Author: Monica Bonalto

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Monica Bonalto arrived in Dubai in 2017 with a background in hospitality journalism and quickly became one of the most trusted voices in the UAE's dining and nightlife space. Over seven years on the ground, she has reviewed more than 400 venues across all seven emirates — from the sun-baked beach clubs of JBR and the rooftop terraces of DIFC, to the understated local gems that rarely make it onto tourist lists.Before joining What's Hot in UAE as Nightlife & Dining Editor, Monica contributed to Time Out Dubai, Abu Dhabi Food Festival coverage, and several regional hospitality publications. She has attended every major restaurant opening in Dubai since 2019 and maintains direct relationships with PRs and venue operators across the city — which means the information you read in her guides is always verified, never recycled from a press release.Her specialities are happy hours (she has personally verified every deal on our lists), Friday brunches, and the Northern Emirates' emerging food scene. She is based in DIFC and eats out five times a week. When she says a place is worth your money, it is.Follow Monica's work on Muck Rack, Substack, Vocal, and Medium.

Sunset over a calm coastal bay with a beach, palm trees, roads, and rocky mountains along the shoreline
GOING OUT

Fujairah: The Complete Guide for Residents and Visitors

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Fujairah is the only emirate that sits entirely on the east coast, facing the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf. If you’re planning a visit, this is Fujairah: The Complete Guide to everything you need to know. That geographical fact matters more than it sounds: the water is clearer, the marine life is richer, the landscape is mountainous and dramatic, and the whole feel of the place is different to the west-coast emirates. For Dubai residents, Fujairah is the classic weekend escape — a 1.5–2 hour drive via the E611 through the mountains, and you arrive somewhere that…

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Abu Dhabi Nightlife 2026: Best Clubs, Bars & Nights Out in the Capital

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Abu Dhabi’s nightlife scene is genuinely good — and consistently underestimated by people who assume all the fun happens in Dubai. If you are looking ahead to Abu Dhabi Nightlife 2026, you’ll find the capital has a distinct character to its nights out: a bit more relaxed than Dubai’s VIP-table intensity, with some genuinely world-class venues (WHITE Abu Dhabi remains one of the best clubs in the entire MENA region), and a strong mix of Yas Island energy, Saadiyat Island sophistication, and local favourite bars that have been running for years. If you’re based in Dubai, the drive to Yas…

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What’s On This Weekend in Dubai — 30–31 May 2026

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The Eid Al Adha long weekend is here and Dubai is putting in the work. Whether you’re after a beach club party, a late-night techno set, or a family day out before Global Village closes for summer — this weekend has something worth leaving the house for. We update this page every week with the best events across Dubai. Bookmark it, check it Thursday or Friday morning, and plan accordingly. 🔥 ARTBAT at Be Beach Dubai 📅 Saturday 30 May | 🎟 From AED 300 ARTBAT are one of the biggest names on the global electronic circuit right now —…

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A crowded nightclub with people dancing and socializing under large disco balls and colorful lights.
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Things to Do in Dubai This Weekend

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Updated: 5 August 2026 — covering the weekend of Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August 2026. In this guide, you’ll find the best things to do in Dubai this weekend and beyond. This page is updated regularly with what’s actually happening in Dubai. Not a recycled list of tourist attractions — real events, current deals, and things worth leaving the house for. August in Dubai means one thing above all: Dubai Summer Surprises is in full swing, running right through to 30 August, with mall-wide offers, family entertainment, and bargain dining deals across the city. It’s peak indoor-and-air-conditioned season —…

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