Abu Dhabi is actually a nice spot for some nightlife if you are in the Middle East. Many of the countries in the region are ultra-conservative and don't have clubs or bars, but the United Arab Emirates is a progressive nation that has adopted many ideals of modernity. Most of the better hotels in the city will have their own restaurant and or bar. The only downside to this is that they can charge a lot of money for their drinks. Often times the visitors will feel more comfortable just staying in their hotel, and so they agree to pay these prices. However, you don't have to stay in. There are quite a bit of nightclubs and bars in the city, and there is normally a dress code. This is just like a dress code in the United States. You can't get in with shorts, sandals, or jeans. The idea of going out is that you are going to dress well. Some clubs even require collared shirts. The bars and clubs will be open until at least 1 a.m., but some do stay open until around 3 a.m. The busiest nights of the week in Abu Dhabi are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. There is a happy hour every day however. There are a lot of bars that show sports games and create an atmosphere similar to that of a sports bar back home in the U.S.