Newcomers unite to get a feel for the city, from checking out the nightlife to indulging in a spot of desert drumming. Also organises small-scale events for the very new and overwhelmed

Meetings tend to take place at new coffee joints around Dubai, and they’ve even had a professional barista teach them how to prepare the perfect espresso

Ladies from 40 different nationalities find friendship at this club, founded 40 years ago for women whose husbands had joined the oil industry (and thus was originally branded ‘The Petroleum Wives Club’

If you’re into your flora and fauna and want to meet like-minded types, why not join this group of environment fans?

If you like a bit of adventure, this is the group to join. Shunning AC-happy malls for some of the UAE’s more natural surroundings, this lot like pitching tents, scrambling over rocks and all sorts of other energetic things that beat going shopping every weekend

Raises money for charities such as the Dubai Autism Centre and the Riding for the Disabled Association of Dubai

Meets around the Meadows area. Whether you know your wargames (think PanzerBlitz and Twilight Struggle, enjoy a good Eurogame (Powergrid or Settlers of Catan) or know nothing about any of this but fancy finding out, the group welcomes everyone

The Friends of Cancer Patients charity raises money, organises awareness campaigns and supports cancer patients and their families

This group has a fully equipped nursery room hosted by a qualified nursery nurse

Organising daily, weekly and evening girly outings, from a night down the pub to hop on/hop off trips aboard the metro

Raises money to fund support boat The Flying Angel, which offers counselling and facilities to lonely, isolated seafarers off the coast of Fujairah

This informal group of movie lovers takes regular trips to the cinema, sometimes enjoying a post-film discussion afterwards

Locates free medical care for children in the Middle East who cannot access specialised treatment

Power Buggies workout is specially designed to enable mums and new mums to exercise with their babies

Holding meaningful discussions on selected topics (advertised on the websitein a relaxed and friendly atmosphere

These hubbly bubbly lovers boldly go wherever there is shisha, gathering to relax, chat and puff the night away

Use this networking website to plug into Dubai’s social scene online before hitting the town. The group organises outings from bowling to en-masse painting sessions

Dubai This sushi-loving lot like seeking out hidden gems, as well as the more well-known sushi dens in Dubai

A teenage non-profit group that spreads environmental awareness and works with the elderly, the disabled and homeless shelters

This community of gamers insists it is more about playing card games than dressing up (boo!. Meeting at the Rydges Plaza Hotel in Satwa for bi-weekly tournaments, a group of 60 ‘wizards’ plays Magic: The Gathering, a fantasy card game