Coldplay - Where To Eat And Drink Before And After The Concert

Lucky enough to score some much sought after Coldplay tickets? We salute you! The next question naturally is: where do we go for dinner or drinks beforehand? 

Given that you can’t access the venue in taxis, we’ve chosen some spots that are either within walking distance of Zayed Sports City or close to the Wahat al Karama shuttle pick-up area. 

Look no further - we have a round up of where to head before the concert to fuel up for a big night of belting out all your favourite Coldplay tunes. Still have some energy left after and want to let the taxi and shuttle queues die down? We’ve got some insider tips for that as well!

Li Jiang Terrace

Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal

Li Jiang is the jewel in the Ritz-Carlton’s crown, offering excellent food, drinks and shisha on the terrace - and is a 5 minute walk to the concert shuttle pick up area at Wahat al Karama.  Enjoy everything from divine sushi to excellent Thai dishes and some superb Chinese food offerings.  Grab a quick bite or spend longer over a meal if you have the time. With views of the Grand Mosque and excellent Ritz-Carlton hospitality, this is the place to start your Coldplay experience. 

Timing: daily | 5pm - 11pm

Bookings: +97128188203

18 Degrees Bar & Terrace

Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi

Located on the 18th floor of Abu Dhabi’s iconic ‘leaning tower’ - right at the start of the tower’s 18-degree lean, to be precise - this top-notch bar offers great city and sunset views from the indoor and outdoor terrace: perfect for pre- or post-concert drinks. In the mood for shisha? They offer a variety of flavours, making it a perfect destination after Coldplay to enjoy the fresh winter air. 

Timing: daily | 4pm - 1am

Bookings: +971507656435

Sorso

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

If you’re a BB+ member, the BB+ menu is perfect for a tipple before Coldplay: enjoy a signature Italian cold cuts & cheese platter with three beverages for just AED150 per person. They’re open from 5PM, and the swanky backdrop of The Ritz-Carlton will put you in a great mood. If you’re headed to Coldplay on Saturday night, we have an insider tip for you: the band at Sorso each weekend is EXCELLENT. If you didn’t bust out all your best moves at the concert, head to Sorso afterwards and dance the night away. 

Timing: daily | 5pm - 2am

Bookings: +97128188888

Cyan Brasserie

Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi

Another gem on the 18th floor with a view for days - a perfect sunset spot if you aren’t heading to the Coldplay Fanzones around the stadium and want to relax away from the crowds a little longer. Styled as a modern Franco-Arab brasserie, there is plenty on the menu to enjoy: seafood, Australian lamb, tasty mezze, salads or even Champagne and oysters if you’re feeling fancy. The interiors are fun and fresh, and the windows frame the Abu Dhabi skyline perfectly - a great option if you have friends in town for Coldplay and want to show off the city.  

20% off a la carte (food only) with BB+

Timing: daily | 7am - 11pm

Bookings: +971507656435

Brick

Aloft Abu Dhabi

There are so many great reasons to go to Brick - both before and after Coldplay. Catch sunset views from this incredible venue, as well as sweeping panoramas across the palaces and out to the Corniche.  Food is well-priced and accessible: there’s something for everyone. Get a pizza made fresh from the wood fired oven, enjoy tapas and a sneaky s’mores for dessert as well as great cocktails and mocktails. Check the views of the concert arena itself and get yourself right in the mood - literally the best place to catch a sky full of stars!

Timing: daily | 5pm - 2am

Bookings: +971549942289

Glow Pool Bar

Aloft Abu Dhabi

For a more casual pre or post concert experience, head to Glow. Sit under the twinkling lights, enjoy truly excellent shisha, a great range of drinks and relaxed food. We love the fajitas and don’t miss the Maori burger - a great option for a big appetite! 

Timing: daily | 8am - 12am

Bookings: +97126545000

Stock Burger Co

Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi

Popular with sports fans for their big screens and good selection of drinks, this is an easy option for a laid back drink and some good pub grub pre-concert. Sate your hunger with their namesake - a proper burger that won’t leave you hungry - and keep them in mind for after Coldplay’s encore if you still have energy to keep the party going. 

Timing: daily | 12PM - 2AM

Bookings: 02 657 4864

Swiss Butter 

Novotel Al Bustan

For the ultimate in great budget dining, head to Swiss Butter, located just 15 minutes walk from Zayed Sports City. It offers just three proteins: beef, chicken and salmon, served in a skillet with the special Swiss Butter sauce for just AED87. Add a baguette doorstop (white or brown), a mountain of thin-cut French fries (or a giant baked potato)and a generous serving of salad greens for a little more. Pints start at AED38 and carafes of wine at AED41, making this a great option for an affordable family meal before Coldplay. 

Timing: daily | 12pm - 12am

Bookings: +97126220047

DRVN 

If you’re keen to head to Coldplay and just want a quick bite beforehand, DRVN cafe is perfect for a casual meal and solid coffee. Enjoy great burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and some scrumptious desserts before you make the great 2 minute trek across the road to Zayed Sports City. 

Timing: 7am - 12am (Monday to Friday), 8am - 12am (Saturday to Sunday)

Bookings: +97124417774

Warehouse

Pearl Rotana

Pearl Rotana is really handy for Zayed Sports City - it’s a brisk 15 minute walk to the venue. Head to The Warehouse for a fabulous range of drinks and tapas style bar snacks.  This is a great option for meeting up with friends before the gig and to head to after to dance the night away to the live musician.  With a happy hour from 5PM - 8PM, the Warehouse offers a good value night out. Check the Best Bites app for a ton of theme night deals - there’s something every night of the week. 

20% off a la carte with BB+

Timing: daily | 5pm - 2am

Bookings: +97123075552

Dino’s Bistro Italiano

Pearl Rotana

For a great casual Italian, Dino’s is the perfect option. Get pizzas fresh from the oven, delicious pastas and some gorgeous little desserts and enjoy a relaxed glass of wine or two before the concert and feed the family for a great price. Walk just 15 minutes from Dino’s to the concert - but be aware, parking in the area is limited. 

20% off a la carte with BB+

Timing: 12pm - 3:30pm, 6pm - 11pm (Monday to Friday) and 12pm - 4pm, 6pm -11pm (Saturday to Sunday)

Bookings: +97123075551

Victor’s Bierstube 

Millennium al Rawdah

If you’re looking for a great value pre-concert meal, head to Victor’s. With a great range of bar snacks, nachos, steak and a ton more delicious options, as well as excellent drinks, Victor’s  is a great place for a pre-concert meet-up. 

There’s also a special pre-concert deal: pay just AED149 and get an unlimited drinks and food platter between 4PM and 7PM. It’s a 5 minute walk to the concert and an absolutely excellent place to go before Coldplay. 

Timing: 12pm - 3:30am (Monday to Friday), 10am - 3:30am (Saturday to Sunday)

Bookings: +971503935529

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ACROSS THE CREEK

Head to the Souq Qaryat al Beri for some affordable eateries and a quick hop, skip and a jump (ok an atmospheric abra ride!) across Maqta Creek to the Ritz-Carlton.  It’s a 5 minute walk to the shuttle pick up at Wahat al Karama from there. 

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Abdel Wahab

If you fancy a well-priced Lebanese, some drinks and a cheeky shisha before Coldplay, Abdel Wahab is a great option.  Serving some of Abu Dhabi’s best mixed grills, fish options and desserts, this is a great place to head both  before and after the concert.

‍Timing: daily | 12pm - 11:30pm

Bookings: +97125581616

Ma Buckley’s

Take a load off at Abu Dhabi’s best Irish bar before or after the concert and enjoy great bar snacks, curries and a banging fish and chips as well as all the excellent brews and cocktails they’re famous for. Ma Buckley’s is running tons of deals:

Thursday 9th January: - from 4-7PM, get a main course and 3 beverages - AED149pp

Saturday 11th January: - from 1-4PM, get 3 hours free-flow beverages, a starter, a main and a dessert - AED299pp

Sunday 12th January: - from 1-4PM, get 3 hours free-flow beverages, a starter, a main and a dessert - AED299pp

Tuesday 14th January: - from 4-7PM, get a main course and 3 beverages - AED149pp

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Also, your 20% BB+ discount off a la carte food and drinks (outside the deals) makes this a no-brainer!

Timing: 12pm - 2am (Monday to Thursday), 12pm - 4pm (Friday), 9am - 4am (Saturday), 9am - 3am (Sunday)

Bookings: +97126428600

Atlon

For some bargain beers, wine and cocktails and a true Abu Dhabi vibe, Atlon before or after the concert is a great choice. Sit on the terrace or inside for drinks, bar snacks and some cracking main options - and change the music in your head to some hip hop beats. 

Timing: 7pm - 3am (Tuesday to Thursday), 7pm - 4am (Friday), 3pm - 4am (Saturday), 2pm - 12am (Sunday)

Bookings: +971585753414

Nolta

The terrace at Nolta will be a grand place to sit to catch all the great concert vibes and is a superb choice for light bites, drinks and some of the best shisha in Abu Dhabi before and after the concert. This is casual  waterside dining at its best

Timing: 8:30am - 1am (Monday to Saturday), 8:30am - 9pm (Sunday)

Bookings: +971585366582

Amalfi Beach Lounge

Shangri-La Abu Dhabi 

Every Saturday, Amalfi offers sunset sips for just AED128, including 4 hours of free-flow with every single drink on the menu - an absolute bargain! Beer, wine and cocktails are all included, so whatever your tipple, it’s the perfect spot for sundowners and a great place to head to before Coldplay.

If you’re heading to the concert on another day, happy hour runs daily from 4–8PM, with drinks priced at AED38. There is a small bar menu if you’re peckish - the Italian charcuterie board is perfect for 2 to share - and it’s very easy to while away a few hours as the DJ spins some tunes and the sun goes down.

Walking into Amalfi really feels like an escape from the city and the only reminder you’re still in Abu Dhabi is the views of the Grand Mosque across the water. It’s a great one for a pre-Coldplay hangout.

Timing: Monday - Friday 4PM - 12AM | Saturday - Sunday 2PM - 12AM | Sunset Sips package - Saturdays 4PM - 8PM | AED128 pp

Bookings: +971 2 509 8555

Punjab Grill

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

We love to see some of our favourite restaurants getting behind the Coldplay-fever, and Punjab Grill, the Michelin-recognized Indian restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, is doing just that! Offering a 6-course Michelin Tasting Menu for just AED249 per person, it’s a great price for what promises to be really top notch food, and in great proximity to the stadium: just jump on a shuttle across the road and you’re all set! The 6-course menu features chakhna, chaat, appetisers, kebab platter, mains and desserts, and has both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Available only for concert nights - 9th, 11th, 12th and 14th of January - it’s a great way to enjoy the gorgeously made over Punjab Grill’s ambiance for a fraction of the normal price. 

Timing: pre-concert tasting menu | 9th, 11th, 12th and 14th of January

Bookings: +971 50 668 3054