Abu Dhabi may be the place to be and be seen at the moment – and we don’t have to thank a Manolo Blahnik wearing actress (or four) for that.

Written by Kara Martin

World class events and epic architecture are just two reasons out of a long list on what makes the Emirate such a outstanding city. More and more people are finding a place for themselves here – jobs are plentiful and so is opportunity. But what isn’t plentiful appears to be that ‘quirk factor’; that creative individuality you can find just sitting next to you at the bus stop in other ‘It’ cities ... which is why four years in I still feel like an outsider and more than a little stifled.

For example, a night on the town in Abu Dhabi means guaranteed house music on the decks, specific shoes, guest lists and cheekily named beverages mixed a little too well. Is it too much to ask for a place where I can bop my head to some Nirvana or Crystal Castles? A crowded, crummy room with condensation dripping down the walls where I can show up in Vans (or no shoes at all) and still get in? A place where if security says ‘It’s a private party’, it’s because it actually is? A place where real dancing actually takes place instead of mere hair tossing due to impossible-to-walk-in heels.

What about vintage or second hand shops? Wearing a stranger’s hand-me-down, found-in-a-bargain-bin shift dress is nowhere as strange as cruising the malls in the exact same bright yellow fedora, t-shirt, skinny jeans and prison issue shoes as your six other friends? Why do I have to remove my facial piercing before leaving the house if I don’t want people to openly stare and point at me? And why are all the cars on the street white, dark blue, silver or bronze? Is Ladies Night really the coolest club night that could be dreamed up? Why not Dress Like Your Favourite Dead Celebrity Night?

Where are all the young people who actually know who Hanif Kureishi is? I’m looking for someone with a real Mohawk (No, dear, that’s a Fauxhawk). A girl who digs Muay Thai and can ‘bravely’ leave the house without makeup? Where are all the Black Sabbath fans? Are there any other 21 year olds who recycle and/or don’t smoke? I’m pretty sure I can’t be here on my own. Freaks and Geeks, come out, come out, wherever you are ...