Best after-work activities in Dubai
With amazing landscapes, unique shopping malls and the tallest building in the world, the city of Dubai is like no other. If you’re new to the city and are looking for things to do to unwind after a hard day’s work, here are our top picks for the best after-work activities in Dubai.
BEST AFTER-WORK ACTIVITIES IN DUBAI
Whether you want to spend time with friends or engage in thrilling activities, there are plenty of things to do in Dubai after work. Take your pick from any of the following.
WATCH A MOVIE
A good old way of spending a relaxing evening after work is to catch the latest blockbuster in theatres. However, you can take your movie-watching experience up a notch by visiting the unique outdoor cinemas in Dubai, such as the one at Aloft City Centre in Deira. Here you can catch your favourite flicks under the starry sky during the winter months. The outdoor VOX Cinemas is air-conditioned and comes with a retractable roof. Enjoy the latest movie releases on comfortable seats or if you’re feeling luxurious, book yourself a VIP couch.
DINE AT THE BEST CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
Dubai is a city overflowing with dining options. No matter the cuisine, craving or setting, there are tons of restaurants in Dubai from which you can choose from. We also recommend heading to the top shisha cafes in Dubai. These places are known for their relaxed ambience, delicious food and of course, shisha. Some of these cafes even offer playing cards and board games providing the perfect setting to unwind after work.
ENJOY A NIGHT OUT AT THE BEST NIGHTCLUBS
If a quiet evening is not what you’re looking for, Dubai has the most vibrant nightlife for party lovers to dance the night away. If you enjoy music, drinking or dancing, head to any of the top nightclubs in Dubai. It’s one of the best after-work activities in Dubai to de-stress after a long day.
RELAX ON A FERRY RIDE
The Dubai Water Canal is a popular spot for professionals in the city, particularly due to its proximity to commercial centres like Business Bay. Some of the activities you can try out at the canal is taking a stroll or jog around the canal. Visitors can also hop aboard a ferry priced at AED 66 to take a cruise along the main creek.
Alternately, you can also take the traditional ‘abra’ aka water-taxis from Bur Dubai to Deira, crossing Dubai Creek, for just AED 1. This provides the perfect opportunity to explore the traditional souks of Dubai and catch a glimpse of ‘old Dubai’.
WATCH THE DANCING FOUNTAIN
Taking a trip to the Dubai Mall to catch the five-minute dancing fountain show is another great after-work activity. Shows for the Dubai Fountain take place every half hour between 06:00 pm and 11:00 pm throughout the week. You can also take an abra ride around the Burj Lake and experience the lights, music and water in a different way.
TAKE A STROLL AT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PARK
You can visit your local community park after work to meet friends, keep fit or have a picnic. Most communities in Dubai have community spaces or lie in proximity to local parks. Head to the Al Barsha Pond Park on Saturday night to experience a magical market that features local vendors, live music and even free fitness classes. This is the perfect place to visit after work if you live in the rental apartments in Al Barsha. Community parks can be found in localities such as Al Nahda, Al Quoz, JVC, Arabian Ranches and other neighbourhoods.
VISIT THE DUBAI GLOW GARDEN
One of the best evening spots in the city, the Dubai Glow Garden features dozens of glow-in-the-dark installations created by over 500 artists. The garden spreads over 40 acres at Zabeel Park. Dubai Glow Garden is open on all weekdays from 04:00 pm until 12:00 am and the entry fee costs AED 60. Dubai Glow Garden is one of the best places to visit at night in Dubai, making it one of the best after-work activities in Dubai.
HAVE A GAME OF GLOW-IN-THE-DARK GOLF
Speaking of activities to do in Dubai at night, how about a game of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf? WAFI Mall offers this cool and unique activity at Tee and Putt, with ultraviolet lights creating a glow-in-the-dark effect. Other locations to play mini-golf in Dubai include Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT). Check out our blog to know more about the unique sport and the best mini-golf locations in Dubai.
EXPLORE THE WATERFRONT DESTINATIONS IN DUBAI
Another great after-work activity in Dubai is exploring the many waterfront destinations as they have tons of alfresco dining options, retail outlets to explore and beautiful views. For those in the Dubai Marina/JLT area, Bluewaters Island and The Pointe are great options. You can also take photos against/of the stunning street art at La Mer, or check out the urban yet historic architecture of Al Seef.
CAR RACING
For some more adventurous after-work activities in Dubai, you can head to the Dubai Autodrome and get a chance to drive a Ferrari 458 GT3 race car. The experience costs around AED 3,700, where you can drive five laps of the F1-grade race track in the Ferrari. You also get to drive the all-new Audi R8 V10 on the Dubai Autodrome circuit with a professional instructor. You can head to the go-karting tracks in Dubai to test your driving skills and get your adrenaline pumping.
SKIING
Another way to spend the evening after work in Dubai is to head to Mall of the Emirates for some skiing action at Ski Dubai. You can also opt for sledging or go visit the resident colony of Gentoo and King Penguins there! Later, you can unwind and treat yourself to some hot chocolate in sub-zero temperatures at the Avalanche Cafe.
This wraps up our list of after-work activities in Dubai. As you can see there is no shortage of things to do in Dubai after work. If you are looking for more budget-friendly activities, here are some amazing free things to do in Dubai.
If you happen to try out any of the after-work activities listed here, let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear your thoughts.
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