What happened? Majid Al Futtaim has announced The Hangout by Mall of the Emirates, a new lifestyle and entertainment precinct combining four entertainment concepts, 18 F&B experiences and an outdoor courtyard.
Who is affected? Dubai residents, families, visitors and mall-goers will have access to new dining, gaming, play and social experiences as the precinct opens in phases.
Why does it matter? The Hangout forms part of the wider AED 5 billion transformation of Mall of the Emirates, which is adding new retail, dining, wellness, cultural and entertainment spaces.
- Location: Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
- Organisation: Majid Al Futtaim
- Status: Opening in phases through 2026 and early 2027
- Who is affected: Families, residents, visitors and entertainment seekers
- Business impact: Adds new dining, leisure and entertainment options to one of Dubai’s major malls
- What’s next: Activate opens in October 2026, followed by SOCO, Explorers and a new Magic Planet
Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates is adding The Hangout, a new indoor-outdoor destination featuring four entertainment concepts and 18 F&B experiences. Majid Al Futtaim announced the development on October 1, 2026, as part of the mall’s ongoing AED 5 billion transformation.
The new precinct will combine interactive gaming, family entertainment, restaurants and outdoor spaces. It will open in stages, with the first attraction, Activate, scheduled to launch in October 2026.
What is The Hangout at Mall of the Emirates?
The Hangout is a new lifestyle and entertainment precinct being developed within Mall of the Emirates.
Majid Al Futtaim says the destination will bring together entertainment, dining and social spaces under one connected area. It will also introduce the mall’s first dedicated outdoor F&B courtyard, giving visitors an al fresco option during Dubai’s cooler months.
The development will connect indoor and outdoor areas through fully operable façades. A climate-controlled pedestrian route will also link The Hangout with New Covent Garden Theatre and Fashion Dome.
Which entertainment concepts are coming to The Hangout?
Four entertainment concepts are planned, with each offering a different type of experience.
Activate is scheduled to open in October 2026. The interactive gaming venue will feature 12 illuminated rooms and more than 50 challenges combining movement, competition and technology. The experience will be open to guests aged six and above.
SOCO is expected to open in Q4 2026 across 2,700 sq. m. The venue will include bowling, UAE-first simulators, augmented reality darts, karaoke and private VIP party rooms. Food and drinks will also be available within the venue.
Explorers is planned for Q1 2027 and will cover 2,500 sq. m. It will cater to children aged one to 12, with play and learning experiences including suspended net structures, STEM-focused water activities and practical workshops.
Magic Planet will also return in a new format in 2027. The family entertainment brand has been part of the Mall of the Emirates experience for years and will become another major component of The Hangout.
Which restaurants are coming to The Hangout?
The Hangout will feature 18 F&B experiences, according to Majid Al Futtaim’s official announcement.
The line-up includes 12 restaurants, four kiosks and two F&B experiences within the entertainment venues.
Confirmed names include Fatt Pundit, Crunch, Apollo, Asma, Junk Smash Burger, Public Pizzeria, Crystal Jade Noodle Bar and Feels.
The food selection will cover several cuisines, including Indian, Levantine, Italian and Pan-Asian options. More restaurant names are expected to be announced as the precinct develops.
The combination of dining and entertainment means visitors will be able to spend more time in the area rather than visiting only for a particular attraction or restaurant.
What is planned for the outdoor area?
One of the notable additions is the new landscaped outdoor courtyard.
Majid Al Futtaim says it will be the first dedicated F&B courtyard at Mall of the Emirates. The outdoor space is designed for dining, social gatherings and events, with the indoor and outdoor areas connected through operable façades.
For Dubai residents, the timing is particularly relevant as the precinct’s openings extend into the cooler months. The outdoor setting will give restaurants and visitors another way to use the space when temperatures become more comfortable.
The climate-controlled pedestrian connection will also make it easier to move between The Hangout, New Covent Garden Theatre and Fashion Dome.
How does The Hangout fit into the AED 5 billion Mall of the Emirates transformation?
The Hangout is only one part of a much larger redevelopment.
Majid Al Futtaim announced the AED 5 billion Mall of the Emirates transformation in 2025, with plans covering retail, entertainment, dining, wellness, culture and infrastructure.
The wider project includes around 20,000 sq. m of additional retail space and around 100 new stores. It also includes the SEVEN Wellness Club, additional dining areas and the New Covent Garden cultural hub, including a 600-seat theatre.
The transformation also covers improvements to accessibility and mobility, including barrierless parking, road and bridge upgrades and other infrastructure improvements.
Mall of the Emirates, which opened in 2005, already combines retail with attractions such as Ski Dubai and VOX Cinemas. The latest investment expands that mix with more lifestyle and entertainment options.
The Hangout gives Dubai residents and visitors more choices for dining, family activities, gaming and socialising in one destination.
Families will have access to Explorers and the new Magic Planet, while groups can use venues such as Activate and SOCO. The 18 F&B experiences add another reason to visit, while the outdoor courtyard creates a new setting for dining and events.
For Mall of the Emirates, the development is part of a wider shift towards combining retail with entertainment, wellness, culture and food.
The next major opening is Activate in October 2026, followed by SOCO in Q4 2026. Explorers is scheduled for Q1 2027, while the refreshed Magic Planet is expected during 2027.
FAQs
When will The Hangout at Mall of the Emirates open?
The Hangout will open in phases from 2026 into early 2027. Activate is scheduled for October 2026, SOCO for Q4 2026, Explorers for Q1 2027 and Magic Planet for 2027.
How many entertainment concepts will The Hangout have?
The Hangout will feature four entertainment concepts: Activate, SOCO, Explorers and Magic Planet.
How many restaurants and food outlets are planned?
Majid Al Futtaim has confirmed 18 F&B experiences, comprising 12 restaurants, four kiosks and two food experiences incorporated into entertainment venues.
Which restaurants are confirmed?
Confirmed names include Fatt Pundit, Crunch, Apollo, Asma, Junk Smash Burger, Public Pizzeria, Crystal Jade Noodle Bar and Feels. More names are expected to follow.
Is The Hangout part of the Mall of the Emirates redevelopment?
Yes. The Hangout forms part of Majid Al Futtaim’s AED 5 billion transformation of Mall of the Emirates, which also includes new retail, dining, wellness, cultural and infrastructure upgrades.
The Hangout is set to add a new mix of entertainment, dining and outdoor experiences to Mall of the Emirates. With four entertainment concepts and 18 F&B experiences opening in stages, the precinct will become another part of the mall’s wider AED 5 billion transformation.
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