Jazz Bar, Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche (Corniche Road, )
It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of all the new places that are opening up across Abu Dhabi but sometimes it’s a visit to an old haunt that makes you remember what keeps these spots open year after year. My girlfriends and I went back to the Jazz Bar after 8 (!) years and we all left saying it was probably the best night out we've had in Abu Dhabi in a very long time. If you like live music, you MUST go here.
We arrived just after 9pm and the bar was already full of life: Kéyali was belting out a Chicago track and David Howard was buzzing away in the background. Both Kéyali and David are amazing singers, dancers and performers in their own right but together, their chemistry was just incredible. They smashed every song they sang, and they had something for everyone - everything from classic jazz with Dock of the Bay, to I Will Survive, Shape of my Heart, Cheap Thrills and even closed with Eminem's classic Lose Yourself. They captured the audience so well, interacting with each and every table in the crowd shouting back and forth to them. The energy was contagious: it was impossible to keep our bums on chairs! Everyone was dancing around their tables (following COVID rules) and just having the best time. Even our waiter, Dana, was busting out moves between orders. You know it's good when even the staff can't help themselves!
We were starving by the time we got there so we went straight in for the starters. The crispy Louisiana lump crab cakes with tomato salsa, recommended by our waiter, were amazing. And, even though none of us are salad girls, we all LOVED the Jazz pear, gorgonzola, and walnut salad in a tart raspberry dressing. We shared the beautifully marinated chimichurri lamb chops as well as a huge portion of Australian rib eye and citrus herbed pan-seared Norwegian salmon. The truffle mash was divine: buttery smooth without being overpowered by truffle.
The drinks menu was extensive and exciting: so many unique cocktails to choose from. We tried a number of the cocktails and our favorite was the bourbon-based peach julep, a twist on the mint julep, one of my favourite cocktails. The cocktails started from AED 50 which is very reasonable for cocktails in AD
Wines by the glass started from AED 30 and bottles started from AED 176.
If you're looking for something a bit different from your regular spots, somewhere with LIFE and ATMOSPHERE, add this to your list to hit up next. This is your warning though - it is loud so be prepared to dance rather than chat
Open daily from 7pm except Sundays. Live music starts from 8pm.
Starters from AED 55, mains from AED 105, desserts from AED 45.
