Our guide to women-only events in Dubai and the UAE
The UAE has one of the busiest social calendars for women anywhere in the region. On any given week there are ladies’ nights in hotel bars, pool days reserved for women, networking breakfasts for founders, wellness mornings, book clubs and community meetups. This page brings the dated ones together, so you can see at a glance what is on and book directly with the organiser.
The listing at the top of the page shows ladies’ nights, ladies’ days, women-only events and women’s networking and community gatherings. Use the filters (When, Type, Emirate, Price) to narrow things down to tonight, this weekend or a particular emirate. Finished events drop off automatically, so everything you see is still to come. Below, we share how each kind of event usually works and what we have learned from going to them.
How ladies’ nights work
Ladies’ night is a long-standing Dubai tradition. Bars, lounges and restaurants offer women complimentary drinks for a set window, often two to three hours, or a fixed package of drinks and bites for a small fee. They traditionally run midweek, with Tuesday and Wednesday the classic nights, although you will find them on most evenings somewhere in the city.
The details vary a lot from venue to venue. Some include a set number of drinks, some offer free-flowing house beverages, and some pair the drinks with a sharing menu or a discount on food. Men are usually welcome in the same venue but pay standard prices. Always read the small print on the event page: start and end times, which drinks are included and whether you need to book a table in advance.
Ladies’ nights that include alcohol are only held in licensed venues, and the legal drinking age is 21. Bring an original ID such as your passport or Emirates ID, as door staff may check. Most venues also offer mocktails, and plenty of ladies’ nights are just as much fun without alcohol.
Ladies’ days, brunches and pool clubs
Ladies’ days are the daytime cousin of ladies’ nights. Beach clubs, hotel pools and rooftop venues set aside a day or an afternoon when women get free or discounted entry, sometimes with a drink, a lunch dish or a sunbed included. They are a relaxed way to spend a day off, especially in the cooler months from October to April, when lying by the pool is a pleasure rather than an endurance test.
Many brunches also run ladies’ packages or women’s brunch editions with a lower price for female guests. If you enjoy a long weekend lunch, our dinner and brunch page lists the latest brunches across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and our offers page collects deals that change through the season.
Networking, founders and professional communities
Women’s networking in the UAE is lively and welcoming to newcomers. Typical formats include breakfast meetups, panel talks, female founder evenings, mentoring circles and larger women in business conferences. Some groups are run by membership communities that meet monthly, while others are one-off events hosted by co-working spaces, business hubs or hotels.
If you are new to the country, these events are one of the quickest ways to build a circle of friends and contacts. Bring business cards or have your LinkedIn profile ready, arrive a little early when the room is quieter, and do not be shy about introducing yourself. For mixed events, our business networking page covers meetups and conferences open to everyone, and our workshops page lists classes and skills sessions.
Wellness, fitness and sport
Women-only wellness events are some of the most popular on our pages. Look out for yoga and breathwork sessions, sound baths, spa days, run clubs, padel tournaments and fitness challenges designed for women. Many gyms and studios also run dedicated women’s classes, and several have women-only areas or hours.
Outdoor sessions are at their best from late October to April, when early mornings on the beach or in the park are comfortable. In summer, the same communities move indoors to studios, hotel spas and air-conditioned courts. If you are new to a sport, check whether an event says it is beginner-friendly before booking.
Women-only clubs, beaches and spaces
Beyond dated events, the UAE has a number of long-standing places designed for women. Dubai Ladies Club in Jumeirah, the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and the Sharjah Ladies Club offer women-only facilities such as beaches, pools, gyms, spas and classes, usually through membership or day passes. Several public beaches and parks in the UAE also set aside ladies’ days or women and family areas, so check the venue’s own information before you go, as arrangements can change.
Getting around is straightforward too. Every Dubai Metro train has a cabin reserved for women and children, and public buses have a section at the front for women. Dubai Taxi runs ladies’ and family taxis with female drivers, recognisable by their pink roofs, which you can book through the official RTA channels. In Sharjah, alcohol is not permitted, so women’s events there focus on culture, wellness, shopping and community gatherings.
What to wear and local etiquette
Dress codes depend on the setting. Hotel bars and lounges usually ask for smart casual or chic evening wear, and some venues turn away flip-flops, sportswear or beachwear after dark. Beach clubs and pool days are relaxed, but cover up with a dress or kaftan when you walk through a hotel lobby or leave the pool area.
For networking events, business casual is the safe choice. In malls, cultural sites and public places, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is appreciated. During Ramadan, venues often adjust their timings and some events pause or change format, so double-check before heading out.
Booking and getting home safely
Most events on this page link straight to the organiser or an official ticketing partner. Popular ladies’ nights and pool days fill up on busy weeks, so reserving a table or a sunbed in advance is wise, especially on public holidays and long weekends. Some events are free with registration, while others ask for a deposit that is redeemable against food and drink.
The UAE has a strict zero-tolerance policy on drink driving, so plan your journey home before you go. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and the Metro are all easy options, and many venues will happily call a taxi for you. Going with friends is half the fun anyway.
Emirati Women’s Day, International Women’s Day and seasonal highlights
Two dates are especially busy. International Women’s Day on 8 March usually brings talks, panels, brunches and wellness events across the country, and Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August celebrates the achievements of women in the UAE with community and cultural events. The cooler months from October to April are peak season for outdoor ladies’ days, markets and fitness challenges.
Looking for more ideas? Browse what’s on across the UAE, check nightlife for the wider bar and club scene, or see new to the UAE if you have just arrived. Hosting a ladies’ night, a women’s networking group or a wellness session? Submit an event and we will add it once we have checked the details.