Project Étoiles
Last spotted in these parts at February’s RedFest DXB, Conor Maynard is back to play at Project Étoiles, a pop-up concert by the Emirates Palace club Étoiles. Maynard will perform at the 3,000-capacity du Forum on Friday – the day he celebrates his 22nd birthday. Pharrell’s Neptunes production partner Chad Hugo will take centre stage on Saturday as part of his new duo Mssl Cmmnd. The Beats on the Beats headliners are also in on the gigs, with Miguel performing on Friday, while Rita Ora and Tinashe take to the stage on Saturday.
• Friday and Saturday from 11pm, du Forum, tickets Dh350 at www.ticketmaster.ae
Amber Lounge
Rub shoulders with the rich and famous at Amber Lounge. The F1 event that started in Monaco 18 years ago has been an Abu Dhabi staple for the past five race weekends. Passes to watch the race from the Amber Lounge Celebrity Yacht and then head to the after-party – where the R&B star Estelle will be performing on both nights – start at US$825 (Dh3,030) for Saturday and $1,000 for Sunday, while table reservations start at $6,600.
• Saturday and Sunday, Building One, Yas Marina, www.amber-lounge.com
VIP Room
The American hip-hoppers Future and French Montana (earning notoriety these days as the on-off romantic interest of Khloe Kardashian) will be taking the mic on Friday and Saturday night respectively at VIP Room’s pop-up club concept, while the brand’s founder Jean-Roch is flying in for Sunday’s closing party hosted by the reality TV star Kim Kardashian, which promises “surprise guest” VIPs.
• Friday to Sunday, Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, www.viproom-dubai.com. Reservations at 052 881 8888 or bookings@viproom-dubai.com
People by the Sea
The Crystal Group’s huge regional clubbing brand moves to Yas Beach for three all-day-and-night parties, with tunes coming from an impressive roster of guest DJs including Mark Fanciulli, Danny Howells, Timo Maas, AudioJack and Betoko all on rotation throughout the weekend.
• Friday to Sunday, Dh100 entry, 10am to 3am, Yas Beach. Reservations at 050 287 8703
O1NE Yas Island
Enjoy four consecutive nights with an A-list headliner at this top after-hours spot, which launched during the F1 weekend last year. On Thursday the American R&B star Jason Derulo performs a set. On Friday, catch Armin van Buuren up close and personal, fresh from his headline Yasalam slot at du Arena. On Saturday it will be the rapper T-Pain at the mic, while the house DJ Solomun wraps the party up on Sunday.
• Thursday to Sunday, Dh300 entry, from 11pm, O1ne Yas Island, 052 788 8111
The Podium Lounge
Professional F1 after-party host The Podium Lounge – a brand that has hosted similar events from Monaco to Melbourne earlier in the year – is in town for a second year running, serving up an exclusive 1,000-capacity rooftop party with one of the hottest musical bills of the weekend. It starts on Thursday with Miami’s Patrick Oliver and the UAE’s own Smokingroove handling the opening festivities. Then the Faithless alumni Sister Bliss and house duo Dirty Vegas spin on Friday and Saturday. Closing-night duties go to Rudimental on Sunday, in town for a DJ set just weeks after the band thrilled crowds with their upbeat bass-driven beats at Sandance. There’s also an exclusive fashion show from the Monte Carlo couture house D’Ora Tokai, as well as a silent auction of F1 memorabilia.
• Thursday to Sunday, 10pm to 5am, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, tickets from Dh350 (Thursday) to Dh850 (Sunday), www.podiumlounge.com or call 055 309 5495
Super Yacht Party
One boat, three parties. The Dubai club night Sunstroke hosts a house night on Friday; there will be urban beats from UK Flava on Saturday; and retro 1980s tunes on Sunday. Expect a laid-back feel and a more relaxed crowd.
• Friday and Saturday – Dh700; Sunday – Dh900; from 10pm, Yas Marina. Packages with race day and concert access available, tickets from platinumlist.ae
rgarratt@thenational.ae
