What happened?
Brass Monkey has confirmed it will open its first Abu Dhabi venue at The Galleria Al Maryah Island in September 2026.
Who is affected?
Residents, visitors and entertainment lovers in Abu Dhabi will soon have access to the popular social gaming destination that is already well established in Dubai.
Why does it matter?
The opening strengthens Abu Dhabi’s growing entertainment and hospitality scene while expanding one of the UAE’s most popular experience-led dining brands into the capital.
Brass Monkey Abu Dhabi is officially set to open this September, giving residents in the capital their first chance to experience the popular entertainment venue without travelling to Dubai. Brass Monkey Hospitality has confirmed that the new destination will open at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, marking the brand’s biggest expansion so far. The venue will combine bowling, arcade games, food, drinks and live entertainment, adding another major attraction to Abu Dhabi’s fast-growing leisure and hospitality sector.
Why is Brass Monkey opening in Abu Dhabi?
After the success of its Dubai locations at Bluewaters and City Walk, Brass Monkey is expanding into Abu Dhabi for the first time.
According to Brass Monkey Hospitality, the move has been part of the company’s long-term growth strategy as demand continues to rise for experience-led entertainment across the UAE.
The company says Abu Dhabi has evolved into one of the region’s leading hospitality destinations, making The Galleria Al Maryah Island a natural choice for its first venue in the capital.
Simon Robinson, Director of Operations and Franchise at Brass Monkey Hospitality, said the expansion reflects growing demand for venues where people can enjoy dining, games and social experiences in one place.
What can visitors expect at the new venue?
The Abu Dhabi venue will follow the same winning formula that has made Brass Monkey popular in Dubai.
Visitors can look forward to:
- Multiple bowling lanes
- Classic and modern arcade games
- VR gaming experiences
- Pool tables
- Live DJs and entertainment
- American-inspired comfort food
- Mexican and Asian-inspired dishes
- A wide selection of beverages
The venue is designed as an adults-only destination for guests aged 21 and above, creating a social atmosphere that combines dining, nightlife and interactive entertainment.
Additional industry reports indicate the Abu Dhabi venue will also feature 12 bowling lanes and a nostalgic design inspired by the 1990s and early 2000s, offering a unique look compared to traditional entertainment centres.
Why The Galleria Al Maryah Island?
The Galleria has become one of Abu Dhabi’s premier lifestyle destinations, bringing together luxury shopping, fine dining, family attractions and entertainment under one roof.
Adding Brass Monkey further strengthens the mall’s growing portfolio of lifestyle experiences.
Over the past few years, Al Maryah Island has transformed into one of the capital’s busiest districts, attracting both residents and international tourists with new restaurants, attractions and premium retail brands.
The arrival of Brass Monkey supports that vision by introducing another entertainment option that extends visitors’ stay and encourages more evening and weekend activity.
How does this benefit Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector?
Experience-led hospitality has become one of the UAE’s fastest-growing trends.
Instead of traditional restaurants, consumers increasingly look for destinations that combine food with activities and live entertainment.
Brass Monkey fits perfectly into this growing market by offering multiple experiences in one venue.
The expansion also supports Abu Dhabi’s broader tourism ambitions by giving visitors another reason to spend time in the capital beyond cultural attractions, beaches and shopping.
For local businesses, new entertainment concepts help increase footfall, create employment opportunities and encourage repeat visits from residents.
Industry experts have also noted that competitive socialising venues—where games, food and nightlife are combined—continue to perform strongly across the GCC as customer preferences shift towards interactive experiences.
More Brass Monkey locations are on the way
The Abu Dhabi opening is not the only project in the pipeline.
Brass Monkey has already confirmed another Dubai venue is planned for Motor City Clubhouse, although an official opening date has not yet been announced.
Beyond the UAE, the hospitality brand has also been expanding internationally, with operations growing in Egypt and additional regional expansion plans reported in Bahrain.
This reflects the company’s broader ambition to grow across the Middle East as demand for entertainment-driven hospitality continues to increase.
Why It Matters?
The new Brass Monkey venue brings several benefits for UAE residents and visitors:
- Abu Dhabi residents will no longer need to travel to Dubai to experience the popular venue.
- The opening adds another entertainment option for adults looking for social activities beyond traditional restaurants and cafés.
- The expansion supports Abu Dhabi’s growing hospitality and tourism industry.
- Businesses at The Galleria are expected to benefit from increased visitor numbers.
- It highlights the UAE’s continued investment in experience-based leisure destinations.
With more hospitality brands choosing Abu Dhabi for expansion, residents can expect even greater variety in dining and entertainment over the coming years.
FAQs
When is Brass Monkey opening in Abu Dhabi?
The venue is expected to open in September 2026, although the exact launch date has not yet been announced.
Where will Brass Monkey Abu Dhabi be located?
It will open at The Galleria Al Maryah Island.
Is Brass Monkey Abu Dhabi family-friendly?
The venue is designed as an adults-only destination for guests aged 21 and above.
What activities will be available?
Guests can enjoy bowling, arcade games, VR experiences, pool tables, dining, drinks and live DJ entertainment.
Is Brass Monkey opening anywhere else?
Yes. Brass Monkey has also confirmed a new Dubai venue at Motor City Clubhouse, with further details expected in the future.
Brass Monkey’s arrival in Abu Dhabi marks another major addition to the capital’s expanding entertainment scene. By bringing together bowling, gaming, food and nightlife in one destination, the venue is expected to become a popular social hotspot when it opens at The Galleria Al Maryah Island this September. As Abu Dhabi continues to attract new hospitality concepts, residents and visitors can look forward to even more lifestyle experiences across the emirate.
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