Nightclubs in Abu Dhabi: the best bars and nightclubs to dance the night away
Abu Dhabi might have a slower pace rep and while we love that for us, the nightlife scene is alive and well. From a Mexican restaurant that turns into a dancefloor as soon as you put your cutlery down and new events reigniting house music to your trusty Irish pubs delivering a solid night out weekend after weekend, you won't be disappointed at any of these spots. Are you game for a dance-off? Let's go.
The best bars and nightclubs in Abu Dhabi if you want to dance
Atlon
This place in Souk Qaryat Al Beri may be small but boy, does it pack a punch. With events almost every day of the week, you can pick from karaoke nights, Afro beats, Amapiano, RnB – the list goes on…
Tue-Thu 7pm-3am, Fri 4pm-3.30am, Sat 3pm-3.30am, Sun 2pm-8pm. Souq Qaryat Al Beri, @atlonabudhabi (058 575 3414).
Barbossa
Not only is Barbossa one of the best Latin American restaurants in the capital, we're also a little bit in love with how smoothly it transitions into one of the best dance floors around. This is especially true on Thursdays, the same day they have a ladies' night. You'll come for the Mexican mixed drinks and the delicious tacos, but you'll stay for the fiery Latin beats and the occasional Mariachi band performance.
Sun-Wed 12pm-1am, Thu-Fri 12pm-3am, Sat 1pm-3am. Yas Bay Waterfront, @barbossa_auh (050 185 8068).
Café del Mar
While the tunes never actually stop at Café del Mar (the temperature-controlled pool makes it the ideal beach club all year round, FYI), it's the recently opened 360 Lounge that you should be heading to for your next night out. Panoramic views over Yas Bay, talented DJs on the decks and truly excellent vibes – what more could you want? We thought so.
Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sun 6pm-3am. Yas Bay Waterfront, @cafedelmarabudhabi (050 402 2283).
Iris
Credit: Iris
With a weekly line-up that doesn't light up, it doesn't matter what day of the week you're feeling a night out. From RnB and Hip-Hop to Latin and Afro beats to 80s and 90s tunes, there really is something for everyone. Plus, the view over Yas Marina? 10/10, no cap.
Mon-Sat 6pm-3.30am. Yas Marina, Yas Island, @irisyasisland (55 160 5636).
Fueeltkl x ADHM
This isn't technically a venue, but these two groups are both responsible for some of the funnest nights in Abu Dhabi. First up, you have Fueeltkl, who organise reggaeton and Latin music events everywhere from the W Abu Dhabi to Iris Yas Island. Then we have the Abu Dhabi House Movement, who are taking on the very important mission to bring more house music to town, organising events at places like Ilios Beach Club and Fahid Island Beach Club. The best part is that they've started collaborating, which is great if you have a variety of music tastes in your friendship group.
Various locations and times, @fueeltkl, @adhousemovement.
Lock, Stock and Barrel
Abu Dhabi's self-proclaimed party bar knows how to make you move and its full-on approach is sometimes what you need to shake it off. The two-level, industrial-style bar has a great view of Yas Bay Waterfront, but really the fun is inside. From endless deals to live music and Ladies' Nights, what's not to love?
Mon-Wed, 4pm-2am. Thu 4pm-2am, Fri & Sun noon-3am, Sat 2pm-3am. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, @lockstockabudhabi (04 423 8308).
McCafferty's
We couldn't round up the best nightlife in the capital without an Irish pub, could we? Since it opened in 2023, McCafferty's quickly became a Yas Island staple and you'd be pressed to find anyone who hasn't started or ended their night here. With live music and DJ performances, it's definitely a favourite among locals.
Open daily 9am-2am. Hilton Yas Island, @mccaffertysyas (058 598 3623).
Zuma
It's one of the best restaurants in town but did you know it actually has a flawless party vibe too? Head over after 10pm on the weekend and you can witness the classy jaunt get its party mode ON.
Sun-Thu 7pm-1am, Fri-Sat 7pm-2am. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, @zumaabudhabi (02 401 5900).
White
Abu Dhabi's largest club knows how to make you hit the dancefloor, with high-tech sounds, lasers and projections and 360-degree projection mapping – plus the globally renowned DJs, of course.
Fri-Sat 11pm-3.30am. Yas Bay, Yas Island. @whiteabudhabi (50 639 8934).
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