With very few exceptions, hotels are
the main focus for nightlife, since
they are the places that can serve
alcohol.
Bars
The
rule of thumb seems to be anything
so long as its Western, with
English pubs the current preferred
choice of watering hole. The Tavern
at the Sheraton Resort & Towers,
& Harvesters Pub at Sands
Hotel are the best flag-fliers. The
Gauloises Club at Le Meridien is the
latest chic nightspot to arrive in
the capital. Dress is smart, &
although it does have a no rules
night, this really means designer
jeans & Versace T-shirts. US bars
are also popular, especially Heroes
(Crowne Plaza) & Island Exchange
(Abu Dhabi Grand), while the Hilton
has two excellent live music venues:
Hemingways & the Jazz Bar.
The adjoining Tequilana is also worth
a look, particularly if the karaoke
urge gets the better of you. Other
popular venues include PJ OReillys,
an authentically Irishy pub at the
Abu Dhabi Grand, & 49ers,
at the Dana Hotel a combination
Tex-Mex diner, bar & nightclub,
depending upon what time you arrive,
& hugely popular whenever.
Classic
Bars (Wine Bars)
There
are very few wine bars, but Chequers
at the Sands Hotel is definitely worth
a viewing. The selection is excellent,
with superior bar food culled from
rabbit, venison & other game,
while the new black & chrome decor
will appeal to 80s nostalgists.
Music
clubs (Piano Bars)
Last
but not least, there are several piano
bars where more sophisticated evening
entertainment can be had. Vincents
Bar at the Crowne Plaza & The
Piano Lounge at Abu Dhabi Grand are
two of the best.
Dancing
Nightclubs
are numerous, although most of them
aim for a broader appeal by providing
food earlier in the evening. Among
the more popular venues are Colosseum
at the Marina Club, with consistently
good live music, Le Gauloises Club
at Le Meridien, & Illusions at
the Abu Dhabi Grand.
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