Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's best-kept bars are the ones locals don't broadcast. These ten are worth finding. A working editorial ranking, refreshed every quarter.
Corniche · $$$$
62nd-floor skybar inside the Etihad Towers.
Corniche · $$$$
Revolving rooftop bar inside Le Royal Meridien.
Yas Island · $$$$
Cocktail bar attached to the Hakkasan restaurant inside the Emirates Palace.
Saadiyat Island · $$$
Beach-club bar inside the Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island.
Al Maryah Island · $$$$
Marina-side cocktail terrace inside the Rosewood.
Saadiyat Island · $$$$
Beach lounge with a Buddha-Bar branded cocktail menu and DJs from sunset onward.
Abu Dhabi rewards drinkers who scout neighbourhoods, and the spread below reflects that. You'll find spots in Corniche, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and beyond — each picked for what it does best, not how loud its marketing is. We focus on small rooms, low signage, locals-only feel, no tourist crowds; we ignore venues that prioritise volume over craft. The order is a working ranking, not a leaderboard — number one isn't always your number one. Read the notes and pick the room that fits the night you're planning.
Best for: quiet nights, off-the-tourist-track drinking, locals-only feel. Most rooms here run from late afternoon until 1 or 2am; the busier ones lift their door policy on weekends and we've flagged those where it matters. Save the page, send it to whoever you're meeting, and let the rest of Abu Dhabi take care of itself.
A working editorial ranking. Numbers are guidance, not gospel. Pick the room that fits your night.
Looking beyond Abu Dhabi? See our guide to the best hidden gem bars worldwide, or compare hidden gem bars city by city.