Riyadh Nightlife

Aside from the restaurants and hotels wherein both families and singles can enjoy, there are no other nightlife activites in Riyadh in Western sense like bar, clubs, discotheque etc.

Though male can enjoy drinks and coffee along Tahlia street where they have numerous coffeeshops and restaurants which are mostly for singles.

This small coffee place is very popular with locals and visitors alike, as it is situated between the Faisaliyah Hotel and the Khozama Hotel.

It's got good espresso, turkish is nice and they have a number of good juices. There's also free WLAN access, which cannot be bad.

The Lebanese owners are very friendly, and prices are quite reasonable

If you do not like it there's quite a few places nearby, in the same side street. The street is closed to private traffic, so it's quite walkable (unlike most other places in Riyadh).

Dress Code: Thobe if you're Saudi, anything goes otherwise.

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The more restrictions you face the more fun you have at least.
The fanciest parties I have joined are those in Riyadh
like the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' with regard to the musical.

Anglo-american societies like to arrange Balls claiming appropriate dress codes; the music played, however, is not Ballroom-music.
I noticed that only English-language music is played on parties arranged by so called 'Westerners'. No arabic music or others. -----------------------------------------

A very excellent and Riyadh's best DJ is Lebanese. He mixes English, arabic and other internat. music (span., italian ...) in a very competent manner suitable to the temporary mood of a party. I had a lot of fun on his parties. -----------------------------------------

There is real Highlife on Philippino parties but in a childish innocent way. They dance a lot interrupted only by their games (like on kid's birthdays).

Dress Code: Balls: formal (long dresses for Ladies)----------------------
Philippino: Jeans and and any T-Shirt or Top

SHOPPING, shopping
What else?

On the other hand, Riyadh's present population of 4 mio people keeps on growing and growing.

I have never ever seen storks who bring the babies.

Dress Code: females post Menarche:
black Abaya and minimum veil around the neck or in the bag

males:
long trousers and minimum shoulder covering shirt

Shopping and sipping coffee are pretty much the only activities you can do in Riyadh at night. The shopping malls are indeed big and nice to be in, though the prices aren't as low as one may imagine (you typically save on VAT).
The most popular mall by far is Faisaliyah, but Extra (for electronics), Kingdom tower (with its women-only floor) and Sahara are worth a visit, as is the computer souq in the southern backstreets of Olaya.

Dress Code: No miniskirt

Riyadh looks beautiful at night lights, to spend a night, you can go to a "western"style coffee shop like starbucks, or you can go to a "traditional" style of coffee places where you can order shishah with mint tea

'Western' nightlife is a private affiar in this Islamic heartland. Parties, from DJ-ed events to Barbeques, are by invitation only and finding out about weekend happenings depends on what sort of friends and contacts you have. That said, the Rugby Club is the place to make them. You'll meet expat riate workers from a dozen countries, working for different companies. If you are not a sporting type you can join as a social member. The team travels throughout the country and the Gulf to seasonal games and tournaments, and plays touch games in Riyadh.

There is always a good bash after a home or away game...

Drop me an e-mail if you are headed to the Magic Kingdom.

In a normal city in the civilised world you'd see neon ligfhts and think,ooh I'll go over there and you'd probably a bar,or nightclub..........In Riyadh all you'd find is an internet cafe or a carpet shop !!!!

Theres is No nightlife......

Although some of these photos would tell another story.....