Negroni Week returns from September 21 to 27 (with a few venues stretching to the 30th), and Abu Dhabi's bar scene has thrown itself into it. The annual campaign, run with Campari, raises money for Slow Food and its push for a fairer, more sustainable food and drink world — which means your evening cocktail comes with a side of doing good.

The big names have pulled out the stops. Novikov on Al Maryah Island is offering five twists including a beetroot-infused signature and a tableside Smoked Cigar Negroni, with single serves at Dhs65 or a three-cocktail flight for Dhs150. Over at The St. Regis Bar, there are six versions — a Sbagliato, a bourbon-led Boulevardier, and stranger things involving sweet potato, blue pea tea and coconut rum — priced at Dhs50 each or three for Dhs120. On September 25, award-winning mixologist Debjani Rudra hosts a special evening there from 7pm to 11pm.

If you like a bit of theatre, Al Hanah Bar at the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri is running five destination-inspired Negronis drawing on Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Middle East and the Caribbean, plus guest takeovers and a masterclass for industry folk on September 23. Cocktails run Dhs65 for one or Dhs110 for two. Pearlage teams up with Rosewood Abu Dhabi for a one-night-only collaboration on September 24 from 8pm, pouring four originals — including a Cherry Negroni, a Moka Negroni, Smoke & Silk and a zero-proof V60 serve — at Dhs48 to Dhs58 each.

Elsewhere, Ilios on Hudayriyat Island pairs three poolside serves (Negroni di Saronno, Avellana and Negroni Tramonto) with tuna nigiri, beef tartare and truffle fries. Hakkasan at Emirates Palace — which holds a Michelin star for its Cantonese food — has a Campari-backed signature line-up nightly from 6.30pm. Black Pearl at Al Raha Beach Resort does the classics plus a smoked version at Dhs50 a glass or Dhs125 for a flight of three. Stars N Bars at Yas Marina leans into its racing setting with The Pit Stop, built on Bulldog Gin, roasted coconut-infused Campari, Martini Rosso, cardamom and toasted coconut. And Sorso at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal offers four takes at Dhs55 each or Dhs110 for all four, with a Negroni Hour on September 26 from 5pm to 6pm.

For travellers in the capital that week, it's a handy cheat sheet: pick a neighbourhood — Al Maryah Island for the upscale stuff, Yas Marina for something livelier — and build an evening around two or three venues. Flight tastings are the smart way to compare serves without overcommitting, and bookings are worth making for the St. Regis guest night and the Perlage one-off.

First published by What's On Dubai.