Through check to separate tickets
 

Flying SFO-DXB in EK F arrivieng 7:30pm, connecting on separate ticket to ET DXB-ADD 4:30am, is there any chance EK will tag my bag to ADD at SFO or is there an arrivals lounge I can hang out at? Just trying to avoid sitting landside from 7:30 until the ET counters open.

EK could accept (but also refuse) the bag for check through onto ET but you still need to visit the transfer desk at T-4 to ensure the bag ID is added to the manifest.

There is no arrival lounge. But for a long layover like this, either head into town for a dinner/cruise, or book a room in a hotel nearby.