For decades the craft beer question in Abu Dhabi answered itself: there was none, and the imports came cold but predictable. Then the law changed, a Louisiana expat built a brewhouse in a mall, and the capital quietly became the UAE's most interesting beer city.
Five rooms define the scene. The category page lives at craft beer in Abu Dhabi, the city guide at Abu Dhabi.
1. Craft by Side Hustle
Craft by Side Hustle opened in 2023 at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island as the first licensed commercial brewery in the UAE, and Fodor's and Time Out both treated it as the regional landmark it is. The team has brewed more than 40 beers to date, with 14 on tap at any one time across Czech, German, British, American, and Belgian styles.
Co-founder Chad McGehee brought Louisiana with him: smoked brisket, jambalaya, and Cajun po'boys back the beer, under a New Orleans mural and metalwork forged by Irish blacksmiths. It runs to 01:00 on weekdays and 03:00 on weekends.
2. Belgian Cafe
The Belgian Cafe at the InterContinental has poured abbey ales and Trappist bottles since long before the word craft reached the Gulf. The list rewards drinkers who know their dubbels from their tripels, and the mussels do the rest.
3. McGettigan's
McGettigan's runs the Irish pub playbook at scale, and its tap line consistently carries more interesting rotation than the hotel bars around it. Match nights fill it; quiz nights keep it honest.
4. Stars 'N' Bars
Stars 'N' Bars works the Yas Marina waterfront as an American sports bar with a beer list that takes the job seriously. Sit outside, order a bucket, and watch the superyachts pretend not to watch you.
5. McCafferty's
McCafferty's on Yas Island backs its pints with live bands and tribute acts year round, which makes it the most reliable pairing of beer and noise in the capital. Midweek it relaxes into a proper local.
How the Scene Works
Licensing shapes everything. Most beer pours inside hotel attached venues, which keeps prices high but standards consistent; expect roughly 40 to 55 AED a pint and plan around happy hours.
Al Maryah Island is the center of gravity now. Craft anchors it, and the rest of the island's bars, covered in our Al Maryah Island guide, fill the evening around it.
"The UAE's first brewery did not open in Dubai. Abu Dhabi got there first, and it tastes like it intends to keep the lead."
The Editors' Call
Craft by Side Hustle is the pilgrimage; everything else is the rotation. For the night after the beer, Ray's Bar handles the view and our Abu Dhabi list ranks the whole city. The global category lives at craft beer bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is beer actually brewed in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, since 2023. Craft by Side Hustle at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island became the UAE's first licensed commercial microbrewery and has released more than 40 beers to date.
Can tourists drink beer in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, in licensed venues, which in practice means hotel attached bars and a growing set of standalone licensed rooms. The drinking age is 21.
How much does a pint cost in Abu Dhabi?
Expect roughly 40 to 55 AED in most licensed venues, with happy hours cutting that meaningfully. Brewery taps at Craft trade freshness for a similar price.
When is the best time to go?
Craft runs until 01:00 on weekdays and 03:00 on weekends. Everywhere else, aim for the post work window from 18:00 when the terraces cool down.
