Less touristy this week—more social and chilling out.
You know those Saturdays that start with big plans and then gently slide into plakkies and coffee? That was me. (My to-do list said “conquer the world”; my brain replied “how about… toast?”.) I’d posted a pic earlier in the week and a few folks asked how I’m managing groceries and chores with school in full swing. Short answer: I keep the basics simple—groceries, a quick meal when I can’t face the stove, and the odd home service. Not an ad, just what’s been working. For my SA friends: the Smiles app is Checkers Sixty60 on steroids—no drug test required. I love the ironing option—they pick up and drop off, and my shirts return less crumpled than my lesson plans by Week 8.
Yesterday I finally tried the salon-at-home option. Gentleman’s mani-pedi, booked in a couple of taps. They confirmed the slot, arrived on time, laid out the kit like a mini spa, and off we went. Confession: I live in plakkies (flip-flops) when I’m not at work, so my toes were… let’s say outdoorsy—like they’d been camping without adult supervision. An hour later—soft heels, neat nails, and the smug sense that I might actually be a functioning adult.
Come evening, I did a mini-tour of two places that are very teacher-friendly—the kind where you can decompress without shouting over the world. Pro tip: order a taxi; plakkies aren’t built for power-walking between venues.
Stop 1: Brown Lion Gastropub
I first wandered into Brown Lion during a teachers’ event and stumbled onto the karaoke crowd—typical karaoke classics, on-screen rugby, and Afrikaans chatter that make you forget you’re in Abu Dhabi for a second. It’s got that easy British-pub comfort: sport on the screens (where everyone is suddenly a qualified referee), proper plates of food, and a happy hour that mysteriously stretches just when you need it to. You’ll find it inside the Marriott Hotel Downtown (Level 1). If you’re new in town, it’s a welcoming first “teacher night out” spot—no pressure to dress up, and there’s usually a corner where conversations about rubrics and report comments are perfectly normal. (Yes, we are those people. No, we’re not sorry.)
This weekend was a “brunch” between 5 and 9 pm at AED 179 (ZAR roughly 850) but don’t think in home currency – just chomp and guzzle.
A note on brunches
In the UAE, “brunch” rarely means late-morning eggs—it’s a weekend marathon lunch (usually Fri–Sun, ~1–4 pm) that’s typically all-you-can-consume at one set price, with packages like soft, house, or premium (eat everything; drink depends on your package). Expect buffet mountains or small-plate parades; arrive hungry and pace yourself like it’s a 10K with dessert sprints. Most are in licensed hotels (some venues are dry—check ahead), many are family-friendly with kids’ pricing, and the vibe is smart-casual. Book early—payday weekends vanish faster than fries in the staff room—and order a taxi; post-brunch logistics are… ambitious. Elastic waistbands optional but recommended.
Stop 2: Baloo’s Social Bar & Grill
Then a few younger colleagues dragged me (happily) to Baloo’s, which leans even more South African in vibe. Think live bands, staff who know exactly what you mean by “Klippies en Coke,” and an unofficial dress code of shorts, Bok shirts, and—yes—plakkies (the Gulf’s true formal footwear). It’s in the Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel, and they regularly book SA acts; on heritage-flavoured nights you’ll catch groups like Die Piesangskille bringing the house down. It’s the sort of place where you bump into someone who knows someone from home, and suddenly you’re swapping stories about schools, sport, and where to find proper biltong. You arrive for “just one” and somehow stay long enough to debate whether tomato sauce counts as a vegetable. (It doesn’t. Sadly.)
Next week I’ll try some Yas Island options—tune in.
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