12 Abu Dhabi Formula One after parties

Amber Lounge
For those into their RnB, UK artist Jay Sean will be performing not once but twice here over the F1 weekend. He’s the first Asian artist to have a Billboard number one and has now sold over 18 million songs. He’ll be headlining two after parties at the Amber Lounge, which is launching its Extravaganza concept of live shows across the night, with dancers, a saxophonist, a drummer and international DJs – which is expected to be packed with VIPs and celebs. Want proof? Since the venue opened in 2013, Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Prince Harry and David Beckham have all enjoyed the after-race activities.
Those looking to enjoy the complete Amber Lounge Experience can watch the racing trackside from the Amber Lounge Celebrity Yacht, too. Which is, frankly, an essential part of the VIP experience. It’s here there’s a meet and greet with the F1 drivers, live DJ sets, gourmet buffets and unlimited drinks are signature elements on board the party boat.
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Yas Links Golf Club
Contact:

Celeb spotting

Podium Lounge Trackside After-Party
Now in its fourth year, this after party is traditionally a celeb haunt so make sure you’re dressed for the red carpet. The venue is directly above the track so it’s great for race fans to get that perfect F1 Instagram snap. Stars of the racing community will be in attendance, too, so this is very much the place-to-be for die-hard motor racing fans to grab a glimpse of the sport’s insiders. The resident DJs will be blasting the tunes (because what’s a party without music, right?), with the music varying from night-to-night. It’s basically dance on Friday, glamour and style Saturday and hip-hop on Sunday.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Rush at Yas Viceroy
Contact: www.podiumlounge.com/ae/

Mix it up

Iris Yas Island
Three nights, three very different concepts at Iris, Yas Island. International house music legend, Steve Lawler kicks off the weekend on Thursday from 11pm before passing the baton over to Turkish DJ Mahmut Orhan for a sunset session on the Friday in support of electronic music duo HVOB.
On Saturday, the club hosts the White Dubai Experience – in which the Meydan-based club brings its signature rooftop party to the capital. On Sunday, Nic Fanciulli closes the weekend out. Best of all? The opening hours are extended until 5am.
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Yas Marina, Building 1
Contact: +971 55 160 5636

All day party

Incredible Sin Grand Prix Yacht Party
Kick off the weekend in style with this DJ-filled line-up. Brandon Block and Alex P are among the big names revving up the F1 weekend. Your ticket gets you entrance to the boat party with an unlimited bar and canapes. Its line-up of DJs includes the one and only (we think that works) Dane Bowers – who has just taken up a Dubai residency at The Black Lion. Plus, you get entry to the F1 qualifiers, where the Chemical Brothers will be rocking the stage later that night, then you’re off to the after-after party on Yas Island for the legendary Mr Block on the decks. Get plenty of sleep the night before because you won’t be getting any here! One ticket gets you access to the qualifying and three parties.
When: Friday 25 November 12pm-3am
Where: Yacht Party
Contact: +971 56 895 7532

Drake yo

F1 After Party at VIP Room
It looks like is one of the places to be this weekend for music fans, celeb spotters and general hangers on. None other than Drake is headlining the F1 bash on the Saturday before hosting the after-race party with Rihanna’s brother, MC Rorrey Fenty, on the Sunday. The Saturday gig is expected to be the one that’s really going off in style, though, whetting everyone’s appetite for the main event the following day. Drake performed to a sell-out crowd in the region last year and he will be the hottest ticket in town this weekend. Want more? Paris Hilton will be there on Friday night to kick the weekend off in style.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Above Cipriani, 3rd floor, Building 1, Yas Marina
Contact: +971 52 881 8888

Open air

Beats on the Beach
Sean Paul, UK rap duo Krept and Konan, MC Travis Scott and Nancy Ajram are the headline acts for this three-day festival within a festival, which also includes plenty of local acts and regional sounds for a genuine Yas Island mash-up. It’s free to get in – woo-hoo! – but you need a pass to gain entry into the venue itself. Great open-air venue, too.
When: Thursday-Saturday
Where: Lagoon Beach, Abu Dhabi Corniche
Contact: 

Mental, mate

MAD on Yas Island
As if one dose of Sean Paul wasn’t enough for a weekend, he’s back performing again at MAD! The venue has partnered with event organisers Flash to bring music fans an extra treat over the three days. Sean Paul will be joined by Rita Ora, Future, T-Pain and Travis Scott – who will also be at Beats on the Beach. T-Pain will perform on the Thursday, Sean Paul and Rita Ora on the Friday, Travis Scott on the Saturday and Future on the final Sunday. What could be better than that, we hear you ask? How about free entry for ladies! Lads, you’ve got to pay, but it’s cheaper than most parties and you get two drinks included too.
When: Thursday-Sunday
Where: Mad, YAS island
Contact: 055 834 6262

Refined dining

Roberto’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix After Party
A bit of the F1 glamour is coming to Al Maryah Island as Roberto’s hosts a red carpet event for people who haven’t (yet) migrated to Yas Island. Held over two days and beginning each night at 7pm, diners can tuck into incredible Italian food before DJ Dimi and DJ Ollie kick things into a much higher gear.
When: Thursday and Friday
Where: Roberto’s, Galleria Mall
Contact: +9712 627 9009

And of course…
Topping the Yasalam Concerts

Pitbull
When: Thursday
The most recent addition to lineup will be opening the weekend up – a spot previously filled with Arab talent. The “Timber” singer adds the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to his sporting CV, which has also seen his tune “We Are One” named official song of the 2014 World Cup. While no footballs will be booted around, his commercial hits ought to keep fans entertained. So grab somebody and tell them “hey!”

Chemical Brothers
When: Friday
These guys have been around since the late 1980s but have managed to remain relevant – a point they proved with their latest album, Born in the Echoes, which went straight to the top of the charts in 2015. They love the big stage, too, having toured sell-out arenas around the world and headlined Glastonbury in the UK. They should set the tone for a memorable weekend.

Lionel Richie
When: Saturday
Who doesn’t like a bit of Lionel? The legendary RnB star will have the crowds dancing on the ceiling on the Saturday night. The “All Night Long” icon has seen somewhat of a career resurgence in recent years, which has included playing to 120,000 people at Glastonbury in the UK. Plus, if you’re a fan of local music, get to the gig in time to see upcoming Dubai-based band Vandalye, who were handpicked by Mr Richie to be his warm up act.

Rihanna
When: Sunday
The Barbadian songstress will be going “work” – see what we did there? – on the final night of the weekend, which is forming part of her Anti World Tour. With 59 million albums sold worldwide, her back catalogue of hits makes her one of the biggest ever Yasalam draws. She is in a straight fight with Drake, too, although there’s a chance she’ll be crossing paths with the singer – her brother is hosting him at VIP Room.
Where: Du Arena, Yas Marina
How to get in: A Grandstand ticket grants access
Contact: +9712 659 9800

Where: Du Arena, Yas Marina
How to get in: A Grandstand ticket grants access
Contact: +9712 659 9800