Ladies' nights in Abu Dhabi: where the offer includes dinner

Abu Dhabi runs a quieter, more food-led version of the region's ladies' night, and for a certain kind of evening it is the better one.

Loca is the archetype of the capital's approach: the offer pairs beverages with an actual starter and main — tostada salad, tacos or fajitas — rather than expecting you to drink on an empty stomach and eat afterwards. Ornina Lounge runs unlimited house beverages alongside dinner on Wednesdays, which is the same idea with the volume turned up.

The geography is spread out in a way Dubai's is not. Offers run on Yas Island, on Al Maryah, along the Corniche and out at the Saadiyat hotels, and the drive between clusters is real — twenty-five minutes between two venues is normal here. Pick a district for the evening rather than a venue.

What to check before you go, in order of how often it catches people out: the night, because Wednesday and Thursday are both used here and venues switch; the window, usually three hours and usually ending earlier than the venue does; and whether the food is included or discounted, which is the whole difference between a Loca-style offer and a drinks-only one.

And the practical note for anyone coming from Dubai: the E11 back is fine at midnight and unpleasant at 2am on a Friday. The drive is ninety minutes when it goes well.