While microbreweries can often be a hipster nightmare, they are also not without their charms, particularly when they are innovative. And you have to give Craft by Side Hustle credit for being innovative, after all they are the only microbrewery in the Middle East.
So is Craft by Side Hustle any good? Is it worth the drive and is the craft beer any good? Overall I have to say it is pretty good, and here is why….
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The Abu Dhabi Drinking Scene
Drinking in Abu Dhabi is a strange mix of rules and indulgence. Alcohol is legal for non-Muslims but heavily controlled. You cannot just wander into a shop and buy a crate of beer. There are licensed liquor stores tucked away behind anonymous doors where you need a permit to buy anything. Most people just drink in hotel bars or restaurants where alcohol is openly served and fully legal.
Despite the restrictions, there are plenty of bars. Rooftops overlooking the Gulf, sports bars full of expats, cocktail lounges and Irish pubs. The scene is surprisingly vibrant if you know where to go. The caveat though? the UAE is far from a liberal democracy and I mean far. Writing a bad Trip Advisor review, or worse a bad video on a big platform and you can end up not just in trouble, but in prison. I know because I have seen it. I will though very much leave it there.
What is Craft by Side Hustle The ONLY Microbrewery
Craft by Side Hustle is located inside the Galleria Mall on Al Maryah Island. It is part of the Side Hustle bar group, a team originally from Dubai that decided to try something almost impossible in the Gulf. They installed a fully licensed microbrewery on site, making them the only true craft brewery in the entire Middle East and GCC region.
All the beer is brewed, fermented, and served fresh from the tanks on site. You cannot take it away or buy bottles to go. The brewery is small but fully functional, and you can watch the process through glass panels while you drink. The owners wanted to offer something different from the bland imported lagers that dominate the UAE and they have succeeded. It is bold, it is clever, and it lrgelly works. And now Craft by Side Hustle has quickly become a bit of a place to be seen…
The Beer and Cocktails
The beer is the main reason to visit. The Maryah Island IPA is 6.5 percent, bitter with citrus and proper hops. The Corniche Lager is 4.5 percent, light and drinkable all afternoon. The Desert Stout is 7 percent, dark, roasted and surprisingly smooth.
They also make beer cocktails, which actually work. The Tropical Hustle mixes lager with pineapple and lime for something refreshing. The Hop Fashioned combines IPA with bourbon and bitters for a surprisingly strong and smooth drink.
Sample Beer Menu at Side Hustle
Maryah Island IPA 45 AED (12 USD)
Corniche Lager 45 AED (12 USD)
Desert Stout 50 AED (14 USD)
Tropical Hustle 70 AED (19 USD)
Hop Fashioned 80 AED (22 USD)
Everything is brewed in house and served fresh. You cannot get it anywhere else in the Middle East.
The Food at Side Hustle
The food at Side Hustle is proper pub grub with a few clever twists. It is filling, tasty, and pairs perfectly with the beers. Portions are generous enough that you will not leave hungry even after sampling a few pints. Everything is cooked fresh and presented simply, no nonsense, just solid food you want to eat while drinking.
Sample Food Menu
Beef Sliders 55 AED (15 USD)
Buffalo Wings 50 AED (14 USD)
Nachos 60 AED (16 USD)
Classic Cheeseburger 65 AED (17 USD)
Truffle Fries 40 AED (11 USD)
Grilled Chicken Sandwich 60 AED (16 USD)
Spicy Sausage Platter 70 AED (19 USD)
The food is simple but works perfectly. It is the kind of place where you can order a couple of beers, grab a plate of wings or a burger, and settle in for a long session without feeling ripped off.
The Vibe and Cost
Craft by Side Hustle is very Emirati. Expensive, in a hotel, and it does not feel like a pub. That said the bar itself is well laid out, cool, and the crowd is eclectic. People of all classes, races, and jobs mingle freely. On our visit we met a Russian Chechen, a Lebanese guy, and an Iraqi with the same surname as Saddam Hussein. It is a crazy mix but fun.
Cost wise we had food, five beers each, and a few cocktails. Happy hour helped but it still came to around 550 AED 150 USD. Not insane for Abu Dhabi but coming from somewhere cheap like Phnom Penh it stings a bit.
Overall I really liked the place and definitely recommend it if you are passing through the UAE. The beer is excellent, the cocktails are inventive, the food works, and it is genuinely the only craft beer destination of its kind in the Middle East. Therefore one of the best for frankly lack of a better idea….