The best brunches, concerts and dining deals this weekend.
The fourth weekend of 2024 is a big one. With dining deals, music festivals, and sporting soirees, there’s plenty to keep you occupied across Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend.
Friday 24 January
Dine on new dishes at ROKA
Located in The Opus, ROKA has unveiled a new selection of limited-time dishes. Available for three months only, these dishes draw inspiration from the season while showcasing innovative flavours and creative combinations. Highlights include Grilled 200g Sirloin with Mustard Ponzu Sauce, Lobster Maki Roll with Yuzu Kosho Cream and Caviar, Panko Fried Tofu with Smoked Tosazu and Shiso Salad and Raspberry Rose and Lychee Pavlova.
GO: Visit www.rokarestaurant.com for reservations and more information.
Try TakaHisa’s beef omakase
The FACT award-winning TakaHisa brings three of Japan’s most prestigious Wagyu beef varieties—Kobe, Matsuzaka, and Ozaki—to the UAE for the first time. Among these elite offerings is the 2024 Kobe Beef Carcass Competition champion, which shattered records with a market price of AED 1 million. Only one cow earns this coveted title each year, and TakaHisa proudly brings this unparalleled Wagyu to its diners. To honour the extraordinary quality of this beef, TakaHisa has launched an exclusive Champion Beef Omakase Menu, highlighting its exquisite marbling, flavour, and texture through masterfully crafted dishes. AED 3,000 per person.
GO: Visit https://takahisa.ae for reservations and more information.
Party with Metro Boomin at Coca-Cola Arena
If you’re a hip-hop fan, Metro Boomin will bring his signature beats to Coca-Cola Arena. For those unversed, the rapper — originally Leland Tyler Wayne — is a powerhouse in the world of music production. He started making music when he was a teen in the early 2010s, and by the time he was 19, his debut mixtape, 19 & Boomin, had already become a favourite. Since then, he has collaborated with artists like Drake, 21 Savage, and many others. Some of his hit songs and albums include Superhero, Like That, Too Many Nights, Not All Heroes Wear Capes and Savage Mode. He released two collaborative albums with fellow hip-hop heavyweight Future earlier this year: We Don’t Trust You and We Still Don’t Trust You.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Saturday 25 January
Enjoy an evening of beats and Jamaican eats
The FACT award-winning Miss Lily’s teams up with Sole and Helipad by Frozen Cherry to deliver one of 2025’s most unmissable outdoor events this weekend. Headlined by Andre Power, DJs Lehash, Crown Prince, and DJ Colione, expect a blend of beats and Jamaican eats in the form of a live jerk grill and perfectly prepared patties. Saturday 25 January from 2pm to 8pm. AED 195 (including one house beverage).
GO: Visit www.misslilys.com for reservations and more information.
Hit the sand with Steve Aoki
Plenty is happening to keep you entertained this January – especially for the melomaniacs out there. Besides being a Grammy-nominated DJ, NFT visionary, and fashion designer, Steve Aoki is also known for cake-throwing acts during his shows. Anyone who has attended his live performances can vouch for just how high-impact and experiential they are – and his upcoming performance in Dubai will be no different. During an evening of revelry at Barasti, Steve Aoki will provide an adrenaline-pumping performance as he unleashes his signature brand of EDM on the Dubai shoreline. With his electrifying remixes and original tracks like Boneless and Delirious, he’s got the magic touch to ignite the crowd and turn the atmosphere into pure euphoria.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Let Boyz II Men serenade you
Abu Dhabi, we have some sweet news. The American hitmakers Boyz II Men are coming to the capital. The group are scheduled to perform at Saadiyat Nights, an open-air musical event that takes place on Saadiyat Island. Boyz II Men’s hit songs include End of The Road, It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday, and Motownphilly. The group have collaborated with famous faces, from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, but it was their duet with Mariah Carey that hit the big time. One Sweet Day spent sixteen weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Over their three-decade career, they have won four Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards, nine Soul Train Awards, three Billboard Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
GO: Follow @saadiyatnights on Instagram for more information.
Sunday 26 January
Visit Quoz Arts Fest
Quoz Arts Fest at Alserkal Avenue has become a staple in the region’s cultural calendar. The musical lineup includes the Dubai-based hip-hop maestro Big Hass and the Sudanese fusion duo MarSimba. Adding a unique flavour to the mix, UAE-based Stick No Bills will showcase South Asian culture through their captivating live music performances and DJ sets. Elsewhere, Japanese artist Yuri Suzuki takes over Concrete, Alserkal Avenue’s multidisciplinary space, with his participatory, interactive sound environment titled Echoes of Nature. A weekend access pass can be secured for AED 63 via Platinumlist, proceeds from which will contribute to the Quoz Arts Fest program, supporting local and regional talent.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Smash some pins
Step into the lively adults-only playground of the Brass Monkey at City Walk, where gaming and dining converge. Sip on a cocktail from the bar, score a strike at the bowling alley and immerse yourself in an old-school arcade while listening to the sounds of 90s hip-hop. This two-level licensed venue offers a bar, bowling alley, dining area, pool tables, and terrace on the lower floor. Upstairs, you’ll discover an arcade with a bar and terrace access. Whether grabbing a bite, playing Pac-Man or catching up with friends, Brass Monkey is the place to be.
GO: Visit https://brassmonkeysocial.com for more information.
Have dinner at a FACT award-winner
The FACT award-winning La Dame de Pic Dubai, helmed by the world-renowned Chef Anne-Sophie Pic, has introduced its new à la carte menu. Renowned for her innovation and mastery of French cuisine, Chef Pic presents a carefully curated selection of dishes that blend seasonal ingredients with timeless techniques. Dishes include Manjari Soufflé, Norwegian Scallop and the signature Les Berlingots, delicate pasta parcels filled with 24-month-aged Comté cheese. This new offering complements the restaurant’s popular Harmony, Symphony, and Sonate set menus. Available from Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30pm to 3pm and 6pm to midnight.
GO: Visit www.ladamedepicdubai.com for reservations and more information.
