In June last year, Saudi Arabia's first dog cafe opened in the coastal city of Khobar. The Barking Lot, where dog owners can enjoy a cup of coffee alongside their beloved furry friends, delighted animal lovers in a country where pets are generally barred from public places.
Now, a new branch has opened in Riyadh.
"I decided to do a place for pet owners where they can have the freedom to enjoy time with their dogs," Kuwaiti owner Dalal Al-Sharhan tells The National.
"If you own a dog, you can't go in the streets or public parks to walk them around or have fun with them. It's really forbidden here and it's against the law."
She first got the idea during a previous visit to the kingdom. "I came to Saudi Arabia for a visit with my dog, but wasn't allowed to walk on the beach with him," she told AFP after she opened the first branch.
"I was very sad and decided to help by opening a coffee shop for people who have dogs – and even for those who do not."
Hassan Al Amri, who lives in Riyadh, says the new venue has opened up possibilities for pet owners in the capital. "We didn't have that dog community before, but now we have this wonderful place where you can come and have fun with your family, your dogs and your pets, and where we can build a community and share experience."
Both cafes, which serve cold and hot drinks for humans, welcome male and female customers with dogs of all sizes in tow.
Riyadh resident Leah enjoys her time at the new brightly-hued branch, which opened in May. "We came here so he [her dog] could play with other dogs and it's so nice, and then I could have a drink too."
The Barking Lot is not just a cafe, either, as there's also a boutique with food and treats for pooches, plus a grooming station, where dogs and cats are treated to washes and blow-dries as part of the services offered.
Residents and families of all different backgrounds congregate at the cafe, particularly on weekends, when it's at its busiest. A security guard stands to attention at the entrance for crowd control and to ensure Covid-19 safety guidelines are being followed.
Al-Sharhan is pleased with the success she has seen with her two venues so far, and now has plans to expand to other areas of the kingdom, including the western region, which encompasses Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.
The Khobar branch operates from 2pm to midnight, while Riyadh is open 4pm to 1am. Both are closed on Mondays.
