Categories
Information Kuwait

Kuwait Towers Garden Opens this Ramadan

The Kuwait Towers Garden, located right underneath the towers, is opening to the public for the first time. Previously, you needed a restaurant reservation or had to pay for access to the viewing deck to get into that area, but now the garden will be open to everyone.

Starting Ramadan and until May 14, access to the garden will be free. According to the organizers Hekaya World, the space will feature art, culture, and coffee. I passed by earlier today for a quick sneak peek and they were busy putting the final touches in place for tomorrow.

The acai spot Say Suco will also have a pop up under the tower with its own seating area.

The Kuwait Towers Garden has an instagram account if you want to check out, it’s @kuwaittowersgarden




Categories
Food & Drinks

Happy Shani Day!

Don’t forget to get your loved one a Shani today. shaniday.com




Categories
Events Things to do

Things to do in Kuwait this Weekend

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out the list below.

Thursday, February 12
Opening Up: Musicals in Celebration
Palestinian Cultural Exhibit
Salt Movies: Gran Turismo
Graish Market at Messilah Beach
The Bazaar at Hessah Plaza
Zai Ramadan Expo

Friday, February 13
Opening Up: Musicals in Celebration
Graish Market at Messilah Beach
The Bazaar at Hessah Plaza
GR Yaris Cup Race
Oil Pastels & Coffee
Cars & Coffee
Slice Party
Toastmasters Annual Speech Contest
Giant Kites Display

Saturday, February 14
trunk show pop-up
Storytelling: Breaking Limiting Beliefs
Graish Market at Messilah Beach
The Bazaar at Hessah Plaza
Zai Ramadan Expo
pre-Ramadan DAI StoryTime
Alandalus Market
A Cultural Talk by eL Seed




Categories
Dining Guide Food & Drinks

16 Romantic Valentine’s Dinners in Kuwait

Valentine’s is this weekend, so here’s a list of 16 romantic restaurants that have something planned for the occasion.

All the places shared are doing something for Valentine’s, whether it’s special set menus, live music, or decorations. I’ve also included the starting price, but keep in mind that some restaurants charge more for outdoor seating or offer different set menus, so it’s call the restaurant you’re interested in for more details.

Vigonovo
No minimum

JARS
From KD 25 per couple

Kei
From KD 45 per couple

Cantina
From KD 50 per couple

Roka
From KD 60 per couple

Al Boom
From KD 70 per couple

Paparazzi
From KD 70 per couple

Solange
From KD 80 per couple

Mei Li
From KD 90 per couple

Peacock
From KD 100 per couple

Dai Forni
From KD 110 per couple

Li Beirut
From KD 110 per couple

Republique
From KD 110 per couple

OFK
From KD 110 per couple

Sintoho
From KD 120 per couple

Ricardo
From KD 160 per couple




Categories
Promoted

Blocking Social Media for Kids in Kuwait

There has been a lot of news lately about countries banning social media access for children, mainly because of concerns around mental health, harmful content, cyberbullying, and how hard it has become for parents to manage online safety on their own. Although Kuwait hasn’t implemented a ban on social media access for children yet, Virgin Mobile Kuwait is one step ahead.

Virgin Mobile just launched a new mobile plan designed to offer a safer online experience for children called Aman (meaning safe in Arabic). Aman works at the network level, so it’s not an app or software you install, and there are no complicated device settings you need to deal with. Everything is handled automatically through the network, which makes online safety a lot easier for parents.

Once the Aman plan is active, popular social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and X are automatically restricted. You don’t have to do anything else from your end.

Another cool thing about the Aman plan is that it’s designed to improve over time with feedback from parents. That means parents can influence future updates, including which platforms or apps should be blocked next. It makes Aman feel less like a fixed product and more like something that grows and improves as families use it.

Also, just to be clear, this works on phones and home routers as well.

If you want to find out more about Virgin Mobile’s Aman plans, head over to @virginmobilekw




Categories
Information Movies

A New Cinema Brand is Coming to Kuwait

I recently found out that the UAE cinema brand Star Cinemas is planning to open in Kuwait. They currently operate in two markets, the UAE and Oman, with over 150 screens across both. They’ve been around since 1964, although this is the first time I’ve come across them, which probably has more to do with me not living in the UAE than them not being very popular.

For their first location, they’re planning to take over the old Cinescape space at Al Fanar Mall in Salmiya (pictured in this post).

From what I’ve been able to put together, they won’t be competing directly with the likes of Cinescape or VOX. Instead, they’re likely to go up against smaller cinema brands such as Sky Cinemas and Ozone Cinemas.

I wasn’t able to get a launch date from Star Cinemas, but I do know they’re currently looking for F&B partners for their concession stand, so I’m assuming it’s happening soon.

Cinescape at Al Fanar opened back in 1997 and was the first cinema in Kuwait to be located inside a mall. The location was extremely popular in the late 90s and early 2000s, before eventually closing last October.




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
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
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.