2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003
This is just a quick update to my previous post relating to the opening of Popeyes in Kuwait. According to my contact there, the opening date of their first location has now been pushed back to January 2025.
Popeyes operated in Kuwait until closing in 2014, and now the Saudi food company Tanmiah is bringing it back. They’re opening two branches in Kuwait initially, one in Divonne Complex in Abu al-Hasaniyah, and the other in Sky Mall in Dhajeej.
I was going through my old posts on Wachamean and I found one I had written right after our 3-week lockdown during Covid. At the time, I was craving burgers and fries, so the first thing I did once we could leave the house was head to Wachamean. Their Jammin’ Bacon burger is one of my favorite burgers, but it’s a limited time only burger so it’s not on their menu all the time.
While I wait for the Jammin’ Bacon burger to make a comeback, they dropped another one of their limited-time items last week—their popular chicken burger, ‘Gimme Dat Chicken.’ It’s a sweet, spicy, and crispy fried chicken with American cheese, pickles, coleslaw, honey mustard, and brioche bun.
In addition to that, they’ve also introduced a new chicken burger sandwich, the Buffalo Chicken. It’s a crispy chicken fillet topped with melted cheddar cheese, zesty buffalo sauce, and creamy ranch sauce.
If you’re a fan of Wachamean like I am, now’s a great time to check them out and give their chicken burgers a try while we wait for the Jammin’ Bacon burger to make its comeback. The Gimme Dat Chicken and Buffalo Chicken both are available at any of their 9 locations around Kuwait, or through delivery. Don’t forget to follow their account to stay updated on their latest drops @eatwachamean
Yesterday I posted that Wicked was not technically banned in Kuwait, despite reports from some media outlets. The local censors have now approved the GCC version of the movie, and it’s currently showing in Kuwait starting today.
This week I started watching Landman after a friend recommended. Wow it’s such a good show! I think my favorite series this year and definitely currently enjoying it more than the new Dune. Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm and Demi Moore. It’s streaming on Paramount+.
I rented the movie The Wild Robot since my wife wanted to watch it, it was surprisingly really good.
Let me know in the comments what you recently watched or planning to watch.
Movies at the Cinemas
The movies below are now showing at the local cinemas:
New This Week:
Armor (3.5)
Home Alone (classic) (7.7)
Interstellar (re-run) (8.7)
The Keeper (8.0)
The Order (7.1)
The Return (6.6)
Wicked (8.1)
Other Movies Showing:
Black Cab (4.1)
Elevation (5.6)
Gladiator II (7.0)
Here (6.2)
Moana 2 (7.1)
Panda Plan (6.1)
Red One (6.7)
The Wild Robot (8.2)
Venom: The Last Dance (6.3)
The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.
Get ready for the Ya Hala Kuwait Shopping Festival, a massive 70-day initiative aimed at boosting the local economy while delivering an unforgettable shopping and entertainment experience. Whether you’re a local, resident, or Gulf tourist, this event has something for everyone.
What’s It About?
The festival’s goal is to stimulate Kuwait’s economy by enhancing commercial, tourism, and entertainment activities. From massive discounts and exclusive offers to exciting giveaways, the festival ensures every outing is a rewarding one.
Who’s Involved?
Expect participation from shopping malls, retail stores, restaurants, cafes, entertainment venues, and even cooperative societies. It’s a collaborative effort that brings together all sectors, including aviation, hotels, and small businesses, to offer something truly unique.
Why You Should Visit
The Kuwait Shopping Festival isn’t just about shopping—it’s a celebration of local culture, economic growth, and community spirit. It’s designed to support small and medium enterprises while creating a vibrant atmosphere that encourages domestic tourism.
Whether you’re looking for great deals, family entertainment, or a reason to explore Kuwait’s rich commercial and cultural offerings, this is the time to dive in.
Let the festivities begin! Keep an eye out for more updates and exclusive offers @yahalakuwait
Contrary to what some new media outlets are reporting, Wicked wasn’t technically banned in Kuwait. According to a contact at Cinescape, the censors requested cuts to certain dance scenes, unrelated to any LGBTQ+ characters. The studio refused these edits, which is why the film isn’t being shown in local theaters.
So similarly to when Barbie was released, if you’re in Kuwait and want to watch Wicked, you’re going to have to drive to Saudi to do that. Here are the three closest cinemas currently showing the movie:
Vox Cinemas
Location: Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia Google Maps
Distance: 2 Hours and 13 Minutes from borders
Muvi Cinemas
Location: Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia Google Maps
Distance: 2 Hours and 24 Minutes from borders
AMC Cinemas
Location: Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Google Maps
Distance: 3 Hours and 24 Minutes from borders
Alternatively, you can also just wait a bit until the film becomes available to rent and stream online, although that might not be as fun as a roadtrip. If you’ve never driven to Saudi before, it’s super easy and the roads are in great shape. You also don’t have to worry about visa since any resident of Kuwait can get one.
Ora has been one of my go-to Japanese spots since they first opened over a decade ago. They also happen to be conveniently located in the same building as my office in the City, so they’re also my favorite quick escape for lunch.
One of the things I love about Ora is how they give their interior a makeover and launch new menu items every season. And it’s that time again, they just launched their new Winter Menu.
The Winter Menu created by Ora’s head chef Mohammed Ansari, features 15 dishes that capture the essence of the season, with ingredients that highlight the rich, warming flavors of winter in Japan. From hot tapas to delicate sushi rolls with a winter twist, each dish is thoughtfully crafted to provide a cozy, satisfying experience.
Along with the winter menu, Ora will be introducing a new seasonal interior installation designed to complement the winter-inspired dining experience. If you’re a fan of their creative take on Japanese cuisine, head over to @ora.kw and experience the new winter offerings.
A few weeks ago I spotted a post by Gulf Bank on LinkedIn celebrating their 64 year anniversary. They had shared a few old photos but they were low-res and not really that great, so I decided I’d try and find some better ones, and I did.
According to Gulf Bank’s ‘About Us‘ page, the bank was founded in 1960. The page also mentions that in 1961, they hired architect Jean-Robert Delb to design their head office. While the building he designed is still their head office today, they only moved into it in September 1976, according to an old newspaper ad. Before that, they operated from a different head office.
Their original head office was designed in 1963 by Tony Irving and Gordon Jones of the Design Construction Group (DCG). The building was two floors and was composed of three separate buildings wrapped into one. The municipality for some reason had insisted that the owners of the units adjoining the bank adopt the identical architectural treatment, which is how we ended up with that iconic looking block.
Sadly, the original Gulf Bank head office building was recently demolished. It was the same building that had housed Richard’s Coffee and NIU, right across the street from Souk Mubarakia.
The photos above are from a 1972 issue of Aramco World and were taken by Burnett H. Moody. The black and white photo below was taken by Andy Warhol when he visited Kuwait.
The advert below was taken from Kuwait Times, September 1976 issue.
From all the issues in Kuwait, this is one they felt needed fixing? This was a pretty iconic mural, yes it was old, and the paint had faded, but that’s because it was painted over three decades ago. The mural had a purpose, and it meant something. Now it’s just a painting of a flag on a side of an old building.
Not to be confused with the Jahra Nature Reserves which I posted about the other day, the Jahra farms are a historical part of Jahra which I’ve been wanting to visit for years. Yesterday, I finally went, and I’m glad because they might not be around much longer.
Jahra started as a small oasis village known for its underground water and fertile soil. The residents cultivated the land leading it to become known as a notable trading point and stopping place on the way to Kuwait City. With the increase of agricultural production, the village started attracting bandits who would steal and destroy its crops. Eventually the Red Fort (also sometimes called the Red Palace) was built in 1896 to guard the village.
Ironically, because of the Red Fort, the historical farms might now be removed and replaced by new entertainment and shopping facilities as part of Jahra’s plan on attracting more tourists.
I was lucky enough to get a tour of the farms by the architect and Jahra native, Asaiel Alsaeed who also runs the account @jahra_village. I actually attended one of her talks on Jahra nearly 5 years ago, so it was pretty cool getting the tour by her. Unlike the farms in Wafra and Abdaly, the Jahra farms are situated right in the heart of the city. They’ve been fairly neglected, as farmers have long anticipated the government taking them over, leading to minimal investment in their upkeep. But that’s also part of their charm, some of the crumbling walls are so old that they were built with traditional materials: stone gathered from the sea and coated with thick mud plaster.
Walking around the farm fields and exploring them is pretty fun, and I’d recommend you visit and check them before they are torn down because there is nothing really like it in Kuwait. The farms are mostly all open and free to walk into, they aren’t the Disneyland farms of Abdaly and Wafra, so don’t expect food trucks or gift shops. There are a few wooden shacks next to the farms that sell vegetables, but that’s about it. The area we visited has around 10 farms next to each other, with some in better state than others. You’ll see water wells, streams and lots of greenery there, all while weirdly being surrounded by a bustling city. The view out the window of some of the homes in the surrounding area must be so unusual since they overlook these farm lands.
If you want to visit, the farms are around a 30 minute drive from the city. We parked outside Chili’s at “Awtad Mall” in Jahra and then crossed the street into the farms. Once you’re there, I recommend using Google Maps’ satellite view to explore the farms. There isn’t much signage, and you’ll often need to cross from one farm to another—or even through a farm—to get around. The farmers are friendly and welcoming, and they’re accustomed to visitors, including bird watchers. So if you’re looking for something new and different to do, head to Jahra.
AB Wellness is proud to be Kuwait’s first medical center dedicated to optimizing your health through cutting-edge solutions and holistic treatments. As a medical center, AB Wellness ensures you have access to a dedicated team of doctors and nurses, providing expert care at every step. With global partnerships, the center also brings top visiting doctors from around the world across various fields, offering a truly comprehensive approach to holistic health and the latest in wellness innovations.
With a focus on new and innovative wellness, AB Wellness offers three key categories: Recover, Renew, and Rejuvenate, each designed to enhance your well-being.
Recover emphasizes on healing and restoring the body through advanced therapies designed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve overall well-being. With treatments like Cryotherapy, Oxygen Chamber, Infrared Sauna, and Physiotherapy, it’s all about recovery and revitalization.
Renew on the other hand offers rejuvenating experiences aimed at boosting energy levels, detoxifying, and enhancing mental clarity. IV Drips, Sound Healing, and Lymphatic Drainage work to recharge your body and mind, leaving you feeling refreshed.
Finally, Rejuvenate is about indulgence and self-care, offering a range of luxurious treatments to enhance your beauty and well-being. From massages and facials to hair and body treatments, this category is designed to revitalize your appearance and provide a sense of relaxation.
To find out more, head over to @abwellnesskw or albannaywellness.net
Yesterday, the Environment Public Authority reopened the Jahra Nature Reserve to the public for the winter season. The reserve is considered to be the first eco-tourism project in Kuwait with the aim of increasing environmental awareness and appreciating the landscape.
Since it’s a reserve, visits are guided, and you’ll only have access to selected areas, with no wandering off on your own.The reserve has three observation outposts, and you’ll need to select one when booking your visit. Each visit is limited to an hour and a half.
The cost of visiting the reserve is KD10 for a group of up to 5 people, and increases the larger your group is. If you’re interested in visiting the nature reserve, you can book through the Sahel App, or through the EPA website.
Lots of events and markets taking place this weekend, below are my favorite ones.
Thursday, November 28
Snow White Pantomime
Murouj Market
Turbo Nights Car Show
Bogsha Market at Green Island
Long Live the Olive Tree Festival
Threads of Resilience Palestinian Exhibition
Friday, November 29
DAI Fall Festival & Market
Murouj Market
Turbo Nights Car Show
Bogsha Market at Green Island
Jazz Cafe Live
Long Live the Olive Tree Festival
Wellness Weekend & Market
Threads of Resilience Palestinian Exhibition
Saturday, November 30
Murouj Market
Turbo Nights Car Show
Bogsha Market at Green Island
Wellness Weekend & Market
Threads of Resilience Palestinian Exhibition
Shakshooka Market
What a week of shows, I watched both Silo and the new Dune: Prophecy this past week and damn both are so good, Dune especially, and especially especially Travis Fimmel, Ragnar from Vikings who I feel is playing the exact same whacky/crazy character but in Dune and I love it.
I was also sick earlier this week so ended up binge watching Elsbeth and Matlock. Both shows pretty similar kinda. I used to watch the old show Matlock so was curious how I’d find the new one and surprisingly it wasn’t too bad. Had fun binge watching all the episodes up to the latest one.
Let me know in the comments what you recently watched or planning to watch.
Movies at the Cinemas
The movies below are now showing at the local cinemas:
New This Week:
Black Cab (4.1)
Day of the Fight (6.7)
Elevation (5.6)
Here (6.2)
Moana 2 (7.1)
Other Movies Showing:
12 Angry Men (classic) (9.0)
Gladiator II (7.0)
Panda Plan (6.1)
Red One (6.7)
The Well (5.1)
The Wild Robot (8.2)
Venom: The Last Dance (6.3)
The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.
The popular Marina Hotel Kashta is back for a new season! Known for its beautiful location, charming setup, and wide range of amenities, it has become a favorite among guests over the years.
The kashta setup is located right on the beach, offering a breathtaking backdrop of Kuwait City and a serene view of the open sea.
You can book one of two daily sessions, the Sunset Kashta runs from 4 PM to 7 PM, and the Dinner Kashta from 7:30 PM to 11 PM. Each session offers a unique experience with different packages and prices:
Sunset Kashta
Time: 4PM to 7PM
Includes: A set menu with salad, pizza, sandwiches, fries, desserts, and a selection of cold and hot drinks.
Price: 14KD per person
Evening Kashta
Time: 7:30PM to 11PM
Includes: A buffet and live stations featuring salad, soup, pizza, pasta, vegetable biryani, shawarma, BBQ grills, fries, desserts, and a selection of cold and hot drinks.
Price: KD20 per person
They also offer private cabanas for groups of at least 5 people.
For bookings, visit the link in the @marinahotelkwt bio or call 60074802.
I had to take down my last post because it upset some important people involved in the event. At this point in my life, I don’t have the energy for unnecessary arguments, so I decided it’s best to move on.
Thanks for your understanding, and I appreciate your continued support.