Riyadh Park: Dessert First, Movie Later — A Family Night Out in Riyadh

The Night We Said Yes to Dessert First (and Saved a Small Fortune Doing It)

There’s something wonderfully chaotic about family nights out - the last-minute plan, the hungry negotiations, the “I don’t mind where we go” that’s always a lie. But last weekend, we tried something different.

Instead of defaulting to our usual haunts, I opened The Entertainer and searched what was nearby at Riyadh Park Mall. The plan? Let the offers decide. The result? A full evening at Riyadh Park — ice cream before dinner, Freakier Friday at the cinema, and brisket to finish. The perfect family night out in Riyadh — spontaneous, delicious, and surprisingly good value.

Cream Stone Creamery: Dessert First (Because Why Not?)

We kicked things off at Cream Stone Creamery, where dessert came before dinner .... and coffee too, because balance is everything.

A cheeky buy-one-get-one-free from The Entertainer made our rule-breaking feel surprisingly sensible. It’s one of those small Riyadh wins that makes you feel like you’ve outsmarted the system while happily spooning ice cream.

The kids went all in with their toppings: brownie chunks, crushed Oreos, rivers of fudge. By the time we left, we were technically full, but that didn’t stop the inevitable, “Can we still get popcorn?”(“No,” I said, channelling my inner grown-up. “We’re having dinner later.”)

Because sometimes you just need to watch someone fold brownies into ice cream, pick your flavour like it’s a life decision, and call it 'movie prep' ..... with a little help from The Entertainer.

Freakier Friday: Movie Magic for a Family Night Out in Riyadh

The film was brilliant - sharp, silly, and packed with all the chaos you’d expect from a body-swap comedy. A few clever updates, plenty of laughs, and enough heart to win over even the most reluctant tween. Jamie Lee Curtis was brilliant and beautiful — sharp and funny as ever — and Lindsay Lohan looked freakily young, as if she’s still somehow in 2003.

The VOX Cinema at Riyadh Park is still one of my favourites - spotless, often empty, comfortable, and blessedly well-run. Big screens, good sound, comfy seats, and that proper “night out” feeling without the city-centre faff.And yes, always bring something warm; the air-con could chill a polar bear.

Brisket: Early-Bird Heaven

When the gigantic onion rings arrive on their own butch chandelier, you know it’s serious.

After the credits rolled, we wandered over to Brisket, a first for us. The smoky aroma hit before we even got through the door.

We were, predictably, the only ones there at 6:30 p.m. No self-respecting local eats that early. The upside? Instant service, peace, and piping-hot food.

Ribs, burgers, sides - everything was spot-on. And yes, The Entertainer came out again for another buy-one-get-one-free. There’s something deeply satisfying about quietly saving money while everyone else pays full price.

Parking Notes (Because Riyadh Reality)

If you’re heading to Riyadh Park on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, skip the underground car park. Trust me, you’ll just end up doing laps, muttering “just one more level” until someone gives up.

Park outside instead. It’s faster, calmer, and the short walk in gives you a moment to take in the design - high ceilings, soft light, and that sense of space that makes it easy to linger.

A Small App, A Bigger Night

The real win wasn’t the discounts (though they were excellent). It was discovering new spots we’d never have tried otherwise and realising a great evening doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

The Entertainer just made it all feel a bit easier and a lot more fun.

If you fancy exploring more for less, have a scroll through The Entertainer app and see where it takes you next.