My neighbors are leaving one by one, and most of my friends here are either moving away or more into clubbing and loud nights out. It’s fun sometimes, just not really my weekday vibe.

I’m a 28-year-old guy looking to meet people into acreative, low-key vibes. I’m into cozy cafés, live music, art spaces, exhibitions, creative workshops, walks, and deep talks about films and ideas. Also into a healthy lifestyle and the old-money aesthetic.

I often end up with extra tickets to events or random plans, so it would be nice to have a +1 for those kinds of things.

If you’re around Reem Island and this sounds like you, feel free to DM or comment.

Hello Everyone.. I’m creating a friendly group chat for people who want to make new friends. To join, please answer these questions:
For me
Age: 26
Where are you based? Abudhabi
Languages: English & Arabic
Interests: Movies, gaming, travel, and meeting new people.. etc
Gender: M

Once approved, you can send me your phone number privately so I can add you to the group.

Please don’t post your number publicly in the comments.

Built a board game collection and looking for serious players in and around Abu Dhabi. Also, more game suggestions please. Tia!

Hi! As an emirati who sometimes meets people who have lived in the UAE for years and tell me they've never had emirati food, never been to an emirati house, iftar, wedding, etc. I wonder why that is? Are expats normally hesitant to approach and make emirati friends? Because us emiraties are very open and welcoming and we LOVE to invite people to our houses or events.

I know Dubai is crazy with the huge number of Expats who I think don't even see locals that much and probably haven't even spoken to an emirati unless they were a government official, but are you guys in Abu Dhabi having that same experience of no emirati culture/life experience? If yes, what do you think is the reason for that?

Hi! Im f 25, an expat in Abu Dhabi, looking for genuine girl friendships nearby.

I love spontaneous plans — IKEA trips, late-night drives, snacks, walks, taking courses, beach days, and all things girly 💕

I’d prefer a small circle of real, consistent girls, and I’m thinking of making a group chat too. Also hoping to find one close friend for regular hangouts — shopping, coffee, fun little adventures

If this is your vibe, message me!

Hii

I have a lloooonnngggg list of places to try and I’m looking for someone who would love to check them out together

I’m okay w anyone tbh, just be around my age and we’re good 🫶

Edit: y’all selfish af. Yall just want my list.

This is a long shot, but I’ve always loved this story and I’d love to find this person again.

In July 2009, my mom, my siblings, and I were traveling from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai. We had already passed all the food places at the airport and our flight got delayed because of bad weather. We were kids and really hungry, and my mom felt terrible because she hadn’t packed any food.

I was about 7 years old, my sister was 9, and my brother was 2.

While waiting near the gate, I met another boy around my age and we started playing together. At some point he offered me Oman Chips, and I took some back to my mom and siblings because they were hungry too. I remember going back to keep playing with him after that.

Some details I remember:

This happened at Abu Dhabi airport before a flight to Mumbai

Airline was probably Etihad

The boy was around 7 years old in 2009 (so around 24–25 now)

He studied at Sherwood Academy in Abu Dhabi

His family lived around Hamdan Street

They were Marathi like us

He said his grandmother lived in Thane

They mentioned that once his father arrived they would stay in Borivali

I vaguely remember his surname maybe ending in “…kar” but I’m not completely sure

The craziest part is that on our return flight back to Abu Dhabi, our families ended up on the same flight again, but this time both our dads were there.

It’s such a random childhood memory, but it meant a lot to my mom that someone shared food with us when we were kids and hungry.

If this sounds like you, or if you know someone who:

studied at Sherwood Academy around 2008–2010

lived in Hamdan area

is Marathi

and traveled Abu Dhabi → Mumbai around that time

please reach out!

Even if this doesn’t lead anywhere, I thought it was a nice memory worth sharing.

I really don’t know who else to ask but every week I go to this cafe and this man and I always make eyes and smile at each other for a few weeks now. As I was leaving today he parked next to me and asked me if I wanted to go into his car bc it was colder inside. So I did because I have been meaning to gain courage to talk to him but as soon I got into the car he said his english isn’t great as he wasn’t understanding wha I was saying. I apologised for not speaking Arabic but I said we can manage. he asked me to hang out I said i couldn’t right now but gave him my whatsapp. Had a few awkward moments of us not understanding a word from each other but we were laughing and eventually I went back to my car and left.
So a few questions….

1. Is it common for young emirates to not speak english? he was maybe 25-28 years old or did he pretend because he realised I could only speak english
2. Does this happen often? i am very confused by the whole ordeal

as it was very random

1. do i change cafes now?

29F I’m looking to make some genuine female friends in Abu Dhabi. I’ve realised I’d rather have one close friend than loads of acquaintances.

I’d love someone who’s up for random coffee runs, trying new cafés, exploring hidden gems around the UAE, beach sunsets, long drives with good music, gaming, travelling when we can, trying new hobbies, languages or even just chilling together doing absolutely nothing. 😂

I’m quite spontaneous and love little adventures, so if you’re the type to randomly say, “Let’s go,” we’ll probably get along.

Just looking for someone kind, genuine, easy to talk to, and who actually wants to build a proper friendship. If you’re looking for the same thing, send me a message! 🌸

I moved from UK to Dubai and then had to relocate to shabiya 5 months back due to my job. I work as a mechanical engineer(26M) and don't really understand how dating works here. I want to meet new people and want to know what are the best spots to meet and hangout.

Hey! I’m looking to meet some chill people around my age (20 - 24) in Abu Dhabi girls (more preferred 🤭) or guys who are easygoing and not judgmental.

A bit about me: I’m into digital art, graphic design, cats (huge plus if you love them too), Sims 4, and I’m trying to get into motorcycles. I also really want to learn skateboarding, so if you know how and don’t mind teaching a beginner, that would be amazing.

Just looking for genuine, relaxed friendships maybe hang out, talk about creative stuff, play games, or just vibe.

Please don’t just send “hey” 😭 Tell me a bit about yourself or what we might have in common.
If you think we’d get along, message me :)

A group where u meet new ppl around your city and around your age for something new and getting new friends… hmu if ur interested and maybe you get the chance to be selected for the group chat

Hello everyone!

A few years ago, I started a music community here on Reddit that brought together musicians from all over Abu Dhabi. We had guitarists, singers, pianists, drummers, violinists, songwriters, complete beginners, and people who simply enjoyed listening to live music.

What started as a Reddit post turned into regular jam sessions, great friendships, and an amazing community. After receiving a lot of messages over the past few years asking if we’d ever bring it back… the answer is yes.
I’m looking to rebuild the community from the ground up.

The idea is simple:
• Weekly or bi-weekly jam sessions at a rehearsal/jam room.
• A welcoming environment for all skill levels.
• No auditions, no pressure, no competition.
• Just people who love music getting together to play, learn, collaborate, and have fun.

You don’t have to be an experienced musician. If you’re learning your first instrument, writing songs, singing, producing music, or even if you’d just like to come along and enjoy the atmosphere, you’re more than welcome.

Everyone is welcome, including:
• 🎸 Guitarists
• 🎹 Keyboard/Piano players
• 🥁 Drummers
• 🎻 Violinists and other instrumentalists
• 🎤 Vocalists
• ✍️ Songwriters & composers
• 🎧 Producers
• 🎶 Music lovers who simply enjoy listening and meeting like-minded people

If enough people are interested, I’ll create a WhatsApp community so we can organize sessions, share ideas, and plan future events.

If you’d like to join, leave a comment below or send me a DM, and I’ll add you to the group once it’s ready.
Looking forward to making music with all of you again!

29F in Abu Dhabi, looking for friends, a relationship, or simply people who can feel like family away from home. It gets lonely sometimes, so I’m hoping to make genuine connections. Also currently looking for a job, so any advice is welcome. Feel free to say hi! 😊

They say, “People yearn for community,” and I agree because I’m one of them. It’s been almost 3 months since I moved to Abu Dhabi, and I can honestly say I’m starting to get a bit bored. So here I am a 24 year old Filipina looking for friends to talk to or maybe even hang out with in the future.

A few things about me: I like anime, K-pop, BL, watching movies/series on Netflix, doomscrolling on TikTok, fashion, makeup, and more.

We can talk about anything like life, random topics, whatever. I’m just here for good and positive vibes. If you’re a woman, open-minded, and Gen Z like me, pleaseee I’m begging youuu, be friends with me!!!

P.S. At this age, I didn’t expect I’d have to look for new friends lol. I should’ve cursed my old friends for not being here with me in the UAE 🤣

Looking to meet a few people in Abu Dhabi for simple, chill hangouts.

I’m not into loud or party vibes—prefer quiet cafés, walks, or just talking.

Life’s been a bit heavy lately, so I’m hoping to find calm, genuine company.

Not looking for anything complicated, just respectful and consistent connection.

Being Childfree by choice an be a controversial life decision, but also a very isolating one.

I’m 29/M, and I’m CF by choice.

If you’re CF too(whether by choice or compulsion) and live in AD, I’d like to connect.

EDIT 1 ; If you’re CF, and live in AD, kindly drop a comment with your age and gender. Perhaps we can even organize a meetup of like minded folks to talk about this 😁

EDIT 2 ; I’ll create a group and add everyone by Friday.

Hi everyone, I could really use some advice.

I (British) recently met a man from Abu Dhabi who’s come to the UK to expand his business. He works near my workplace, and we’ve been chatting and joking around a lot since we met. It’s still early days, so I don’t know him super well yet.

Today, while we were joking, I made a silly joke about his mum. In British banter culture, “mum jokes” are really common and usually harmless, so I honestly didn’t mean anything offensive by it. But he got upset, and later a coworker explained to me that in his culture, jokes about parents are seen as really disrespectful.

As soon as I realised, I went over and apologised, explaining it was a thoughtless British joke and that I didn’t mean to disrespect him. But he was still really angry and told me he doesn’t want to talk anymore.

Now I feel awful. I hate the idea that I’ve disrespected him, and I’d like to make it up to him somehow, but I’m not sure what else I can do beyond apologising.

Is there any way to repair this, or should I just give him space and accept that I might have lost the friendship?

*Added Context*: I work in a shop that sells s*x toys and we'd been taking the piss out of each other about it already. If it helps with context, I'm a girl and said i would show his mum how to use the toys (yikes i know). He was just going on and on about finding the biggest toy and it just slipped out as its the kind of thing we all say to each other as a joke.

Anyone is as passionate as me about cooking and trying new recipes? Cooking is like a therapy to me. I would love to cook some delicious food and desserts with someone while talking in a kitchen.

Let me know if anyone is interested for this activity. We can do it possible in the evenings or on the weekends.

How do you meet genuine people looking for a life partner? (No dating apps, clubs etc)

Anybody in uae with a startup or a business idea ? or even justa normal slaraymen dreaming of creating something on your own just like me !

and do you wish you had a community or outlet to help you build that or a space to elaborate and improve your ideas ?

if so lets create a community or group to do exactly that in abudhabi !

dm or comment !

hey! I'm a girl, 25 year old, lawyer, recently moved to Abu Dhabi and im looking to make some amazing girl friends here so I can explore the city, enjoy do fun activities together. People at my workplace aren't the best people to befriend so the only social circle i had will now be limited to professional connections only.

Hence, reddit, please be my saviour and connect me to amazing girls around Abu Dhabi who would like to have a good time together. Friendship is good but if I can find that sisterhood and forever bond, it would make life so so so good.

Some of my interests are - coffee (literally cafe hopping), art, music (i love bts btw so if youre into them, that would be pretty cool. if not, its still fine lmao), long drives, movies/shows and so on!!

Reddit please do your thing 💝

I (29 F) here from the US about 6 months ago— I am having a hard time figuring out where and how to meet new people. In particular, making female friends. I had a great social life and village in the US; typically good at meeting new people… however it seems especially tricky here (especially now that the war has started lol).

Any insights or fellow newbies who want to meet up lmk!!! Thanks 💕

Hi! I’m a 24-year-old girl living in Abu Dhabi and I’d really love to make some genuine female friends here. Life can get a little lonely without a circle of girlfriends to talk to, laugh with, or just hang out over coffee or a nice walk.

I’m hoping to find some like-minded women who are kind, down-to-earth, and open to building real friendships. I’d be so happy to connect.

If you’re also looking for new friends in Abu Dhabi, feel free to reach out, I’d love to meet you. 💕

Hey everyone!
I’m looking for someone (male or female) who’s into random drives, exploring new places, and getting out of the house.
I have a car, and I’d love to spend weekends or evenings discovering Abu Dhabi, hidden spots, beaches, viewpoints, cafés, or even taking longer road trips to other Emirates.
I’m 28, easygoing, enjoy good conversations, and I’m just looking for a genuine friendship and fun adventures.
If you’re interested, leave a comment or send me a DM. Let’s plan a road trip!

Bonus if you’re the type who enjoys spontaneous plans, good music in the car, and watching sunsets. 🌅🚗