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NIGHT LIFE
General Information
Bars and clubs
Cinemas
Classical music and theatre
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GENERAL INFORMATION

There is ample opportunity to pursue an active nightlife in all of the major urban centres in the UAE, except for Sharjah which does not have any bars or discos. The choice of night-time activities is obviously more limited in the rural areas.

Bars range from sophisticated cocktail lounges to informal traditional British and Irish pubs and Western style saloons. In addition, there are numerous piano and jazz bars. Clubs and discos host both local DJs and big international names. You can also visit local nightclubs with Arab singers, belly dancers and musicians. World famous groups and individual stars from the the West, the Arab world, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East are frequent visitors.

The hotels, in particular, vie with each other to stage the best live shows. Cabaret is standard fare in the hotel nightclubs, but it is during the winter season and on national holiday weekends that the hotels come alive with food festivals, stage shows and themed nights. Talented groups from countries such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka have wide-ranging repertoires featuring African beat, salsa, country and western, rock, R’B, reggae, jazz. Close your eyes and you could be listening to the original artists.

If it is a more cultural experience that you require, plays, ballets, classical music and operas are also perfomed by visiting groups on a regular basis. Music festivals, jazz, rock and pop are also common.

Browse websites such as www.timeoutdubai.com, www.timeoutabudhabi.com, www.dubaicityguide.com and www.sharjah-welcome.com, for an up-to-date list of the live bands and gigs taking place during your stay. Check in local newspapers and entertainment magazines (What’s On and Time Out) on your arrival, or ask your destination tour provider for details of events taking place during your stay, so that you can plan in advance. Both Abu Dhabi Explorer and Dubai Explorer give a detailed rundown of all the venues.

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