We had a very memorable, chilled-out staycation at Hilton Al Ain. Our day was lined up with siestas in our suite, splashes by the pool, and a delicious lineup of gastronomy at Flavours restaurant and Makani Cafe.

Hilton Al Ain is also renowned for Paco’s, Al Ain’s most happening Tex-Mex bar featuring award-winning live entertainment by a very talented band called “Steel”.

Paco’s turns into a hep night spot after 9 pm, and I really wanted to hang out there. The issue was we were staycationing with our 5 year-old sans any sitter. Thankfully the long day by the pool, and dance-alongs with the lovely Cuban singers at Flavours and Makani Cafe tired out our little one, and she was snoozing on her sofa-bed by 10.

Hubby and I tucked her to sleep, and tiptoed out to Paco’s. I felt like a sneaky teenager all over again!

The band at Paco’s ah-mazing! The 5-person band who go by the name of Steel managed to sway everyone at the bar with crowd-pleasing numbers including ’90s renditions of Ace of Base, Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’, and the more recent ‘All About the Base’ by Meghan Trainor.

Steel is truly a band of entertaining professionals. They have the groove, the move and had people standing up to dance.

I sipped on Pina Colada and clapped along.

We were also served a platter of sticky, salty-sweet chicken wings. Perfect pub grub if you ask me!

Hubby was sweet enough to take over the duty of sneaking up to check on bubby. What a lucky night! She was in perfectly deep slumber in her very comfy hotel bed, and we got to party it out at Paco’s till early dawn.

Not so lucky the next morning though… Our daughter was up, bright-eyed and perky at 7 am, begging to be taken back to the water slide at the pool!

Paco’s is a favorite nightlife hangout joint among Al Ain dwellers. The funky Te-Mex ambiance coupled with an extensive list of cocktails, drinks and Tex-Mex pub-grub is only half the attraction. It’s the crowd-swaying beats of Steel that makes this bar a must-visit for the young at heart.

Paco’s is located on the Ground Floor of Hilton Al Ain (Al Sarooj District, Al Ain). Call 03 7686666 for table reservations (although I doubt you will be doing much sitting, the band will keep you on your feet all night long!).