ESCAPE BLOG

Well yes you can, but it’s probably wise not to unless you have a death wish.

Partying is a no-no due to Saudi Arabia’s strict Islamic laws, where alcohol is banned and meetings between unrelated men and women just ain’t gonna happen (even if you’re clearly married you can still be questioned). The Mutawwa religious police patrol most public spaces looking for such meetings and it’s this intrusion into the personal lives of the Saudi people that’s really resented, particularly amongst the younger people. But, there’s a growing underground revolution amongst the younger people and ex-pats, if you know where to look…

In Saudi recently, a group of 20 men and women were arrested and sentenced to lashes and jail for “drinking, arranging for impudent party, mixed dancing and shooting a video for the party…” Of course, parties take place all the time but the consequences can be dire. If you really want to let your hair down then head instead to the liberal Bahrain, where drinking is legal and the Manama clubbing culture is booming amongst the large foreign population. Get there by car from Saudi via the King Fahd causeway and see the wilder side of a restricted Saudi culture in this party capital of the Middle East.

For Saudi males, Manama is paradise – they can get drunk, chat up women and even pick up a prostitute. Although it’s illegal, the ladies are freely available at a price. Manama offers a liberal, cosmopolitan vibe for the rebellious; getting hammered and getting laid (usually in that order) is easy and comes without fear of arrest or punishment.

There’s no wonder that young Saudi’s are flocking to par-tay in Bahrain.