11 amazing things to do in Riyadh this weekend: June 20 to 22
Cheers to the weekend…
Can’t decide what to do this weekend? While it’s never a bad idea to secure a booking at one of the best restaurants in the capital, raving it out all night, or even taking part in an art workshop, we’re always on the lookout for new, exciting pop-ups, openings and events.
Here are 11 amazing things to do in Riyadh this weekend.
Thursday June 20
Grab a sarnie at Noho Deli
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We have three words for you: Rueben pastrami sandwich. And this new spot in Riyadh is taking sarnies to new heights. Noho Deli is one of those if-you-know-you-know kind of street food places, and you can find it serving its epic subs in the Al Aqiq district. Other indulgent fillings on the menu include roast beef, smoked turkey, and grilled chicken pesto. The homemade beetroot chips are another solid choice. Eat in and enjoy the people-watching or grab a bag to go along with one of the interesting salads and smoothies for a light dinner.
Noho Deli, Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 12341, daily 5pm to 1am. @nohodeli
Test your skills at an escape room
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Looking for a fun indoor activity? The concept at Escape The Room is simple: You choose a room, enter and then you’ve got 60 minutes to try and figure out the way out. Designed for small groups, this is the ultimate test of your logical and creative thinking, with themed rooms available to book, including ‘Mafia Kingdom,’ ‘The Prison,’ and ‘Saw 2.’ Everyone can play, but it’s recommended for players aged 12 and above. Games for two starts from SAR400.
Escape The Room, Al Ghadir, Exit 5 – King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 10.30am to 2.30am daily, and Prince Muhammad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13511, 1pm to 1.30am daily. Tel: 050 809 9911. @escapetheroomsa
A side of entertainment while dining
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Experience the ultimate party vibes every Thursday at chi Spacca and enjoy the lively ambience as a trio live band fills the air with banging tunes, starting from 8pm. The BBQ concept offers a premium selection of meat cuts, from briskets to wet-aged Australian Angus. There’s also a summer set menu, where you can tuck into signatures like cheesy Focaccia di Recco and juicy flank steaks.
Chi Spacca, Via Riyadh, Sun to Thurs 6pm to midnight, Fri & Sat 1pm to midnight. @chispacca.sa
Party it up at Beast House
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The countdown to the weekend has officially begun… and tonight at Beast House will be off the charts. Fresh off his newly released album, French DJ NTO will fly in from France to bring layered melodies and euphoric mixes to transport you to a whole new level. Thursday night will also see Hakim serve up his signature trip-hop/electronica sets and Haffs get deep with her house selections. Trust us when we say the vibe, atmosphere, and talent here make this one of the hottest gig venues in the city.
Beast House, June 20, 9pm to 3am, Beast House, J12, JAX District, Riyadh 13732. The price starts from SAR250 per person and can be purchased here. @_beasthouse
Friday June 21
Nothing quite like that freshly baked bread smell
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Never has there been a bakery that’s made us want to dive headfirst into a tray of croissants like Chestnut Bakery. Trust us; you’ll love their trio crookies, signature sourdoughs, indulgent twice-baked croissants, and handmade flatbreads. For those searching for a lazy brunch, there’s no better place for your weekend morning than watching your pastries being made and a bright and airy seating area to sit back and relax. With its pain au chocolats, Kouign-Amann (a sweet Breton cake made with laminated dough) with black sesame praline, pistachio cake with cream cheese frosting, and Tahini dates cakes, you’ll be forgiven for spending far too much riyals in this sweet bakery.
Chestnut Bakery, daily 10.30am to 3pm, Pure Centre, 3213 As Safarjal, Al Mohammadiyyah, Riyadh 12364. @chestnut.sa
Beat the heat with these refreshing drinks
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To help you get some relief from the sweltering heat, Flamingo Room at Bujairi Terrace welcomes a menu of fruity mocktails and flavourful creations. Enjoy them with the restaurant’s new summery dishes, like the white fish ceviche or the innovative butternut squash carpaccio – ideal for sharing during the long summer evenings. What’s more, you’ll be able to catch live performances on the Flamingo Room rooftop on June 13, featuring Nawaf, a member of the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, from 8pm to 10pm and Composer Shadi Al Harbi from 10pm to midnight. So, come for the mocktails, stay for an absolute treat for the ears.
Flamingo Room, Bujairi Terrace, Sun to Thurs 6pm to 1am, Fri & Sat 2pm to 1am. @flamingoroomksa
DIY paint your own fluid bear
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Experience the viral fluid bear trend as you paint, drip, and splash your own creative masterpiece. Using fluid acrylic paints, you can create stunning and unique designs on the bear. Let your creativity flow as the colours blend and interact to form mesmerising patterns. Explore the joy of fluid art and bring your bear model to life with vibrant and flowing colours. Unleash your inner artist and enjoy the magical experience of creating your own personalised masterpiece.
Fluid Art Bear Workshop, June 20 to 22, 7pm to 9pm, Lift Studio & Space. SAR89 for a small bear and SAR128.75 for a large. @lift.ksa
Continue to dance the night away at Beast House
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Can’t get enough of Beast House? On Friday June 21, the sound of the Saudi underground is in the spotlight, as Beast House welcomes dynamic duo, Darko Delix, solo selector Sabbagh, and DJ/producer and creative director RDJ, in a night that flies the flag for local talent.
Beast House, June 21, 9pm to 3am, Beast House, JAX District, Riyadh. The price starts from SAR250 per person and tickets can be purchased here. @_beasthouse
Saturday June 22
Brunching… the ROKA way
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ROKA is one of the city’s most perennially popular hotspots for Japanese food. Its new semi-buffet brunch concept features 16 of the restaurant’s irresistible signature dishes and live stations. Expect a variety of bites, including yakisoba noodles, variations of gyozas, sushi, sashimi and skewers, hearty robata favourites for mains, as well as a dessert platter to finish. All of this is accompanied by a fantastic live DJ on the decks and a totally fun vibe, which ROKA is renowned for.
ROKA Riyadh Saturday Brunch, 1pm to 5pm, 5140 Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243 7053. SAR295 per person & SAR95 for children aged six to 12. Tel: 9200 12327. @rokarestaurant.ksa
Take part in an Asiri painting workshop
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Unleash the artist within you and learn the art of Asiri, inspired by the splendid beauty and green landscapes of Asir and its rich cultural heritage. Taking place at a pop-up gallery in Panorama Mall, this workshop is organised by Bonjour Saudi, a travel and experience design house, with unique offers connecting visitors to the cultural wonders of Saudi Arabia.
Asiri Painting Workshop – Bonjour Saudi Pop-Up Gallery, Panorama Mall, June 22, 5pm to 7.30pm. SAR250 per person. @bonjoursaudi
Catch the first UFC Saudi action
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Brace yourself for an extraordinary night of mixed martial arts action. The first-ever UFC action in Saudi Arabia is ticking along, and it is set to mark its inaugural event with a bang. The card’s main event will be a five-round bout at middleweight between former champion Robert Whittaker and Aliskerov. Get your tickets while they’re still available.
UFC Fight Night, June 22, 2pm to 1am, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh. Only the SAR300, SAR600, and SAR800 tickets are left, and they can be purchased here. @riyadhseason
Images: Instagram