentially Dubai ‘evening brunch’ experience and they’re doing it with a fun twist. Their Luna Pool Brunch on Saturdays lets you dine and then dash into the beach club’s stunning infinity pool. Healthy holistic food, a night swim that will chalk up to a workout and chill beats by a DJs makes this almost meditatively relaxing.
When: Every Saturday; 6:30pm – 11:00pm, pool open till late
Where: Ginger Moon, W Dubai, Mina Seyahi
Price: AED 550 per person including house beverages
8. Catchup with Matcha and make new friends at this meetup
Wellness and mental health-focused cafe and community hub Paus hosts fun ‘Matcha Mornings’ where like-minded grownups drink matcha and make conversation on profound topics every Sunday. Has your intellectual curiosity been piqued? Awesome. This Sunday, July 24, the topic of discussion is ‘Play and doing this for fun as an adult’. Hosted by YallaPlay, a team of play specialists and mindfulness coaches, this session delves into reviving our inner child and how doing things for fun has a positive impact on psychological healing.
When: Every Sunday; 11am
Where: Paus Café, 1202 Al Wasl Rd. Umm Suqeim
Price: AED 25 per person
Bookings: Click here or Whatsapp 04 266 5329
9. Check out this fire show and music live experience at Yume
Asian fine-dining restaurant Yume is launching cool oriental music and fireshow experience called Yama DXB this Friday, July 22. They’re promising it’s going to be ‘a mystical experience like no other’. Ibiza Global Radio’s part of it and techno DJs Da Capo, Ronn, Mad Max, Maz and Rita will be performing. Go reserve yourself a spot and get a first look at what could be the next big thing on Dubai’s entertainment scene.
When: Friday, July 22; 10pm-late
Where: YUME at Ramee Dream Hotel
For reservations: Call 055 600 5506