The UAE is known for extravagant New Year's Eve soirees, with prices in recent years going up to a whopping Dh15,000 per person for a single night.
That is the case in many restaurants, hotels and other establishments, but budget options still exist. Here is a curated list of options for less than Dh500.
Dubai
Topgolf
Groups of six could head to Topgolf, which will host an action-packed New Year's Eve party, involving a live DJ, international buffet spread and free-flowing beverages. There's also a midnight fireworks show. Different packages are available, but first level per-person rates start at Dh250.
December 31; 10pm-1am; from Dh250 per person for a group of six on level one; Emirates Hills; 04 371 9999
Honeycomb Hi-Fi
Music is the highlight of the party at Honeycomb Hi-Fi. Japanese delights are on the set menu too, including akami tuna sashimi in green chilli ponzu; chicken karaage with smoked soy and garlic kewpie; and jumbo ebi katsu with takana tartare sauce. Freshly made dan noodles will also be served, and the dinner ends with hojicha yama dessert. Guests can choose from three beverage packages. Resident DJs will set the tone for an energetic start to 2025.
December 31; from 8pm; from Dh400 per person; Downtown Dubai; 04 412 6666
Mondoux
The Jumeirah Beach Residence branch of this French-inspired restaurant is a good spot to watch the fireworks from at The Beach. Prime viewing spots in Dubai can be expensive, but the door fee here is Dh300 and it is fully redeemable at the restaurant. Dishes include risotto with tiger prawns and asparagus; baked Wagyu pasta casserole; beef strip loin steak; slow-cooked lamb shank and more.
December 31; 8pm-1am; from Dh300 per person; Jumeirah Beach Residence; 050 137 2814
Terra Solis
Terra Solis by Tomorrowland is promising a high-octane send off to the year at its concert. Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies is taking the stage to pump up the crowd up with feel-good hits. Italian electronic duo Agents of Time are also performing a set of hypnotic techno tracks.
December 31; 8pm onwards; tickets from Dh200 per person; Lehbab Road; dubai.platinumlist.net
The Croft
Located on the fifth level of Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, this restaurant offers views of the Dubai Marina fireworks. For New Year's Eve it is offering a British-inspired feast served family-style.
December 31; 8am-1am; from Dh499 per person; Dubai Marina; 04 319 4000
Brasserie Uptown
The French restaurant at SO/Uptown Dubai is serving two menus on New Year's Eve. Diners can opt for a three-course set meal with caviar and Wagyu beef fillet pithivier. There's also a five-course set menu option, with dishes such as Hokkaido scallops and fine cheeses. End the meal with a decadent nougat glace.
December 31; 7pm onwards; from Dh300 per person; First Al Khail Street; 04 820 8888
Abu Dhabi
28 Degrees Restaurant & Terrace
The restaurant in Bab Al Nojoum Bateen Liwa resort is welcoming 2025 with a lively feast. Dishes include a whole lamb ouzi, jerk-spiced chicken and more. Sweet lovers can indulge in the Valrhona chocolate fountain, with a mini-version for younger guests. Expect some karaoke fun, bonfire dancing and party poppers throughout the evening.
December 31; 8pm-midnight; from Dh350 per person; Liwa; 02 894 8888
Hawksbill
For those who enjoy nostalgia, Hawksbill's party is an option. The restaurant at Saadiyat Beach and Golf Club will play retro hits from the 1980s. Guests can indulge in several live cooking stations, while free-flowing beverages are also up for grabs.
December 31; 9pm onwards; from Dh350 per person; Saadiyat Island; 056 660 8780
The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar
Located at Yas Bay, the Mediterranean restaurant offers views of the fireworks. For those who don't want an all-you-can-eat evening, this could be an ideal spot. Only a minimum spend is required to fill the seats, and diners can browse through an extensive menu with dishes such as grilled salmon fillet, truffle rigatoni and veal Milanese.
December 31; 7pm onwards; from Dh250 per person; Yas Island; 02 236 7831
Sidekicks
The Sidekicks dinner party at the WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton hotel will serve up buffet-style international fare, while Warner Bros mascots roam around for picture-taking and general merriment. This will appeal to families with young children.
December 31; 7.30pm-midnight; from Dh250 per person; Yas Island; 02 815 0000
The Overlook
At the same hotel, the rooftop lounge is offering a prime spot to see the fireworks across Yas Island at midnight. It includes unlimited food and drinks, with a live DJ providing the entertainment.
December 31; 8.30pm-midnight; from Dh250 per person; Yas Island; 02 815 0000
Derwandi
Located in Radisson Blu Hotel and Resort, the Lebanese restaurant is an ideal spot to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks along the Abu Dhabi Corniche. The party features an open bar and a lively performance by Pamela Farhat to ring in 2025.
December 31; 8pm onwards; from Dh500 per person; Corniche Road; 050 543 1595
Alba Terrace
The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at Abu Dhabi Edition is serving a lavish spread on New Year's Eve. The meal begins with an amuse-bouche of cured monkfish and beef carpaccio, followed by halibut, Wagyu striploin and agnolotti for mains. A selection of desserts is also available, while a live saxophonist and DJ will provide entertainment.
December 31; 7pm-midnight; from Dh495 per person; Al Bateen Marina; 02 208 0000
More on Quran memorisation:
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
