The Tavern

The Tavern is the British pub at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, a beachfront hotel on the Corniche. The hotel describes it as an authentic British pub, and it offers exactly what that promises: a relaxed atmosphere, freshly pulled lager and live sport on the screens. For many visitors and residents it is a comfortable, unpretentious alternative to the city's glossier rooftop bars.

Sport is a major draw. The pub shows live sports channels, so it is a natural place to watch football, rugby or cricket with a pint, and big matches bring a lively crowd. On quieter evenings it is a relaxed place for a drink and a chat after a day at the beach or on the Corniche. The hours are long: it opens daily at midday and stays open until 03:00.

The dress code is smart casual, which in practice means no beachwear, and the minimum legal drinking age in the UAE applies. If you want food, the Sheraton has several other venues nearby, including Le Bistrot for French and Italian dishes and Flavours for international dining, while Cloud Nine, the hotel's cigar bar, and B-Lounge, an outdoor garden lounge with live entertainment and late-night shisha, give you different moods for the rest of the evening.

The Tavern suits groups of friends, sports fans, solo travellers and anyone who wants a familiar pub atmosphere rather than a club or lounge. Prices are typical of a hotel bar in Abu Dhabi. If you are coming for a major sporting fixture, arrive early or reserve a table, as the best seats in front of the screens go quickly.

The Sheraton is on Corniche Road, with direct beach access, and it is a short taxi ride from downtown sights such as Qasr Al Hosn. Valet parking at the hotel is complimentary. A good plan is to spend the late afternoon walking or cycling along the Corniche as the temperature drops, then settle in at The Tavern for the evening. Check the hotel's dining page for any changes to hours before you go, especially around public holidays and during Ramadan, when bar hours in the UAE can be adjusted.