Another weekend’s around the corner and you didn’t think we’d leave you hanging, right? Here’s a quick snapshot of all the creative and quirky things to do whether you’re a social butterfly that’s out and about 24/7 or a weekend warrior.
1. Watch a movie while sitting in a pool
This Dive-in Cinema is figuratively and literally one of the coolest movie nights in town. Plus, it lets you relish the great outdoors without a heatstroke. What’s not to love here? Every Friday night, you get to unleash your inner child (or your actual offspring) with animated movies, unlimited popcorn and free pool access at The Green Room in Sports City. Click here for details.
2. Stretch at an underwater yoga class in an aquarium
Feel like you’re drowning with stress? Time to switch off and find peace at this serene underwater yoga class in The Lost Chambers. The iconic Godfather dialogue of ‘sleeping with the fishes’ takes on a more benign tone here during shavasanas when you lie down as 65,000 marine animals float around you. Details here.
3. Have a rocking Saturday night at these concerts
Egyptian rock band Cairokee and hip-hop artist Afroto will perform at a live concert called Beat The Heat, tomorrow July 16. Find ticket and venue details here.
Bollywood music fans? Composer-duo and brothers Salim-Sulaiman are playing a gig at the Coca-Cola arena on July 16. Details here.
4. Celebrate World Ice Cream Day on Sunday with a Sundae
Dubai has some really cool ice cream parlours that you should frequent at all times during the summer. But they particularly deserve a visit during World Ice Cream Day on July 17. How apt is that it falls on a Sunday? Check out our list of 5 delicious ice cream places and what you should order there. Make sure you get all the extra toppings and a supersized scoop!
5. Dance in the rain at this rainforest-themed pool bar
We’re not sure if Dubai will see any showers this weekend but if it’s a Raindance party you want then hit up Barasti this weekend. Their pool and deck have been converted into a rainforest-themed venue for summer. Entry is free, music is popping and details are here.
6. Free anime movie screening at Cinema Akil
Natsu, Alserkal Avenue’s Japanese arts and culture festival is on until July 31. And there’s tons of things to do this weekend. As part of it Cinema Akil is hosting movie screenings. This weekend, Gintama: The Very Final is screening. Oh, you also get free matcha soft serve! Click here to find out how to get your free scoop.
7. Test your GK at this Sunday quiz night
Do you even read the news, bro? You probably get all your info from Instagram. Either way, the Roaring Q Quiz Nights at Taj Exotica’s british gastropub called Roaring Rabbit will test your general knowledge. Quiz master Sibbers will deal the questions that will test your smarts. Time to ring up your nerdiest pal and ace the evening full of challenges, games, and prizes. Brain fuel will come in the form of a bucket of five beers and 25 chicken wings.
When: Sunday; 7 pm
Where: Roaring Rabbit, Taj Exotica The Palm
Price: AED 199 per person for a bucket of 5 beers and 25 chicken wings
Contact: Call 04 2754444 or email roaringrabbit.exoticadubai@tajhotels.com
8. Enjoy two backyard-style brunches for the price of one
Joe’s Backyard is a neat little restaurant on Dubai Festival City’s 19th floor. While it’s well-loved for its chilled-out atmosphere and great views, it’s giving us more reason to love the venue thanks to their Buy One Get One Saturday brunch offer. The twofer lets you go to town on an unlimited menu of chicken wings, Angus striploin, backyard chicken, 8 hours of brisket, cocktails, beers, and wines. There’s A LOT of eating to be done so go hungry!
When: Saturday; first brunch from 1pm-4pm and second brunch from 8pm-11pm
Where: Joe’s Backyard, Dubai Festival City
Price: From AED 295
Reservations: Call 055 709 4509 or email reservations@joebackyard.com
9. Buy unlimited popcorn at Vox Cinema on Sundays
Vox Cinema has launched the craziest popcorn deal ever and it’s on every Sunday until July 24.
Their ‘Sundays At Vox’ deal lets anyone show up with the biggest container they can find and the concession stand staff will fill it up for you with all of the popcorn you can imagine. For just AED 25. People have brought along the most insane containers in existence: inflatable kiddie pools, plastic trash bins (new ones, obvs), and baskets of all outrageous proportions and sizes.
This is where the doomsday preppers come when they want to stock up on popcorn for post-apocalyptic life…
Details: https://uae.voxcinemas.com/sundays-at-vox
10. Catch the sunset and happy hour at Iris
This rooftop lounge at Meydan is famed for its stunning vantage point of sunsets. They’re celebrating that with their special Friday event called Iris Sunsets. Every Friday, from 5-8 pm enjoy tapas and cocktails from a special menu that also includes free-flowing house wine, spirits and beer. There’ll be live music by Kaan Altinbilek and a brass band.
When: Every Friday from 5-8pm
Where: Iris, Meydan
Price: AED 250, Sunset Package
11. Party it up at this garage music gig
Garage music fans should head to the P7 Arena at Media One Hotel on July 16. Garage Nation DXB are bringing a killer lineup of the who’s who of garage music such as DJ Luck, MC Kie, DJ Pied Piper, MC DT, Dane Bowers and Adam Cotier.
When: July 16; doors open at 9pm
Where: P7 Arena, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City
Tickets: From AED 100; purchase here
Contact: Call 04 427 0000
12. Laugh out loud at this comedy show
Homegrown comedy club Laughter Factory is hosting two shows featuring crackling wits this weekend. On July 16, American comic Lisa Alvarado, British comic Paul Tonkinson and funnyman Pierre Hollins tickle you funny at Movenpick JBR. They’ll be performing again through the week on July 20, July 22 and July 23 in case you can’t catch them tomorrow,
When: July 16, 20, 22, 23
Timings: 8:30pm
Tickets: AED 160; purchase here