10 brilliant things to do in Riyadh this weekend: October 6 to 8
Cheers to the weekend…
Looking for activities to do with your friends and family? Gear up and grab your crew for a day of fun adventure and activities in Riyadh. From exciting dining destinations to art exhibitions and cultural experiences, here’s our list of ten brilliant things to do this weekend.
Thursday October 6
1. Get your coffee fix at the homegrown Onda Coffee
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This new coffee joint from the Eastern Province has opened in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. It brings a wholesome range of delicious coffees to kickstart your morning right. Pair your cuppa with a scrumptious treat for the most pleasurable experience, or purchase their high-quality bags of ground coffee for home.
Onda Coffee, Diplomatic Quarter (next to Tamimi), Riyadh 12513, Sat to Wed 7.30am to 1am, Thurs 7.30am to 3am & Fri 1.30pm to 3am. @onda.coffee
2. Explore cultures and heritage at KAFD Tourism Day
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Drawing in families, as well as culture and entertainment fans, the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) has organised a Tourism Day in AlWadi. You’ll get to celebrate and learn about all the world’s countries and their various cultures, including sampling each country’s national dishes and immersing in the live art and music performances outdoors.
KAFD Tourism Day, Oct 6, 6pm onwards, AlWadi at KAFD, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519. Get your free tickets here. Children under ten are not required to have a ticket. @kafd
3. Book a table at Encore for a top chef meal
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If you’ve always wanted to experience a Michelin-starred meal, celebrity guest chef Massimiliano Mascia from two-Michelin starred San Domenico Restaurant in Imola, Italy, is here in Riyadh to deliver a multi-sensorial dining experience at Encore Restaurant. This event highlights Chef Mascia’s reputation for celebrating Italy’s outstanding culinary tradition through full of flavour classics with seasonal colours that are sure to impress. It’s Chef Mascia’s last night in Riyadh, so don’t miss out.
Dinner by Italian Chef Massimiliano Mascia, Oct 6, 7pm onwards (last seating at 11.30pm), Encore Restaurant, Core Social Wellness Club, Diplomatic Quarter, Al Safarat, Riyadh 12512. Tel: 050 801 9750. @encorerestaurants
Friday October 7
4. Brunching at Sadelle’s
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New York brunch institution, Sadelle’s, is now open at Mansard Riyadh hotel. It is an all-day dining concept that transforms from a brunch-centric haven to a power lunch hotspot and a relaxing dinner locale. The menu is all about New York deli classics – from its famed bagels and house-made sticky buns to house-cured salmon, chopped salads, and a decadent egg sandwich. Enjoy these heavenly bites with a cuppa, and you’re good to go.
Sadelle’s, Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, 4248 Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh 13315-6721, daily 11am to 1am (last order at 11.30pm). Tel: 011 829 0929. @radissoncollectionmansard
5. Visit the “Tales of Nostalgia” digital soundscapes exhibition
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Misk Art Institute presents “Tales of Nostalgia”, an exhibition by 12 Saudi and international artists who take us through the ever-shifting landscape of past, present, and future. As our notions of time become ever more complex, so too do the innovative technologies we try to make sense of. The exhibition is both a reflection upon and a conversation about where we are, as a species, in our endless, intertwined relationship with time and technology.
Tales of Nostalgia, until Jan 15, 2023, 4pm to 10pm, Misk Art Institute, Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Arts Hall, Dist, 9346 King Saud Rd, An Namudhajiyah, 4033, Riyadh 12731. @miskartinst
6. Enjoy a day of fun and amusement at Planet X
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You’ll feel like you’re stepping into a whole other world at this state-of-the-art, multi-function entertainment centre. PlanetX doesn’t disappoint with its selection of games and attractions, catering to different age groups, from the young to the young at heart. Think VR games for when you want to escape reality, cracking the code under pressure in the exciting escape rooms, and thrilling rounds of arcade games to keep you entertained all day long. Sounds like the perfect way to spend our Friday evening.
Planet X, The Zone, Gate 2, 3422 Khalifah Ibn Badi, Al Mohammadiyyah, 7326, Riyadh 12364, daily 4pm to midnight. @planetx.sa
Saturday October 8
7. Check out Sotheby’s exhibit at the largest book festival
It’s the last day of the Riyadh International Book Fair. And if you still haven’t been, don’t miss Sotheby’s first exhibit in the Kingdom when you’re there. It showcases a specially curated selection of exceptional books, manuscripts, photographs and objects, including rare pieces of Middle Eastern history. Among the highlights is a monumental, museum-quality World Globe dating to 1840, created by the greatest globe-makers of the day, George and John Cary, and supplied to Jesus College, Oxford University, in the same year. The spectacular Victorian piece measures an impressive 36 inches in diameter, and shows the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina and the pilgrimage port of Jeddah. All of the pieces on view will also be available for private sale.
Riyadh International Book Fair, until Oct 8, 11am to midnight, Riyadh Front. Register here.
8. Catch ‘Amsterdam’, a whimsical whodunnit
The latest film from acclaimed writer/director David O. Russell is a fascinating and richly intricate tale that brilliantly weaves historical fact with fiction for a timely, cinematic experience. Set in the 1930s, it follows three friends who witness a murder and find themselves at the centre of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.
Amsterdam, Comedy / Drama / History, Rating R15, 1h 40min. Book your tickets here.
9. A traditional artistic and cultural immersion experience
Whether you’re looking for cultural immersion or simply to catch a glimpse of local life, HiHome provides a unique and first-hand experience for you to learn about the Kingdom and its people. In this traditional artistic experience, you will learn about Saudi living heritage by studying how Saudis decorated their doors. Then, take part in a live demonstration using the Mixed Media method and decorate your own rendition of a historic door on the piece of wood or canvas provided. The best part is that you can take it home as a souvenir.
Artistic Traditional Experience by HiHome, 4pm to 7pm. Book your spot here. Available for up to 15 people. SAR 345.80 per person. @hihome.sa
10. Spend a night out jamming at Syrup
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One of Riyadh’s most established live music spots, Syrup Lounge is a great place to indulge in soulful tunes. To get the house rocking, be sure to visit on Saturday night from 9pm onwards for Syrup’s Karaoke Night – the perfect opportunity to show off your silky-smooth vocals on stage. So, get your tickets and join in the fun.
Karaoke Night at Syrup Lounge, Oct 8, 9pm to midnight, Syrup Stage, Al Narjis. Book your spot here. The early bird price is SAR75, while the regular price is SAR100 per person. @syrupllc
Images: Instagram / Provided