The Hangout: Mall of the Emirates is getting a major new entertainment district

If you’re a fan of Mall of the Emirates, there’s something new coming up to look forward to. The shopping destination has just unveiled The Hangout, a new lifestyle and entertainment precinct bringing together dining, play and social experiences. The new space is part of the mall’s five billion dirham transformation and will feature entertainment, dining and social experiences in one location. Over the cooler Dubai months, the destination will expand outdoors through the Mall of the Emirates’ first dedicated F&B courtyard. This landscaped outdoor space will connect to the indoor precinct through fully operable façades, creating a fluid indoor-outdoor environment for al fresco dining, gatherings and events. Part of the transformation includes a dedicated climate-controlled outdoor pedestrian connection to New Covent Garden Theatre and Fashion Dome. No date for the opening has been announced but The Hangout will open in phases through 2026 into early 2027 – so, it’s not too long of a wait. At the heart of The Hangout are four distinct entertainment concepts: Activate, SOCO, Explorers, and a childhood favourite, Magic Planet. Activate, the world’s first active gaming experience will open in October 2026. It’s a high-energy, technology-powered concept that blends physical activity with immersive gameplay across 12 light-up rooms and more than 50 interactive challenges. SOCO will also open in 2026. The 2,700sqm social entertainment destination will feature a curated dining space plus bowling, AR darts, and karaoke.