Categories
Animals Promoted Shopping

A Kuwaiti Brand that’s Making Pet Furniture

As a pet owner myself, I think this is a pretty cool idea.

Bubbles & Paws is a local pet furniture concept started by three pet lovers who ran into the same issue a lot of pet owners have faced before, they couldn’t find pet furniture that worked with their living spaces. Most of what was available was either too plain, too bulky, or looked like it belonged in a storage room. On top of that, a lot of the options they came across weren’t very comfortable or didn’t feel safe enough for their pets.

So instead of settling, they decided to create what they couldn’t find.

The goal wasn’t to make flashy designer pieces, instead, it was to design furniture pets would actually enjoy using, while still fitting naturally into a home. Furniture that felt cozy and looked good, not something you felt like hiding when people came over.

What started as a personal frustration quickly turned into a business idea. One built around the idea that pet furniture shouldn’t feel like a compromise, either for your pet or your living space. They currently have around a dozen different designs, each in its own color, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something that fits your space. Their Minty Heaven bed for example might work for my dog, while the Frosty Ears bed could be a better fit for your cat.

They have options that work for most living spaces, so if you want to see the full collection, head over to their website bubblesandpawscompany.com




Categories
Geek Music Shopping

JBL L100 Classic MKII at Xcite

Last night I found out that Xcite have the JBL L100 Classic MkII speakers for sale. I had my eye on these years ago but shipping them to Kuwait would have costed an arm and a leg on top of the already crazy expensive price. Eventually I ended up getting the KEF R7’s, but now the JBL’s are available in Kuwait.

These speakers were originally released in the 1970s and became an iconic model. These’s MKII’s are a modern take on them and they’re selling at Xcite for KD 540 per speaker. So KD 1,080 for a pair. Sounds like a lot, cuz it is a lot but it’s still cheaper than how much they sell for abroad. This is technically a good deal.

It also looks like they recently got some new FOCAL speakers and updated their Marantz collection. Only reason I found out about all this is because I’m always looking for KEF items and it seems they’re no longer getting anything new. I need speaker stands for my LSX and LS50 speakers which they were selling at a steal at one point when they were getting rid of them, but now they don’t have any left in stock.

If you want to check out the JBL’s, here is the link.

I also noticed their website no longer lists any SVS subwoofers nor any Bowers & Wilkins speakers. Looks like they stopped getting those two brands as well. It’s really sad they stopped getting SVS products, they make the best subwoofers. I guess I’m lucky I bought the PB-2000 Pro and SB-2000 Pro when they had them in stock. Can’t recommend them enough!




Categories
50s to 90s Photography Sports

A Memorable Day at the Camel Races – 1988 by AbuJack

Since the 24th Annual Kuwait International Camel Racing Championship starts today, I thought it would be the perfect time to share these photos taken by Mark Lowey in 1988.

Mark Lowey (also known as AbuJack) worked for the Kuwait National Petroleum Company and lived in Kuwait with his wife from 1985 to 1988. One Friday on his day off, Mark and a friend headed to the camel races, where he captured a number of photos. This was during a period when camel jockeys were mostly children, a practice that was later banned in the 2000s.

Mark actually put together a photo essay from that day, complete with a detailed write up, but it was published on the Aramco Expats website, which shut down a couple of years ago. Luckily I still had some of the photos saved from when I first shared his photos on my blog back in 2021.

Also, for those of you interested in the camel racing championship, it’s taking place from February 7 to 12 and I’ve shared the schedule below.

Saturday, February 7
Morning Races start at 8AM
Afternoon Races start at 3:30PM

Sunday, February 8
Morning Races start at 8AM
Afternoon Races start at 1:30PM

Monday, February 9
Morning Races start at 8AM
Afternoon Races start at 1:30PM

Tuesday, February 10
Morning Races start at 8AM
Afternoon Races start at 1:30PM

Wednesday, February 11
Morning Races start at 8AM
Afternoon Races start at 3:30PM

Thursday, February 12
Races start at 1:30PM

Here is the location of the race track on Google Maps.




Categories
Press Release Promoted

City Hypermarket Expands with New Qurain Location

City Hypermarket, Kuwait’s fastest-growing locally owned supermarket chain, officially opened its newest location in Aswaq Al Qurain on February 4th. The new store was launched by the Founder Mr. Adel Alghanim, Deputy CEO Mr. Nasser Alghanim and Mr. Marzouq Alghanim, delivering on the brand promise of “Value, all the time” with a spacious, redesigned store and competitive Ramadan promotions for families across Kuwait. The opening was also attended by members of the press, the mall owners and landlord, amidst a festive celebration with the general public.

The new Qurain store features refreshed and redesigned layouts that deliver a more elevated and spacious shopping environment for customers. To celebrate the opening, City Hypermarket launched competitive deals across fresh produce, supermarket food items, and household essentials — all designed to make Ramadan shopping more cost-effective and convenient for families across Kuwait. The opening celebrations also featured a cultural Kuwaiti performance, family activities, and free giveaways for all to enjoy.

Deputy CEO Mr. Nasser Adel Alghanim expressed pride in the opening, stating:

“We are proud to open our first store in Mubarak Al Kabeer Governorate to serve the Al Qurain community at such an important shopping period. As a Kuwaiti company, this opening reflects our commitment to bringing our ‘Value, all the time’ promise closer to more families across Kuwait, helping them prepare for Ramadan with stronger value and greater convenience.”

In addition, City Hypermarket highlighted its specially curated household range for the season, developed with locally inspired designs that reflect Kuwaiti and Arabic culture and heritage. The range features three dedicated collections: Alanoud, Andalous, and Fajer from its exclusive Into Home Arabesque brand, as well as the beautifully designed WABA range. It also provides everything needed to prepare for the season, including kitchen essentials, serving and dining sets, glassware, cookware, and more.

Renowned for its large-format stores and one-stop-shop convenience, City Hypermarket has built its reputation as one of the best locally owned hypermarkets in Kuwait. The brand’s commitment to value-driven pricing and customer-centric service has driven consistent growth and increasing market share across the country in recent years.

The Qurain opening marked another milestone in the company’s growth trajectory, with another store planned to open in 2026 in Eqaila as the brand continues to expand its footprint across Kuwait.

The Qurain location welcomed its first customers on February 4th and is now serving the community 24 hours a day with the same commitment to value and service that has made City Hypermarket a trusted name across the country.

About City Hypermarket

Founded in 1999 by Mr. Adel Alghanim, City Hypermarket is Kuwait’s fastest-growing locally owned supermarket chain, committed to delivering exceptional value to Kuwaiti families and the wider community through competitive pricing and continuous promotions, including its signature 900 fils offers and ½-1-2-3 KD deals. Guided by its brand promise of “Value, all the time,” City Hypermarket has proudly served Kuwait for 26 years, with ambitious plans for continued expansion.




Categories
Events Things to do

Things to do in Kuwait this Weekend

Below are my favorite events taking place this weekend. If you’re interested in the camel races this Saturday they start at 8AM and then again at 3:30PM since it’s the first day of the Kuwait Camel Racing Championship.

Thursday, February 5
Family Fun with IKEA
Play: Antigone
Souk Mubarakiya Historical Walking Tour
Kuwait Light City
International Show Jumping 2026
Salt Movies: The Karate Kid

Friday, February 6
Family Fun with IKEA
Porsche Club Festival
Play: Antigone
Kuwait Light City
Al-Farsi Giant Kites Display
International Show Jumping 2026

Saturday, February 7
Porsche Club Festival
Play: Antigone
Qout Market
Kuwait Light City
Subiya Desert Cleanup
Fun and Games




Categories
Food & Drinks Information Lists

Cantina and Matbakhi Make the 50 Best Restaurants List

Last night, the winners of this year’s Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants were announced in Abu Dhabi, and two restaurants from Kuwait made the list.

Cantina and Matbakhi both earned spots on the 50 Best Restaurants list, with Cantina ranking 18th and Matbakhi coming in 50th. Cantina’s ranking is pretty incredible and the highest ever achieved by a Kuwait based restaurant on the 50 Best list.

Previous Kuwaiti restaurants that made the list include White Robata in 2022 and 2023, and Bonjiri in 2023.

The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list was launched in 2022 and is published every year. Restaurants are voted for by 250 respected food and restaurant industry experts from across the region, all chosen for their knowledge and experience of the local dining scene.

For the full list of 2026 winners, click here.




Categories
News

Uber is Finally Coming to Kuwait

There have been rumors about Uber coming to Kuwait for at least a decade now, and it looks like it’s finally happening. I just found out that Uber will be launching in Kuwait in the coming few months.

Earlier today, the GM of Uber announced at the National Forum for Transportation and Smart Services that the company plans to expand into Kuwait in the first half of 2026.

From what I’ve been told, even though Uber acquired Careem, this isn’t a Careem rebrand. Uber will operate alongside Careem, meaning both services will be available in Kuwait at the same time.




Categories
News Sports

Remember the wheel chair guy? He just broke a world record

Last month, a video filmed by Abdulmalek Marafi went viral, showing his struggle to get from Messila to Kuwait Towers in his wheelchair while training for the Dubai Marathon. Abdulmalek was born with a disability and uses his wheelchair to show people that obstacles can be overcome with motivation.

Two days ago, he took part in the Dubai Marathon and not only finished the race, but broke a world record in the process.

Abdulmalek completed the 42.195 km course in 2 hours and 51 minutes, earning him the world record for the fastest marathon completed in a non-racing wheelchair. That’s obviously an insane time and extremely impressive. If you want to see more of his videos, head over to his Instagram @m3rafie




Categories
50s to 90s Photography

That Time Souk Sharq Was Hit by a Missile

Since Souk Sharq closed down a couple of days ago, I thought I’d post about the time it was hit by an Iraqi missile.

Back in 2003 I was running the blog Qhate with a couple of friends and my sister. It quickly turned into a war blog once the situation with Iraq escalated, and we started covering life in Kuwait during that period. Many people had fled Kuwait out of fear of another invasion, and those who stayed were buying gas masks and taping up their windows. It was a strange and tense time to be living here.

Just after midnight on March 29, 2003, an Iraqi missile landed outside Souk Sharq, injuring two people and causing damage to the mall. Most of the damage was to the movie theater, which is located in the part of the mall closest to the water where the missile landed.

I had shared photos from the aftermath back then and still have them. They’re not high resolution, but they’re still worth sharing. It was a pretty scary time, and along with the photos I’m also sharing posts below written by my friend and my sister, who covered the incident on the blog.

If anyone is interested, the blog is still online as a time capsule of that period. You can check it out at qhate.com




Categories
News Sports

Kuwait Ski Team Comes 3rd in Ski Competition

A couple of years ago, I posted about Kuwait having a National Ski Team. Since then, they’ve been representing Kuwait in various International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) competitions, and just last week the team won two bronze medals in Sarajevo / Bjelasnica (BIH).

Salman AlKandari came third in both the Freeski Slopestyle and Freeski Big Air categories, earning two bronze medals. It was a small competition with a few European countries, but it was still a good stepping stone for Salman and his first podium finishes.

Kuwait on a ski podium feels a lot like the Jamaican bobsled team story, which is why I love it. If you want to stay posted on the Kuwait Ski Team, head to @kuwait_wgc




Categories
Events Things to do

Things to do in Kuwait this Weekend

Below are my favorite events taking place this weekend:

Thursday, January 29
Kuwait Marine Show 2026
965 Outlet Expo
IN SITU Exhibition
The Kashtah Market
Literary Open Mic Night

Friday, January 30
Kuwait Marine Show 2026
Michael Concert
965 Outlet Expo
Thrf at Tayo
The Kuwait Jazz Collective
Giant Kites Display
The Kashtah Market
Exploring the Night Sky
Buns and Books

Saturday, January 31
Kuwait Marine Show 2026
965 Outlet Expo
IN SITU Exhibition
The Kashtah Market
DAI Family Day
DAI Story Time
Full Moon in Leo Sisters Circle




Categories
Cars & Bikes News

Expats Can Only Own Three Vehicles Including Pickups

A reader just sent me a link to an Arab Times article which has both good news and bad news. The good news is that it seems expats can now own pick-ups, the bad news is that expats can only own 3 cars:

The Ministry of Interior has clarified that expats in Kuwait are permitted to own a maximum of three vehicles for personal use.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Bouhassan, Assistant Director of the Traffic Awareness Department, the permitted vehicles can include motorcycles, pickup trucks, or other types of cars.

Bouhassan added that while expats are allowed to renew the registrations of their existing vehicles, they are not permitted to register any additional vehicles beyond the three-vehicle limit. Source

I had to register my pick up under my wife’s name because expats couldn’t own pick up trucks. Now that we can, I still can’t move it to my name because I have 6 other cars registered. I don’t know why they keep complicating things. If it’s to reduce traffic this isn’t going to help.




Categories
Cars & Bikes Data Information Lists

The 10 Best Selling Cars in Kuwait Last Year

The Kuwait-based advisory firm Ali Bahbahani and Partners recently released its annual Kuwait Automotive Market Report for 2025.

According to the report, 2025 was Kuwait’s biggest year on record for car sales, with 151,489 vehicles sold. The data is based on official vehicle registration figures from Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, which go back to 2013. Last December was also the strongest single month on record, with 16,223 cars sold.

Other interesting facts:
– SUVs now make up 57% of the market, while sedans have fallen to 36%. The remaining 7% includes pickups, vans, and commercial vehicles.

  • Toyota is still the #1 brand in Kuwait

  • In 2017, Chinese brands sold just 681 vehicles in Kuwait. Last year, they sold 42,901, a 63x increase in only eight years.

  • Japanese brands held 55% of Kuwait’s car market in 2013. Today, they hold 40%. Over the same period, Chinese brands grew from 0.5% to 28%.

  • The top seven sellers in the budget-conscious segment are all Chinese brands: Jetour T2, GWM H9, Chery Arrizo 5, Changan Alsvin, MG 3, Omoda C5, and MG 5.

  • Ten brands sold fewer vehicles in 2025 than in 2024, even as the overall market grew 16%. These include Geely, Lexus, Jeep, Ford, and Honda.

  • Some brands rely heavily on a single model. For GMC, 72% of its sales come from the Yukon, while 70% of Jetour’s sales come from the T2.

  • The Jetour T2 outsold the Nissan Patrol last year, a model with decades of heritage in Kuwait.

Finally, the top 10 selling cars for 2025. Seven of the 10 models are SUVs. Only one of the top 10 is Chinese, while the majority of the best sellers are Japanese. Here are is the list:

1.  Toyota Prado (7,650)
2.  Toyota Land Cruiser (6,379)
3.  Jetour T2 (4,309)
4.  Nissan Patrol (4,181)
5.  Nissan Sunny (3,880)
6.  Ford Territory (3,539)
7.  Toyota Corolla (2,951)
8.  Chevrolet Captiva (2,269)
9.  GMC Yukon (2,266)
10. Kia Sportage (2,177)

For more interesting stats, click here.




Categories
Promoted

Press Release: Gissah Announces Official Partnership with AS Roma

In a landmark partnership that brings together global sport, cultural identity, and luxury craftsmanship, Gissah, the distinguished Arabian fragrance brand, proudly announces its official partnership with AS Roma, creating the “Essence of Roma”.

Rome is recognized as one of the world’s leading capitals of fashion and culture, where a unique convergence of rich history, art, fashion, and contemporary influence takes place. In a strategic and highly significant move, Gissah was chosen from among a select group of global fragrance brands to serve as the club’s exclusive fragrance partner, underscoring its growing prominence and the trust placed in it by international institutions. This selection marks a pivotal milestone in Gissah’s journey, representing a distinctive achievement that highlights its ability to showcase Arab craftsmanship on the global stage and strengthen its presence in major centers of influence, through partnerships that reflect the meeting of cultures and the integration of markets.

The partnership is launched under the slogan “Wolves Know Wolves,” symbolizing mutual recognition between two brands with clear identity and established standing, prior to any direct promotion or advertising. Rome is more than a football city; it’s the home of the city’s legendary founders and embodies core Roman values such as strength, loyalty, and maternal care.

Where Arabian perfumery craftsmanship meets the timeless spirit of one of Europe’s most iconic football clubs, the partnership transcends borders, blending culture, passion, and emotion into a unified global narrative.

Through this collaboration, Gissah becomes the official fragrance partner of AS Roma, strengthening its presence on a global stage where sport serves as a powerful platform for visibility, storytelling, and brand recognition.

“This partnership with AS Roma represents a strategic step in Gissah’s global growth journey,” said Bashar AlAmir the CEO of Gissah.
“We are honoured to become an official partner of AS Roma, a club with a rich heritage and a passionate global fanbase. Through this collaboration, we aim to bring together the essence of Italian football legacy and middle eastern craftsmanship, creating a cultural dialogue that elevates both brands to the next level.”

“We’re proud to welcome Gissah as a new partner of the club,” declared Michael Gandler, AS Roma Chief Business Officer. “This collaboration is a meeting of cultures and values, in which football, luxury and lifestyle come to the forefront. The creation of a co-branded fragrance is a unique expression of our identity, and it can create an emotional and sensorial bond with our fans around the world.

AS Roma provides Gissah with access to a deeply engaged global audience, with an estimated 80–90 million fans worldwide, over 46.6 million followers across social media platforms, and nearly 129 million television viewers per season. This reaches the partnership as a key driver in expanding Gissah’s international visibility and strengthening its global brand footprint.

Gissah does not seek to redefine Rome’s identity, but to become part of it, L’ESSENCE OF ROMA represents this connection, an acknowledgment of the city’s enduring character and cultural presence.

Gissah × AS Roma is more than an official partnership. It is a strategic evolution. By uniting sport, luxury, and cultural identity, Gissah continues its journey from a regional success story to a globally recognized brand with international relevance and long-term ambition.
Built on recognition, alignment, and shared values, this partnership reinforces Gissah’s commitment to expanding its global presence while remaining rooted in heritage and authenticity.

Wolves Know Wolves.




Categories
50s to 90s Sports

When the WWF Came to Kuwait in 1996

Back in 1996, the World Wrestling Federation (now the WWE) came to Kuwait for a huge event held at Al Arabi Stadium. It was one of the first major sporting events to take place in Kuwait after the Gulf War. I was a senior in high school at the time and went to the event with my older cousin. I recently found some photos I took and thought they’d be cool to share.

I don’t remember much from the event other than the fact that it was complete chaos, but in a good way. I was a huge WWF fan back then, and so was pretty much everyone else there. Going by the photos I took, it looks like I had pretty good seats. I was close to the ring, but also right by the entrance ramp, which meant I could stick my hand out to the wrestlers as they made their way in.

It was surprisingly difficult to find an accurate list of the fighters who came in 1996, but after checking multiple sources, this seems to be the correct lineup:

Shawn Michaels
Stone Cold Steve Austin
The Undertaker
Bret Hart
Yokozuna
Owen Hart
British Bulldog
Ahmed Johnson
Savio Vega
Bob Backlund
Bushwhackers (Butch & Luke)
Isaac Yankem D.D.S. (later Kane)
Leif Cassidy

The following year, there was another WWF event in Kuwait, which included the likes of The Rock, Mankind, and Vader. That was also when the infamous altercation between the KTV host, Bassam Al Othman, and Vader took place. The Undertaker and Vader were being interviewed live on the morning show when the host asked whether what they did in the ring was real or fake. Vader took offense to the question and attacked the host.

After the interview, the host filed charges at the police station, and Vader was arrested and placed under house arrest for a couple of weeks until the WWF eventually managed to get him out of the country.

Click here if you want to check out all the photos from the event.