2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003

Just a quick update on my post yesterday about trying to stop Eureka from spamming me with SMS’s. According to Future Mobility the company that Eureka hired to send out the SMS’s, the service doesn’t rely on phone numbers.

Eureka used an Ad Zone geo-targeted SMS service that Future Mobility provides. This service doesn’t rely on numbers, instead, it automatically sends SMS messages to customers physically present in a selected area, using the operator’s mobile towers.

Future Mobility doesn’t have control over which numbers receive these messages, it depends entirely on the telecom operator. What they recommended to me is to activate a Zain service called Do Not Disturb (DND). I don’t know what that service is and can’t find any info on the Zain website so looks like I’m going to have to call Zain to find out.

It’s really interesting though, I assumed bulk SMS services required phone numbers, the fact they don’t is both fascinating and upsetting since even if you work hard to keep your number out of databases, you’ll still get SPAM.

It’s that time of year where I need to post about a band that’s NOT coming to Kuwait. Last year it was Lana Del Rey, this year it’s Backstreet Boys.

There’s a fake Instagram account pretending to be @thearenakuwait that, at first glance, looks legit. The account posted that the Backstreet Boys are performing in Kuwait on August 7 and they’re selling tickets for the show. When someone sent me the link, it took me a minute to realize the account name was slightly misspelled, which explains why so many people are falling for it. What’s hilarious is that it’s impersonating The Arena, but the concert venue they list is JACC 🤷🏼‍♂️

The fake account even copied the impersonation warning from the official account, and their posts are a mix of stolen content and made-up announcements.

I don’t know why The Arena hasn’t shut their account down yet, it’s not that difficult to report an account impersonating you or copying content from you.

I don’t get a lot of SMS spam, I don’t tend to give my number to businesses and when I do get SPAM I usually contact the business and ask them to stop and they do.

If I get one message every few months I don’t tend to bother stopping the messages because it’s not worth the effort, but if I get daily messages from you then I’m contacting you to stop. Which is what I did with Eureka.

I got three messages back to back from Eureka so I messaged them on Instagram asking them to stop sending me messages, and gave them my number and the screenshot above. A couple of days later I get a call from someone, she was like I spoke with management and they said they can’t stop sending the messages because they don’t send the messages, a third party company does. I thought that was stupid. You’re spamming customers with unsolicited ads with no way for the customer to opt out? That’s definitely not gonna piss people off right?

Anyway I didn’t even bother to try and explain to the person how ridiculous the idea was that they themselves can’t stop their customers getting spammed, so I asked her who the third party company they were using was and they told me mustaqbal, or Future.

So Future, the same people who used to be the Nokia dealers and have their own electronics shop Future also offer a service of bulk smsing people. So now I emailed them asking to remove me from their SMS list.

But my question is, what other option do I have? Is there another way I can stop Eureka from spamming me? I’ve tried the block function on my phone but that doesn’t work.

I don’t usually post about new coffee shops but this one opened in my neighborhood so figured I’d give it a shout out. Cuppa Joe just opened today and although it’s fairly small, it still has quite a lot of seating and a cool minimal interior that gives off a bit of a Scandinavian vibe. The owner Abdullah mentioned he was going for an American coffeehouse look with subtle Asian aesthetics but I just felt it leaned more towards Scandinavian.

Whatever the intention, the space feels relaxed and easygoing, which is exactly the vibe he was aiming for. He wants it to be a neighborhood hangout where friends can meet up or people can get work done while having a coffee.

If you want to check it out, it’s located in Ras Al-Ard, Salmiya (google maps), behind Asnan Tower and the other chill coffee spot Sluggish. They’re currently open from 5PM to 11PM since the owner has a day job, but those hours might change later so check their Instagram before heading there. @cuppajoe.kw

I picked mine up from Game Store for KD25 if anyone wants to get one. I’m now trying to decide if I should play it now or wait to play it on my 16 hour flight next month. Link

I got a message from my dogs’ vet last week (IVH) saying that, for the first time ever in Kuwait, they’ve introduced pet insurance. It’s a collaboration between them and the insurance company GIG Takaful, and it covers both cats and dogs. The coverage includes:

• Consultations and examinations
• Accidents and illnesses
• Surgeries, medications, and hospital admissions
• Blood tests and CT scans
• Euthanasia and cremation (where applicable)
• Third-party liability (for dogs)

I checked the prices and there are two plans available for both cats and dogs. Cat plans start at KD79 per year, while dog plans start from KD99. If you want to find out more, click here.

Models: August and Hugo

The Kuwaiti fashion label Emanmoon just opened their first international pop-up, and they chose one of the most stylish summer destinations for it, Saint-Tropez.

Emanmoon is known for their elegant, free-size pieces made from premium fabrics which are perfect for hot summers and traveling. Their collections are designed and made in Kuwait and focus on timeless silhouettes, soft color palettes, and effortless style.

They chose Saint-Tropez for their first international pop-up because the city attracts a global, fashion-forward crowd that appreciates unique designs. It was the perfect place to introduce the brand this summer.

This opening marks a major milestone for Emanmoon, becoming the first Kuwaiti fashion brand to launch in Saint Tropez. The pop-up, located at 1 Rue Sibille, showcases two of their standout collections, Maris and Oasis.

If you’re in Saint-Tropez this summer, pass by and check them out. You can also follow them on Instagram @emanmoonkw or check out their website emanmoon.com

Here are my favorite things taking place this weekend:

Thursday, July 17
Around the World at The Avenues
Korean Traditional Games Day

Friday, July 18
Around the World
Great British Fishing Expedition
Thura Heritage & Sustainability Pop-up
Social Paddle Boarding

Saturday, July 19
Around the World at The Avenues
Charity Book Sale at Better Books
Girls Boards Game Day
Thura Heritage & Sustainability Pop-up
Morning Music Brew
Social Paddle Boarding
Lumen printing Workshop

Back in February I bought the Wolfbox electric air duster from Amazon. It had excellent reviews and in every comparison test it usually beat out the competition. I had it on my wish list for awhile and then when it dropped down to $62 I ordered one. That was before Amazon shipped free to Kuwait so I ended up paying $83 with shipping to Kuwait so say KD26.5 with my banks conversion rate.

I just found out that it’s now available locally for KD25, basically the same price I paid for it. The price of the blower is now $90 on Amazon and even through it’s free shipping to Kuwait there is an $11 import charge so the price locally is actually cheaper than Amazon. If you want one, it’s available here.

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