12 amazing things to do in Riyadh this week: Aug 4 to Aug 7
Plan ahead…
Feeling the Sunday blues? We are too. Luckily for us, when you live in a city like Riyadh, you can’t really feel bad about the weekend being over for too long. Here are all the best things to do in Riyadh this week.
Sunday August 4
Enjoy kid’s pottery painting
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Lift is a social art club that is home to an art studio, and a coworking space that also hosts events and workshops. And Atrum is a virtual exhibition platform dedicated to supporting emerging artists in Saudi Arabia and beyond. So when the two come together, you can look forward to top-tier art events. On Sunday, you can take the kiddos out and enjoy pottery painting.
Summer events with Atrum and Lift, Al Mathar Ash Shamali, Riyadh 12332. @atrum.sa and @lift.ksa
Vinyasa yoga at The Yoga House
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The Yoga House is a yogis paradise. We love that their studio is all calming colours, raw materials and hushed tones. They have an impressive line-up of classes on their rosta, from classes designed for newbies or yin and restorative sessions for those wanting a gentler practise to dynamic ashtanga sessions.
The Yoga House, 7793 Olaya St, Al Yasmin, Riyadh 13325, Mon to Thurs 5.30am to 10pm, Fri 9am to 1.30pm, Sat 11am to 6.30pm & Sun 12.30pm to 2pm & 5.30pm to 10pm. @theyogahouse.sa
Get a little crafty over a cup of coffee
Looking for an eclectic all-day cafe in an airy space that also stages craft classes? Enter Cosefan in Diriyah. This hidden gem is a space for different creative activities, such as painting, clay-making and acrylic colouring for children and adults.
Cosefan, Diriyah, 3726 Prince Abdullah Abdul Rahman, Al Diriyah, Al Jadidah, Diriyah 13732, Sat to Wed 7am to 1am, Thurs & Fri 7am to 2am. SAR 79 for painting, SAR134 for clay-making & SAR179 for acrylic colouring. @cosefan1
Monday August 5
Enjoy Friends trivia night
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AlSaqeefa is one of the coolest venues in Riyadh. Home to a large board game collection, tournaments, and a full-service coffee and dessert menu. Head here for a fun time in a cosy cafe. This Monday, you can enjoy trivia night at the cafe, centred around a hit TV Show Friends.
AlSaqeefa, Abi Bakr As Siddiq Rd, An Narjis, daily 10am to 1am. @alsaqeefa
Step in the future
Riyadh’s incredible cultural hotspot Fenaa Alawwal is playing host to a wonderful exhibition exploring the near future as it approaches us. Welcoming to “Unfolding the Embassy.” On until Sunday September 1, the exhibition focuses on a rediscovery of the human condition in the year 2040.
Unfolding the Embassy, Fenaa Alawwal, daily 10am to 10pm. Book your ticket for SAR20 here. @fenaaalawwal
Have scones (and tea) at A.O.K
Lovers of afternoon tea and sweet and savoury nibbles, check out the new summer scones party at A.O.K. Kitchen. The tantalising new menu features eight unique and exciting flavours and offers an unexpected Saudi twist, with scones made using local and homegrown ingredients. Creative savoury flavours like tangy Jalapeno and Aged Cheddar Cheese, Roasted Peppers and Feta Cheese, Blue Cheese and Orange Blossom Honey and Caramelised Onion Beef Bacon and Thyme – offering a tantalising mix of salty and sweet to pique diners’ interest.
A.O.K Kitchen, KAFD Wadi, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519, daily 8am to 2am. @aokkitchensaudi
Tuesday August 6
Go have boba tea at Chatime
Now open in Localizer Mall in Tahlia, Chatime recently reopened its doors in the capital. Chatime originally opened in Taiwan in 2005, and now has over 1000 retail outlets across countries like Malaysia, China, India, Macau, Vietnam, and more.
Chatime, Localizer Mall, Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz, Sun to Thu 11am to midnight, Fri 1pm to midnight, Sat 10am to midnight. @chatimeriyadh
Go Bowling
With bowling, laser tag, arcade games, a full menu and more, you’ll want to plan an entire day here. This family-friendly spot is home to a six-lane bowling alley and is priced at Sar60 per person per game. We reckon your kids will love this place so much that you may end up planning your next birthday soiree here.
Go Bowling, Makan Mall, Prince Muhammad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Al Malqa, Riyadh 11564, Sun to Wed 3pm to 11pm, Thurs 3pm to 1am, Fri 4pm to 1am & Sat 4pm to 11pm. Sar60 per person per game of bowling. Tel: 053 355 0212. Go4fun.net
Book a power lunch
Mr Chow Riyadh opened to great acclaim in 2023, and if you’re one of the few people who still have yet to try this spot, then there’s no better time to visit than at lunch for the set menu that’s available daily from noon to 5.30pm. With two courses for SAR159, you can treat yourself to dishes like lobster shumai and chicken satay, as well as bigger dishes like the mouth-watering Gamblers duck and dressed Dungeness crab. Which sounds quite fancy-schmancy, doesn’t it?
Mr Chow Riyadh, 2.09 KAFD, SAR99 for lunch set menu, daily noon to 5.30pm. Tel: 9200 12658. @mrchowriyadh
Wednesday August 7
Book an escape room
Escape The Room has three locations across KSA, including two in Riyadh. The concept 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 start from SAR400.
Escape The Room, Al Ghadir, Exit 5 – King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, Sun to Wed 3pm to midnight, Thu 1pm to midnight, Fri 1.30pm to midnight, and Prince Muhammad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13511, Mon to Wed 3pm to midnight, Thu to Sun 1pm to midnight. Tel: (0)50 809 9911, escapetheroomsa.com
Jam out to music at Level Up
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There’s never a shortage of incredible places to visit in Riyadh, so when we heard about the latest hub for all things fun and games, we simply needed to check it out. Enter: Level Up Riyadh. The venue is known for hosting curated events, unique retail sections, and its incredible food and drinks created in a cutesy coffee bar indoors. On Wednesday, you can jam out to music and enjoy your time in the chill space today.
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
Get your nails done at Bubble Nails
Bubble Nails is a retro-chic salon with the comfiest armchairs and fully equipped manicure stations. If you’re tired of neutral nails, they can help you switch things up. Specialists in vibrant shades and cool nail art, they cater to all your nail art desires, from the whimsical to the whacky.
Bubble Nails, 7483 Al Abbas Ibn Abd Al Mouttaleb, At Taawun, Riyadh 12476, Mon to Fri 1pm to 9pm & Sat 2pm to 10pm. Tel: 053 098 8666. @bubblenail.sa