Visitors to the Cinema Association Alkhobar’s brand new Cinematheque Cafe can now sink their teeth into some sweet and savory snacks while sipping hot or cold beverages and indulging in all things cinema.
The storm brewing outside on Thursday night did not keep local cinema supporters from venturing into the building to witness the red ribbon cutting at the tiny new cafe.
Now, as you saunter into the premises, past the movie posters plastered on the walls, you can purchase something at the cafe and relax at one of the seating areas, or take your selection along with you while attending a scheduled workshop or panel discussion within the building.
If you are looking for a latte here, you are out of luck. The cafe does not offer any milk or even dairy-free beverages at all, only black coffee — hot or iced — and Saudi coffee, with or without dates. They have a selection of teas, too.
If you do not feel like having a caffeinated drink, the establishment serves sweet mocktails and fresh juices, but I did not indulge. The window display was quite extensive with sandwiches, croissants, cheesecake and doughnuts for sale.
We tried the chocolate chip cookie for SR9 ($2), which was recommended by the barista.
The large cookie had a good texture — not too chewy or rock hard like some others in the area. The price was also lower than those other cookies at nearby cafes. A big win for my taste buds.
There was popcorn for SR10 a pop. What was a pleasant surprise was to witness how bottled still water was SR1; SR5 for sparkling — a great price for the area.
The cafe is housed within the first association specifically for the cinema sector in the Kingdom, and the nonprofit civil organization has worked tirelessly to promote and spread film culture locally.
Officially registered in the summer of 2021, it opened its headquarters in 2024 in conjunction with the 10th edition of the Saudi Film Festival. Now it has a cafe for the very first time.
And timing is everything as locals are gearing up for a busy time ahead.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, is next month hosting the 12th edition of the SFF along with the Cinema Association at the nearby Ithra headquarters.
The Cinema Association’s headquarters can also now be a gathering point at which filmmakers, and those aspiring to enter the field, can sit and sip while discussing scripts or budgets or whatever movie magic they are brewing.
