SPLASHING RAVES

You have two choices in a UAE summer: you can head inside and soak up the chill of the air con, or you can head to the cool of the pool for some fun. Here’s a look at the latter*…

Cove Beach Abu Dhabi

This location racks up a monster four-in-one tally on the pool party scoreboard. Located on a stretch of Reem Island’s beachscaped coastline, Cove Beach has a sun-soaked itinerary of seafront fiesta for the capital’s boho beachset. There’s Aqua Cove on Fridays, with three hours of free flowing tipples for Dhs159 (between 3pm and 6pm) and tunes courtesy of the captain of the decks, DJ Eldar Stuff. That’s followed neatly by ‘Rosé All Night’, also on Fridays, where ladies can enjoy four hours (9pm to 1am) of limitless drinks for just Dhs99. On Saturdays, it’s ‘Garden of Cove’ (8pm until late), a soiree of big atmospheric beats from DJ Bambina, DJ Monkeye and DJ Eldar Stuff, with a three-hour, Dhs249 drinks package for gents, whilst the girls get four free select beverages and buy-one-get-one free on shisha. On Sunday, it’s ‘Rosé All Day’ (noon to 5pm), where girls get five hours of unlimited sips and a food platter for Dhs149 (shisha Dhs49), while chaps get those same five hours for Dhs249, and the food platter. a Cove Beach, Makers District, Reem Island. Tel: (056) 407 5405. @covebeachabudhabi

Barbecue Pool Party at Cafe Del Mar

Straight from the Baleric beat factory of Ibiza, Cafe Del Mar has landed on the waterfront next to Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. There’s an infinity pool, a cheeky little manmade beach, a swim-up pool bar, and an appropriately slamming soundtrack. Access is free for the adjacent Hilton guests, but for everybody else day passes are available for Dhs250 between Monday and Friday (with Dhs150 back as F&B credit). On weekends, it’s Dhs350 (also with Dhs150 back as credit). There’s also a new barbecue pool party, which takes place between 1pm and 5pm every Saturday, which costs Dhs499 and includes free-flow select beverages, unlimited plates from the barbecue, pool access, towels and a lounger. a Cafe Del Mar, Yas Bay Waterfront, pool party barbecue every Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs499. Tel: (050) 402 2283. @cafedelmarabudhabi

Emirates Palace Saturday Sunset Brunch

Brand new to the beach brunching scene, and bristling with bohemian glamour, the Emirates Palace Saturday Sunset brunch at Las Brisas takes place on the last Saturday of every month. Running from 5.30pm to 10pm, the fiesta includes food and drink, a bonfire by the beach and access to the expansive pool complex, which is perfect for starlit soaks. The drinks are Latin-inspired and the bites take the form of a suitably luxurious ‘pass-around menu‘. The food offering is built on a blend of wild opulence and more tested brunch classics. Expect oysters and caviar to appear alongside fish ‘n’ chips, wagyu burgers, sushi, prawn tacos and a collection of live-grilled dishes. a Emirates Palace, W Corniche Road, 5.30pm to 10pm, Dhs495. Tel: (0)2 690 9000, @emiratespalace

Dip Fest at Al Maya Island

For this first of a Dip Fest double, we’re taking you back to the island – Al Maya Island and Resort to be precise. It takes place every Saturday between noon and 8pm. Tickets are priced at Dhs250, which includes Dhs100 of food and beverage credit and your boat transfers. Like the setlist, the DJ roster is given a weekly mix up, but frequent collaborators include prime selecta DJ Rob Forrest, master of mash-ups, DJ Eyjey, beat hacker DJ Mistajay, Nobu’s resident sound wizard DJ Akmaral, and Sara G, a sonic legend of the international circuit. The ferry service to Al Maya Island departs from a docking space located close to the Presidential Palace. The boat transfer duration is between 10 and 15 minutes (depending on the vessel and the conditions). The cost of the trip is included in your day pass. a Al Maya Island & Resort, Sat 10am to 8.30pm. Tel: (0)2 667 7777. @almayaisland

Cancun Wet Wednesday at Amerigos

Amerigos brings the Latin fuego all year round, but the thing about fuego is that you need a place to cool off. Enter the ‘Cancun Wet Wednesday’ pool party. Live entertainment, three hours of unlimited drinks and food. There’s 50 per cent off across the menu, too. a Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Wed 6pm to 9pm, Dhs89 for ladies, Dhs159 for gents. Tel: (0)2 656 2000. @amerigosyasisland

La Loca at Saadiyat Beach Club

Ricky Martin has been banging on about living la vida loca for the last two decades, and you know what, Ricky, we finally get you. Taking place on adhoc Saturdays at Saadiyat Beach Club (check Instagram for the official August date), entrance for ladies is just Dhs90, and you get four free drinks. Entrance for the guys costs Dhs250 with no fun freebies, although table packages are available. The tracks are being laid by some of the UAE’s hottest turntable talent — DJ Kaboo, DJ Bliss and DJ Nuff Said, and there’s the option of scoring yourself some super exclusive cabana privacy. a Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, 8pm to 3am, ladies Dhs90, gents Dhs250. Tel: (054) 581 6260. @saadiyatbeachclub

Liquid x Dip Fest at Aloft

Held at that red hot hacienda of good times, Aloft Abu Dhabi, this event is essentially a night brunch with benefits, hitting a frothy peak with a sud-soaked foam party. There’s an 8pm to 11pm free flow drinks package for Dhs199, or more casual access at Dhs125 (ladies free before 10pm). Expect outrageous inflatables, DJ Eyjey and Mistajay lighting up the decks and some truly wild watery rave-up adventures. Check Aloft’s social channels for the next date in August. a Aloft, ADNEC area, 8pm to 3am, brunch package from Dhs199. Tel: (02) 654 5193. @dipfestabudhabi

Neon Nights at Yas Waterworld

This one is for the families. The Yas Waterworld Neon Nights series has been lighting up our summer. In what is quite possibly the ultimate after-dark waterpark glow-up, guests are able to plug in from 10am, but things start to amp-up after sundown with a neon-lit splash session until 9pm. In addition to the illuminated kaleidoscopic visuals, there’s the UAE’s only neon-lit lazy river, a DJ, LED dance performances and party games, including glow in the dark tictac-toe, Jenga and Connect Four. a Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, every Sat until September 4, adults Dhs270, kids Dhs220. Advance reservation is essential, including for Annual Pass holders, tickets 10am to 9pm. yaswaterworld.com

Wet Deck

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is a whole on-key vibe, so it follows that its pool complex would be the preferred pool-adjacent lounging space for the capital’s discerning dip connisseurs. The Sunday to Friday ‘Daydream at Wet Deck’ deal is just Dhs150 per adult and you get the full amount back to drop on food and drinks. Relax between midday and 8pm, with a Wet Deck welcome pack that includes a bottle of water, ice lollies and access to those luxurious purple cushion loungers. Pulse is the Thursday night session with big beats and submerged seats and comes with a three-hour beverage package (ladies Dhs150, gents Dhs200). And ‘Soak it Up Saturdays’ also come with their own daytime drinks deals (ladies’ entry costs Dhs160, while gents pay Dhs220 for three hours). a W Lounge, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. Tel: (0)2 656 0000. @WAbuDhabi

The Overlook

With the dizzying array of entertainment inside the hotel, and point-blank Yas Island access, there really was no need for the new WB hotel to go so hard with the sundowner bars, yet here we are. The Overlook features a rooftop infinity pool with panoramic mangrove and Yas golf club views. Featured theme nights have included the Cloud 7 brunch and accoustic nights, but its views, blended brews and good times with those you choose make it the perfect spot. a The WB Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, daily 11am to 3am. Tel: (0)2 815 0000. hilton.com

*All parties are exclusively for 21 years and over unless specified.