12 top things to do in Riyadh this week: June 9 to June 12
There’s just so much to do…
Summer’s here, and we’re moving everything we’re doing indoors. Luckily for us, the capital caters almost perfectly to our needs. From arty things to new restaurants, here are the best things to do in Riyadh this week.
Sunday June 9
Visit Lift Gallery
Lift is self-described as a ‘social art club where art lovers and creative minds can experiment, relax and belong to a community.’ There are plenty of ways to unleash your creative side at Lift, with a regular program of classes that includes fashion illustration, painting, oil portraiture and sketching.
Lift, Al Mathar Ash Shamali, 12332, daily 10pm to 2am. liftksa.com
Grab a burger
Former rapper from Tupac’s iconic group, the Outlawz turned restauranteur Mutah Beale is bringing a new concept to the capital. Setting up shop in Al Olaya, OKLA Riyadh has a small but mighty menu. On the menu, you’ll find multiple versions of the smashed patty with caramelized onions topped with slices of melty American cheese, served with toppings of your choice including lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, and ketchup.
OKLA Riyadh, 2877 Musa Ibn Nusair St, Al Olaya, Mon to Sat 8.30pm to 1am, Closed Sun. @oklaburger1
Sip on the viral cracked drink
View this post on Instagram
If you don’t know much about these cracking drinks, it’s what the name suggests. You actually have to squeeze the cup itself and watch it “crack” to reveal the drink inside. Each cup is coated with melted chocolate sauce which is left to harden before your drink is poured in. Then you can squeeze away and enjoy. The Drip Coffee version is now available for SAR24.
Chestnut Bakery, daily 7am to 11pm, 3213 As Safarjal, Al Mohammadiyyah. @chestnut.sa
Monday June 10
Let it all out at 9Round
You can tell by the name that 9ROUND is a boxing venue. The nine rounds, each lasting three minutes and involving a full-body, rigorous kickboxing workout without interruptions, provide thirty minutes of intense kickboxing. There is even an additional workout during each one-minute break between rounds. The best part? The first workout is on the house.
9Round, Al Takhassousi, Ar Rahmaniyyah, Sun to Thu 6am to 11pm, Fri 3pm to 11pm, Sat 6am to 11pm. 9round.sa
Catch Bad Boys Ride or Die at the cinemas
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence star in Columbia Pictures BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE. Photo by: Frank Masi
Book yourself a power lunch
No time for a leisurely lunch? Head to Il Baretto for a speedy lunch serving authentic Italian cuisine. You can choose two courses from a comprehensive range of starters, pasta, risottos and mains. Plus, it’s all served within 45 minutes to cater to those on the go. The business lunch menu changes weekly, so you can keep returning for more.
Il Baretto, King Abdullah Financial District, Al Malqa, Riyadh 13521. Il Baretto’s Business Lunch, SAR150 per person for two courses without drinks, Sun to Thurs 12.30pm to 4pm. Tel: 9200 12508. @ilbarettosa
Tuesday June 11
Your mission is to escape
Race against time, test your mind, teamwork and instincts at Escape Mission. It is currently home to three themes. The Joker will see you be transported to Gotham City, tasked with saving the city from destruction, while The Lab of Dr. Fizz requires you to discover a secret blood elixir set in a laboratory of a missing biologist Dr. Fizz. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, the Game of Thrones could be just the ticket for you, where you’ll be a hero trying to save the kingdom.
Escape Mission, Dhahrat Laban, Riyadh 12565, Sat to Wed 4pm to midnight, Thu to Fri 5pm to 1am. @escapemissionsa
For those caffeine needs…
Lavazza Coffee Design had us at hello, thanks in part to its contemporary design and chic Milanese interior, from the decadent, rich blues of the furnishings to the circular coffee bar that sits pretty within the vibrant culinary enclave of Laysen Valley.
Lavazza Coffee Design, Laysen Valley, Salem Bin Abi Baker Shikhan St., Building 30, Riyadh. @lavazzasaudi
WWE Experience at BLVD City
Wrestling fans can check out the WWE Experience, where you’ll find yourself immersed in a variety of themed rooms, each telling a unique story through historical photos, and a life-sized wrestling ring. There will also be a dedicated area paying homage to The Undertaker. Stepping into this section feels like entering a graveyard-themed sanctuary dedicated to the iconic wrestler.
WWE Experience, BLVD City, 5pm to midnight. The ticket starts from SAR75 and can be purchased here. @riyadhseason
Wednesday June 12
Candlelight: Chopin’s Best Works
The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh will be awash with hundreds of flameless candles as a Candlelight tribute to Chopin comes to town. You’ll hear 65 minutes of his works live, from ‘Nocturne in C sharp minor op. Posthumous’ and ‘Polonaise op. 44’ to ‘Fantaisie-Impromptu op. 66’ and ‘Scherzo n. 2 op. 31’, with talented pianist Aldo Dotto tinkling the ivories during the concert. Pretty magical sounding, huh? You can even delight in a three-course dinner experience by the beautiful indoor pool after the candlelight concert at an additional SAR350 per person.
Candlelight: Chopin’s Best Works, June 12, 6.30pm & 8.30pm, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. Tickets are priced at SAR375 for Zone A, SAR325 for Zone B & SAR275 for Zone C, and they can be purchased here. For eight years and above, and those below 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Bowl a strike
It’s a no-frills, old-school pin smashing at Saudi Arabia’s largest bowling alley. You’ll feel like you have taken a step back in time upon entering Universal Bowling Centre. The industrial warehouse-styled space might not win quite so many style points, but with 30 lanes, table tennis, arcade games, pool tables, PlayStation, and Dunkin’ Donuts all under one roof, what’s there not to love?
Universal Bowling Centre, Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Ar Rafiah, Riyadh 12752, daily 4pm to 1.30am. Sar29 per person per game of bowling. Tel: 050 526 9788. ubc-riyadh.com
Bring the salon to your living room
Fancy setting up a spa in the comfort of your own living room? If you’d rather ditch the day spa in favour of your humble abode, a tap of your iPhone will bring one of Reva Luxury Home Spa’s therapists to your home – and they’ll bring the table. The signature Reva Detox uses techniques to alleviate tension and pummel away toxins in the muscles.
Reva Luxury Home Spa, Tel: 050 630 1100. @reva.ksa