Places For a Unique Night Out in Karachi, Pakistan

Arena is Karachi’s one-stop shop for a bunch of fun indoor activities which include ice skating, rock climbing, bowling, arcade gaming, miniature golf and pool/snooker. There are food options at their restaurant-cum-cafe to satiate those hunger pangs that are likely to show up after a rigorous session of climbing and skating. Additionally, if all this wasn’t enough to excite they also offer the strategic and thrilling game of paintball to release your stress. So if you have a group with you, you could also get vicious at the colorful battle.

For all the board game enthusiasts out there Pi-Social is what dreams are made of. With over a 100 games to choose from while sipping on a warm cup of coffee, this cafe is great for a chilled night out with family or friends without ever being boring. Pick a game, make a team or play against the bar server to compete for a free drink. One entry ticket gets you unlimited access to try out the board games along with a free beverage from their special list.

It isn’t possible these days to be a citizen in Karachi and not ‘hang out’ or have tea at a Dhaba. Dhabas are roadside tea establishments that serve tea and other hot and cold beverages, along with different types of breads and sometimes even fast food. In recent years many vibrant and ‘new agey’ Dhabas have popped up around the city that are based on unique themes like Bob Marley, truck art, the local movie industry and Game of Thrones, which has inspired the creation on Westeros. However, what sets them apart from the strict competition is their menu. They are a modern day dhaba with a GoT twist, offering dragon stone oven baked pizzas, dragon balls and fire and chocolate brownies.

Karachi is blessed with a vast shoreline and it’s a must to make the most of it. If a nighttime swim at devil’s point under the full moon at 12 am is a bit too wild you can perhaps explore the waters through a boating expedition from Port Grand. The port offers a boat ride around the mangroves that line the Karachi coast, a speed boat ride and a special floating party deck when you have something special to celebrate. There is also an art lane at this sea-facing hub, where various artworks are displayed in an indoor plus outdoor gallery space. There is also a night bazar and many weekend attractions like magic shows, musical and dance performances and fire shows. Lastly, their wide array of restaurants are also worth checking out.

Karachiites need not look any further for some simple innocent fun than Seaview, aka Clifton Beach. The long shoreline of the beach is a sight to behold, unlike any other during sunsets as the sky is painted in hues of yellow, orange, pink and purple under the magical sight of the sun sinking in the Arabian sea. Along with the majestic view come activities like horse and camel rides, buggy rounds and flying lit-up plastic kites. A simple barefoot walk with good conversation while biting on some roasted corn sprinkled with Karachi-style lemon and chilli dressing is in itself a lovely and unique experience.

If you are movie buff you will definitely enjoy hanging out at the Stars Club opposite Metropole Hotel Karachi. The recently opened cultural club/restaurant/art hub is themed on the Pakistani entertainment industry and provides a platform for musicians, artists and poets to perform. They also screen local movies and music on their big screen and have a recording studio space for musicians and singers. Their beverages are named after local Pakistani artists, the stage and screen allows only content by local artists to be shared and their movie-themed menu is also named after local art and artisans. All in all, it’s a perfect spot to get in touch with Pakistan’s entertainment industry in a unique way.

Rock music lovers and fans of karaoke can head to one of the only places of its kind in Karachi. Located underground, Base Rock is one of the oldest and best places for open mic nights, performances and recording music because of its location’s acoustic benefits. They also provide drinks and snacks. Go there for the karaoke and stay for the performances that will be alternately taking place to serenade the audiences.

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