13 top things to do in Riyadh this week: June 23 to June 26
Feeling the holiday blues? We’ve got a plan(s)…
We’re coming back from the Eid Al-Adha break this week and if you’re a little bummed out (like us), we’ve got just the things for you. From cool restaurants to escape rooms and so much more, here are all the things to do in Riyadh this week.
Sunday June 23
Head to Boulevard Riyadh City’s food festival
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Happening every Sunday is a fun food festival at Boulevard Riyadh City. Enjoy a 50 per cent discount at restaurants and cafes all over the zone.
Boulevard Riyadh City, Hittin, daily 4pm to 4am. @blvdruhcity
Pamper yourself at Abalone
It’s serious business at the Abalone beauty salon. With technicians trained to offer every treatment you could think of, from classic mani-pedis to express drop-in treatments, you can rest assured that your nails will be in good hands. The offering doesn’t stop there; elsewhere, you can enjoy hair, lash, and facial treatments.
Abalone Beauty Salon, Pearl of the Oasis, Uthman Ibn Affan Rd, Riyadh 12445, Mon to Thurs & Sat noon to 9pm & Fri 1.30pm to 9.30pm. @abalone.sa
Cool down with Turkey’s finest
Fancy a Turkish ice cream? Durma offers five classic flavours: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, pistachio and lotus. Try them in their waffle cones, in a clay pot or sandwiched between the fluffy donuts.
Durma, The Boulevard, daily 11am to 2am. Tel: 050 072 3393. @durma.sa
Check out the Taylor Swift quiz night at Sociale
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Love Taylor Swift? Gather up the gang and step right up to the challenge. Answer as many questions as you can about the megastar and enjoy your time.
Sociale Cafe, Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, As Sulimaniyah, 8pm, SAR35. @sociale.cafe
Hang out at Level Up
The venue is known for hosting curated events, unique retail sections, and its incredible food and drinks created in a cutesy coffee bar indoors. Aiming to create an environment that fosters community building to create meaningful interactions. You can look forward to casual video gaming experiences that encourage conversations, car simulators, and board games too.
LVL UP social club, Hittin, Sun to Wed 4pm to midnight, Thu 11am to 12.30am, Fri 12.30pm to 1.30am, Sat 11am to 12.30pm. @lvlupsocialhub
Monday June 24
Check out the newest cafe with a twist in town
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Opening in Pure Center, the unique concept will be offering up everything from open terrarium plant collectives including basic cacti, greenie in a bottle, home green home, and ottera, all of which come with specific care instructions.
BONNE Riyadh, Al Takhassousi, Al Mohammadiyyah, daily 9am to 6pm. @trybonne
Beat the heat with these refreshing drinks
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
Escape… no really
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Escape is one of the escape rooms that has impressed us deeply. The moment you step into the room, you will be completely immersed in the character. It also includes a Virtual Reality (VR) system into the gameplay to further engage the players. There are seven different rooms to choose from, including one of its most difficult, “Prince of Persia: The Dagger of Time”, which sees up to four players finding a way out of a reimagined Fortress of Time. This attraction is for puzzlers who have a penchant for suspense.
Escape, Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 11546, daily midnight to noon, 3pm to midnight. @escapeksa
Tuesday June 25
Go shopping at Spinneys
Spinneys will open its first Riyadh store on Monday June 24 in La Strada Yard, a brand-new complex in the An Nuzhah district. Residents will soon be able to take advantage of the comprehensive grocery offering with high-quality products sourced from across the world.
Spinneys, La Strada Yard, An Nuzhah, Riyadh 12472, opening June 24, 2024.
Bounce around at Bounce Riyadh
Bounce Riyadh is not only insane fun but a serious workout too. The super-sized trampoline park is filled with obstacle courses, dodgeball, climbing walls, speed slide, slam dunk area and, of course, trampolines galore.
Bounce Trampoline Park, 4466 Khurais Branch Rd, AR Rawdah, 2pm to 10pm Sun to Fri, 12pm to 10pm Sat. Tel: (055) 198 8993. bounce.sa
Eat the seafood of your dreams at Asmak Wadi El Nile
Asmak Wadi El Nile is the place to be if you’re at all into seafood- prepared in the traditional Middle Eastern way. The venue is super expansive with booth and table seating choices, along with a solid nautical theme throughout the space.
Asmak Wadi El Nile, Olaya St, al maazar north, Soultan bin Abed el Aziz road, Mon to Sat 12.30pm to 12.30am, Closed Sun. @wadielnileksa
Wednesday June 26
Watch the latest flick
The first cinema operator in Saudi Arabia, AMC Cinemas has some of the comfiest seats in the city and a great range of snacks and drinks on offer. We’re particularly fond of its weekend super saver, where you can enjoy a large popcorn, a soft drink and a ticket starting from SAR65. If you still haven’t caught the world’s favourite Bad Boys, they’re back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your-seat action and outrageous comedy, but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run. Or create new core memories with the family this weekend as Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley. She is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions.
AMC Cinemas, various locations, including Panorama Mall and Riyadh Gallery. Visit: AMCCinemas.com
Visit the ‘Perfumes of the East’ exhibition
The ‘Perfumes of the East’ exhibition has made its first international stop in Riyadh. Unfolding through three distinct spaces at the National Museum – from the raw beauty of nature to bustling town streets and the setting of a private home, the exhibition enables visitors to experience the evolution of perfume-making through a blend of historical treasures and modern artistic expressions.
Perfumes of the East, until Sept 14, Mon to Wed & Sat 9am to 6pm, Thurs 9am to 9pm & Fri 2pm to 9pm, National Museum. Tickets are priced at SAR29 and can be purchased here. @mocsaudi