2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003

I’m filing this under rumors since the two sources I heard this from aren’t directly involved in the project, but I feel confident it’s actually happening. Supposedly, Topgolf is opening in Kuwait and will be part of the Sahara Kuwait Golf Resort.

There’s already a Topgolf open in Dubai and three planned for Saudi Arabia, so it’s not far fetched that one would be coming to Kuwait.

Topgolf is a driving range meets arcade, where you hit microchipped balls at giant targets to score points based on accuracy and distance. It’s less about golfing skills and more about having fun and hanging out with friends. There’s usually food and lots of drinking involved.

I reached out to Topgolf Dubai to see if they knew anything and was told they haven’t made any official announcements yet, but recommended I stay tuned to their official channels. When I pestered them a bit for any kind of info, they told me they’d spill the tea the moment they can. So I’m taking that as a sign that it’s happening, but they can’t say anything until it’s officially announced.

I also reached out to Ben Sharpe, the president and managing director for Topgolf Callaway Brands EMEA, but as of right now, I haven’t heard back from him yet.

Since we’re on the subject of golf, can someone please build a huge indoor miniature golf course as well? Thanks.

First image by @es_dubai, the second from @topgolfdubai

With so much competition in Kuwait’s beauty salon scene, any new spot really needs to stand out. That’s exactly what the new Laha Lounge has done.

Laha, which means “for her” in Arabic, was designed with one goal in mind: to make you feel like the center of attention. Every detail, every service, and every moment is carefully curated to make you feel special.

Located in Sabah Al Salem (Google Maps), Laha Lounge specializes in hair color, styling, nail care, along with their signature baths and natural masks. According to regulars, the interior design makes it feel like an escape from the everyday rush, the kind of place where time feels like it just pauses the moment you walk in. That level of design makes sense considering Laha Lounge is owned by Amina Al Failakawi, the founder of the popular design studio @past.modern.

If you’re looking for a new salon to try, Laha Lounge is open daily from 11AM to 8PM. You can book through WhatsApp at 63330832 or send them a DM on Instagram @laha_lounge.

Pêche quietly opened in Thuraya Mall late last year, but they recently expanded and the store is now pretty massive, nearly taking up an entire side of the mall. The store is filled with carefully curated items, from books and candles to decorative pieces and home accessories.

I knew Pêche (pronounced pesh) back when it was November Blooms in Mayar Complex, Shuwaikh. Before that, it was Things by November, located in Tilal Complex before it burnt down. The concept is by Bibi Hayat, who’s also behind @novemberandco and the popular events company @bibihayat_events.

I used to pass by the Mayar store whenever I had a gift to give, since they offered a wrapping service with a great selection of premium paper, and I could also pick up a card, some flowers, or even a cake. When Bibi closed the Mayar location to move to Thuraya, she decided to rebrand November Blooms as Pêche, which has a double meaning. Pêche means peach, a color she loves, but it also means fishing, which is an ode to her late father who was passionate about it. The fishing reference ties into the concept as well, since she enjoys discovering unexpected accessories and curiosities.

Bibi has always had great taste, and the new store is full of beautiful things. With the larger space, she can now host pop-ups as well. Recently, she had an antiques pop-up, and before that, a selection of secondhand designer pieces from weddings. So there’s always something going on.

If you want to pass by and check the place out, Pêche is located in the same mall as @ode.eatery and @ohg.kw in Salmiya (Google Maps). They’re open daily (including Fridays) from 9AM to 9PM. @thepechelife

The Traffic Department just selected the Genesis G90 as the official vehicle for ceremonies and protocol duties (source). These won’t replace the current police cars, they’ll only be used for specific situations like transporting high-ranking officials, being part of motorcades or convoys, etc.

In 2021, the G90 was also selected by the National Assembly as the official transportation car for its members.

I’ve seen a couple of the G90 police cars on the roads when they were testing, and although they look nice, I still wish they would have gone with the Volvos they were testing back in 2020. Those looked way hotter.

The popular London burger spot Supernova is coming to Kuwait. Supernova is part of BVC Hospitality, the same group behind other hit brands like CRÈME, NAC and Barnaby (my favorite).

Supernova is being brought to Kuwait by Gulf Food Enterprises Co., the same company bringing NAC, which will be opening in the Hessah District. The first Supernova location is set to open at Tilal Complex around September or October.

I tried Supernova in London last March, back when it was all over TikTok. I think I waited around 45 minutes in line? Back then it felt like I had stepped into real life TikTok since I had watched so many videos of it before. It felt weird being there in person, like I was inside TikTok. The burger was a good smashed burger, but not really worth waiting in line for. It would be a good no-frills, get your burger and leave kind of spot.

Supernova Kuwait isn’t the first Supernova outside of London, they recently opened in Bahrain.

via Dahan Fitout

Earlier this morning I was ok TikTok when a video popped up by a girl named Danah who was giving a tour of the new Villa Shams Beach Club which opened last week. I quickly realized it was AI generated. The account owner wasn’t trying to hide it or anything, the video was labeled as being AI-generated and her profile description said she was virtual. So I reached out to the creator to find out more about Danah.

Danah is the creation of Abdulaziz Al-Rashed who runs @ai.lenskw, a Kuwait based studio that generates AI content. He created Danah after he saw an opportunity to blend realistic virtual characters with content that resonates with people. Danah is a new kind of influencer, one that merges advanced AI visuals with meaningful content, while still feeling like a real person people could connect with. To him Danah isn’t just a digital face, she was built to reflect real emotions, cultural identity, and beauty in a way that feels relatable yet aspirational.

I don’t think we lack influencers for us to need virtual ones, but he did mention something I found interesting. One of the goals behind creating Danah was to support business owners who can’t appear on social media, either for cultural reasons or simply because they’re shy. Danah is a showcase, an example of how he could create a custom virtual character to speak and present on behalf of owners while preserving their privacy and respecting traditions.

That actually might just work, especially at the pace AI is moving, I wouldn’t be surprised if we soon can’t tell virtual influencers apart from real ones. To be fair, some real influencers look pretty virtual anyway.

If you want check out Danah’s videos, her Instagram account is @danah.vibes and her TikTok is @danah.vibeskw

A couple of weeks ago I went to Berlin for the very first time and I ended up loving the city. There were no direct flights from Kuwait, so I flew Kuwait Airways to Munich, spent the night, and then drove to Berlin the next day. I could’ve taken the train or flown via Qatar Airways or Emirates, but the timings didn’t work for me. The city is huge but here’s my list of spots to add to your Berlin itinerary if you ever decide to head there:

Eat
Remi is a stylish spot. I didn’t have a reservation, but they were able to accommodate me, and the place had a relaxed vibe. Ripieno is an Italian spot I ended up at by mistake on my way to another restaurant. The atmosphere was great and they had delicious fresh pasta. While in Berlin, I had Vietnamese food three times, probably to balance out all the schnitzel I was having. The best beef pho I had was at Madame NGO. I also had delicious seafood and a great experience at FunkyFisch.

Drink
My go-to spot every morning was Acid. They had great coffee, a good cheese and butter sandwich, and delicious pastries. SOFI also had good coffee, but also the best lemon poppy seed cake I’ve ever had. Aera was another good spot with a nice courtyard to chill in.

See
If you like beautiful objects visit Kunstgewerbemuseum and Bauhaus Dessau. HAY has a store in Berlin which was great since I need to get one of their dog beds. Dregeno for wooden crafts, Fotoimpex for analog photography and Breathe if you’re into independent perfumers. Luiban and R.S.V.P. for unique stationery, and YUN for cool Korean eyewear. If you’re there on a Sunday visit Mauerpark for the flea market and to chill in the park.

Sleep
I stayed at Locke East Side Gallery, which turned out to be a great choice. The room was spacious and had a beautiful view of the river. It was also conveniently located at the Berlin Wall and near both overground and underground stations. Plan B was Chateau Royal.

For my previous travel guides, click here.

It’s ridiculously hot in Kuwait right now, so the timing couldn’t be better for Ciervo’s new Summer Iced Tea lineup.

They’ve introduced three refreshing flavors, all made using premium teas from their sister brand Genuine Tea (@genuineteame). They’re crafted with natural ingredients and have zero added sugar, which makes them perfect for a guilt-free summer cool down.

Here are the flavors:

Cranberry Iced Tea
A herbal blend of hibiscus, cranberry, and apple, infused with natural passion fruit juice. Fruity, tart, and super refreshing.

Mango Pineapple
Organic sencha green tea mixed with natural mango and pineapple juice. Light, tropical, and easy to sip on a hot day.

Dragon Peach
Organic Ceylon peach and apricot tea, finished with natural dragon fruit juice. A juicy, mellow blend that’s surprisingly addictive.

They’re also still serving their popular açaí bowls, made with açaí sourced directly from their partner farms in Brazil. Another great option to cool off with.

Ciervo is a local café that’s been serving nutritious, fast-lifestyle-friendly options since 2018, with seven locations across Kuwait. If you’re looking to hydrate in this heat, check them out @ciervocafe

Not a lot happening this weekend, but on the bright side Superman is out in the theaters here. Haven’t read any reviews yet but it’s a movie I’m planning to watch. Also need to watch the new Jurassic Park.

Friday, July 11
Wellthy’s Summer Bodega
Experimental Film Photography
Sunrise Paddle
Summer Flea Market

Saturday, July 12
Wellthy’s Summer Bodega
Girls Only Board Gaming
Sunrise Paddle
DAI Family Day
Summer Flea Market
Korean Movie Night: Masquerade

Looks like there are more Switch 2’s in Kuwait than people actually want them. I was at Xcite Avenues yesterday and noticed they’re now selling the Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundle for KD175, and the console only version for KD150.

Blink are selling the combo for slightly cheaper at KD173 as well and I’m sure there are probably even cheaper prices elsewhere. So if you wanted to wait till prices dropped to something reasonable, you’re in luck.

Update: Game Store selling the combo for KD170

We don’t have a shortage of burger spots in Kuwait, but a new spot just launched that’s doing things a bit differently. GYU is a Japanese-inspired burger concept that just opened for delivery, and it looks pretty interesting.

The name GYU is the Japanese word for “cow” or “cattle,” and is pronounced like “gyoo”. The team behind GYU are clearly fans of Japanese culture. Their idea was to blend Japanese flavors with classic American burgers and sandwiches, and the result is a menu full of interesting twists like Katsu Sando burgers and sandwiches with umami-packed sauces and ingredients.

They also have a bunch of unique items planned for future phases, including some premium secret menu items that will only be available through their website, GYUKW.com.

For now, GYU are operating as delivery only, but I’m looking forward to trying them out. You can check them out on Instagram at @eatatgyu

I’ve heard from two different sources that Barry’s, the popular LA-based fitness chain, is opening in Kuwait at the end of this year.

Barry’s is a fitness studio brand that is best known for their signature “Red Room” workout, a high-energy class that alternates between High‑Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on treadmills (cardio), and strength training on the floor (weights, resistance bands, bodyweight exercises).

I’ve never taken any of their classes, but I have a friend in Dubai who’s obsessed with them. Supposedly, you can burn up to 1,000 calories in a single 50-minute session, which is insane.

They currently have over 90 studios across 17 countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, with the Kuwait location expected to open in October.

Since 2015 I’ve mostly been wearing Adidas Ultraboosts as my daily sneakers. Since 2018 I’ve actually been wearing one specific model/color of the Ultraboosts which is the Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 Limited Cream Chalk. The original 1.0 version of the Ultraboost has always been my favorite the I found the cream color works with everything I have. But since they were only released for a limited time period and they weren’t that special of a pair for collectors, finding a new pair kept getting harder and harder every year. Eventually Adidas reissued them and they became easier to find again for a while before they started becoming rare again (and with that more expensive).

The Ultraboosts were also my travel shoes since they were comfortable and light, and I even got hitop Goretex versions for when I’m expecting there to be rain. But, no matter how comfortable the Ultraboosts were, after 20,000-30,000 steps my feet and lower back tended to hurt at the end of the day.

So I decided to look for a new pair of travel sneakers and eventually ended up with a pair of Hoka Clifton 10’s. I just got back from my first trip with them and I’m really impressed. The first time I put the Hoka’s on in the store I was so surprised at how soft and cushiony they were to my Ultraboosts. It was weird cuz every step I took felt bouncy. I wore it in Kuwait for like a month so I could get used to it when I traveled and now that I’m back I’m completely sold on them.

Looking back at my data now I didn’t hit 30,000 steps on any day this trip, but I had three days in a row where I was hitting between 21,000 and 24,000 steps a day. The whole trip I didn’t have any pain in my feet after a long day of walking, nor did I have any back issues. Usually the back issues pop up when I’m standing too long and my feet start to hurt, so I start shifting weight from one leg to another. I didn’t have that problem with the Hoka’s. They’re so soft and cushiony they make me wonder how I thought my super comfy Ultraboosts were actually comfortable.

The Hoka’s also cost less than a new pair of Ultraboosts at KD57. The cheapest pair of new Cream Chalk Ultraboosts in my size on StockX is currently KD122, but even when they were readily available at Adidas they were like KD69 or something.

I really like the Hoka’s and they aren’t that bad looking either.

SuperPark Arena, the newest and 5th SuperPark in Kuwait, just opened and it’s the 3rd branch of SuperPark inside The Avenues Mall. It’s located right next to KidZania and above the Souk entrance. SuperPark is a Finnish brand having branches in 12 countries.

This new branch has a bunch of new attractions including:

• Pedal Car Track: Drive a car with pedals like bicycles
• Flying Fox / Zipline: Fly through the air indoors!
• Skate & Scoot: The only indoor skatepark in Kuwait for Skateboards and Scooters.
• Soccer Court: A big indoor football playground.
• Super Arena: An interactive video-game room with motion-based multiplayer games.

In addition to the above there is also a separate toddlers area for safety, and a dedicated premium birthday room for celebrations.

You can either get a 1-hour or 2-hour pass, and that gives you access to all the activities and games inside. It’s fun for all ages, including kids, teens, adults and parents.

Location: Avenues Mall, Phase 3, Level 1 (next to KidZania)
Opening Hours: 10AM to 10PM on weekdays, 10AM to 11PM on weekends

SuperPark now has five locations in Kuwait:
– SuperPark Arena (Avenues, above Souk) (recently open)
– SuperPark Kuwait (Avenues, Gate 16)
– SuperPark KidsZone (Avenues Forum Basement, Gate 27)
– SuperPark Jahra (Al Mekhiyal Complex)
– SuperPark Siddeeq (Siddeeq Co-op)

For more info head to @superparkkw

After my last post on watching AC/DC live, I ended up watching Nine Inch Nails the following day, they were actually why I ended up in Berlin. This was the second time I booked for NIN in Berlin, first time was back in 2018 but never ended up going (I don’t remember why now), but I’m so glad I went this time.

I knew going to the NIN concert I had good tickets since I got them within the first 15 minutes of the tickets going on sale. They were 3rd row seated and near the stage off to the side, but not too much to the side. When NIN started their tour a couple of weeks ago, they revealed they’d also have a second smaller stage in the middle of the arena. I was hoping we’d get that as well since my seats would turn out to be perfect, and we did. My seats turned out to be between both stages so I couldn’t have asked for better tickets.

The concert itself might be the best one I’ve ever been to. The only reason I’m not sure is because I did Foo Fighters in a stadium and I was like front row middle standing in front of the stage which is hard to beat. Also I had to get to that concert 5 hours before the gates opened to stand in line and then run to the stage to get that done so there was quite a bit of work involved. I also watched Smashing Pumpkins with Marlyn Manson live in LA, and Smashing Pumpkins have always been my #1 band. So I guess this NIN concert is my top 3.

Performance wise, I think they were than Foo Fighters and Smashing Pumpkins and I had such a great time. I was actually so upset when the show finished since it felt too short. I just checked how long it was based on the first and last photo I took and turns out the concert was 2 hours and 35 minutes long. That’s crazy because I was just going to type the concert was 1:30-2 hours long max but figured I’d double check. I can’t believe it was two and half hours long, time flew by so quickly. The crowd was great, the lighting and sound was great, and the band were just incredible.

Anyway, I’m mostly posting this for me, as a personal diary note. But, if you’re a fan of Nine Inch Nails I highly recommend you try and watch one of their shows. This was my second time watching them, first time was at a festival, but it’s so much more personal when it’s the bands tour and in a much smaller arena and everyone there is a super fan and knows all the lyrics.