Rooftop 18 Degrees in Abu Dhabi

18 Degrees: a drink in the leaning tower

In the heart of Capital Gate

Capital Gate, the glass tower that marks the ADNEC exhibition centre, owes its silhouette to an 18-degree incline, which gave the bar its name. The bar occupies the 18th floor of the Andaz hotel, at the level of the tower's bend. It combines a contemporary lounge with an open-air terrace, lined with glass balustrades and potted olive trees, set against the great triangular lattice of the façade. The view takes in the city and the water; at sunset, the sky blazes in the tower's reflections.

Signature cocktails and a neighbouring brasserie

The cocktail list plays with unexpected pairings: a highball with whisky and Japanese citrus, a floral tequila paloma, a mezcal and pickled beetroot sour, a bourbon with dates and saffron. Expect to pay 65 to 75 dirhams, and 50 dirhams for the alcohol-free creations, which draw on regional flavours such as dates or rooibos tea, with bites to nibble such as bao or tempura prawns. On the same floor, the Cyan brasserie serves cuisine that combines French roots and Middle Eastern flavours, in a room with huge slanted windows; you can dine there before moving on to the bar.

Practical information

Open all year round, every day from 4pm to 1am. Reservations online or on +971 50 765 6435; you can also come without booking. Abu Dhabi has no metro: come by taxi or car via Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, as the tower stands within the ADNEC grounds, near the Aloft hotel.