Here's how to keep yourself entertained in Karachi this Ramazan

The holy month is upon us! Yes, the heat in all likelihood will roast you, you’ll be looking for ways to distract yourself from the constant hunger pangs and thirst, and though you may think that's hard to achieve -- considering most places are closed during the month of Ramazan -- we're here to tell you otherwise.

Whether it’s a spa treatment, the best iftar deals or movie timings at local cinemas, we’ve got you covered. Here’s some of what Karachi has to offer in Ramazan:

Eateries

Restaurants and cafes are usually closed pre-iftar, with many offering delivery or take-away services during the day, however, here's one that's an exception to that rule:

Lal's: The cafe will be open throughout the day as per its usual timings, 8am - 1am, serving everything on the menu. For those fasting, fear not, Lal's has you covered, it will start dine-in services 6 pm onwards, and is offering a three-tiered iftar platter for two along with entrées.

For those looking to satiate their rumbling stomachs with some good iftar, we’ve got a list of a few popular places and what they’re offering this month.

Butler's: These guys are definitely feeling the holy month, God bless them. They've got two sehri deals and three iftar deals.

Butler's will open at 4pm (ready for delivery and take-away), and close at 3.30 am. Sehri deals will be between 2am - 3.30am.

Fuschia: They will be open from 12 pm-12 am. Dine-in timings are 7 pm onwards and if you’re really craving their Crispy Chocolate Wontons, then you’re in luck, they’re delivering and offering take-away starting 12 pm.

Xander's: Sorry champ, no Ramazan deals being offered here. Xander's will be functional from 5pm - 12/1am, with an à la carte menu. Their take-away services will start post 5pm.

Espresso: Espresso has yet to announce any Ramazan deals. The cafe will open from 5.30pm - 2am.

Cafe Flo: They ain’t got no deals either. The restaurant will open for dine-in at 7.30 pm and close at midnight. Orders for delivery and take-away can be placed throughout the day and they’ll be ready by 6 pm.

Chairman Mao: Our favourite of the lot has to be Chairman Mao. Not only is it offering 50% off on your second order, but also every order after that. Pay full the first time around, and your orders thereafter will be half off. Want! Want! Want!

Delivery timings are 5 pm - 3 am, however, the Ramazan offer timings are between 9 pm and 3 am.

Rowtisserie: You pay full price for that succulent chicken, sir. There are no Ramazan deals being offered here. But we're not bummed, we still love the juicy, tender meat. Rowtisserie will be open from 12pm - 4am. Dine-in at 5pm, and before that? Well, you can opt for take-away or delivery.

Koel: Koel lovers, we've got bad news, the serene cafe will be closed from the 1st - 10th of Ramazan due to renovation. We're missing their shikanjabeen already!

Pompeii: No Ramazan deals at Pompeii, however they offer complimentary iftar for 2 after which they have an à la carte menu. They open doors at 7pm till midnight.

Eatfit: Yes, some people like their healthy food. Eatfit has scratched their regular menu for Ramazan and they have a new menu consisting of seven dishes and fruit chaat. They will start taking orders 11am onwards, for iftar the last order will be at 6pm. They will operate till 8pm.

If you’re looking for a bakery open during the day, look no further. The following will gladly accommodate you with their comprehensive list of food items:

Riding Hood Bakery: They know just how to curb our cravings. They've stocked up new items in their bakery, they've introduced a new dessert menu AND their pizzas are 50% off starting today. The best part? This will continue even after Ramazan.

Lal's patisserie: When does Lal's not have our backs? The bakery will be open from 8 am - 1 am throughout the month.

Necos: Because we always want healthy alternatives. Their bakery will be open from 9 am - 11 pm, and if you have transport issues, Necos is more than willing to deliver at your doorstep.

Okay, enough about food. This list is making us drool like a pack of hungry wolves.

Leisure

One would think that there aren’t many recreational activities happening in the city during this month. Well, we’d rather you bite your tongue before saying that. The following activities will have you occupied throughout Ramazan.

Movies: Who doesn't love going to the movies? Cinema-goers can enjoy their regular dose of reel entertainment, even in Ramazan.

Currently in cinemas are superhero flicks X-Men: Apocalypse and Captain America: Civil War, along with Warcraft and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. The Angry Birds Movie, The Jungle Book and Alice Through The Looking Glass can also keep you entertained while your tummy rumbles. For Bolly fans, Housefull 3 is running to packed houses, while local drama film Mah-e-Mir still has a show at Neuplex.

Upcoming films include TE3N on June 10; the Now You See Me sequel, Finding Dory and Bolly drama films Dhanak and Udta Punjab on June 17; the Independence Day sequel and Bolly thrillers 7 Hours To Go and Raman Raghav 2.0 on June 24.

Cinepax show timings start at 12.30pm and end at 11.30pm. The last pre-iftar show will screen at 3.30pm, post iftar screenings will resume at 8.45pm. If you're hoping to munch on popcorn or sip on Pepsi during the movie, you're out of luck, there will be no snacks pre-iftar.

Nueplex will start screening films at 12.30pm and close at midnight. The last pre iftar screening is at 5, post iftar you can catch films after 9pm.

Atrium will only screen two shows starting Tuesday till Thursday. The first and only show pre ifter is at 3.30 pm, and the last show post iftar starts after 10.30 (varying all three days).

Events

T2F: Karachi's cultural hotspot will close its doors till the 17th of June due to maintenance. Be sure to pen in 17th June and the 20th in your calendars because they’ve got some exciting events for Karachiites.

17th – 29th June: Poetry as Catharsis: Poetry Therapy Workshops from 3 pm - 5 pm. There are limited seats so you might want to hurry and register yourself!*

20th June: The Matchbox Summer Series 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm. It’s a four week program for children aged 6 - 14. Go on, register your child, it’s meant to foster innovation and invention in the lil ‘uns.

(17th June onwards their café will be open from 3 pm - 7 pm for take-away and their functioning hours will be 3 pm – 10 pm.)

Habib University: The university is holding an event that is meant to bridge the gap between civil society actors and technologists, encouraging collaboration on peace building activities.

10th – 12th June: ‘PeaceTech Exchange Karachi’ will take place at Habib University from 8 am – 6 pm. Submit your application and be a part of the workshop. (Psst, there’s prize money too).

F.C. Blaze: Interested in sports? Check out this upcoming tournament.

10th – 12th June: La Golazo Ramazan Night Futsal Tournament will start at 10 pm and end at 1 am. It’ll take place at Blaze Futsal Court. Why not go as a group and register with your friends? Sounds like it’ll be a fun weekend.

NAPA: If you need some soul music, look no further, Napa presents its spiritual journey with two nights of qawwali.

11th June and 2nd July: Bazm-e-Aqeedat will feature Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawal at NAPA in-house theatre from 11 pm – 2 am. Tickets are available at NAPA.

Omni Academy: Gear up to polish your communication skills with this upcoming event.

12th June: Communication Skill workshop will be held at Omni Academy from 9am-1 pm.

Malls:

Sometimes it’s best to go hit the mall, away from the heat, with an abundance of shops at your disposal. The food court will, of course, be closed till an hour or two before iftar, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself otherwise.

Ocean Mall: It'll be open from 12pm - 11pm during the first 10 days of Ramazan, after which the mall will extend its closing time to 1am, and roughly a week before Eid, it'll close at 4am.

All stores, theme park Atlantis, Bounce, and the supermarket will have mall timings. The food court will remain closed till iftar.

Dolmen Mall: All retail stores will open at 11am (or 3pm, depending on the day) and close an hour before. The food court will open at 6pm and close at 12/1 am, during the first few days of Ramazan, the closing time will be pushed by an hour after the 10th of Ramazan. In the last 10 days of Ramazan, the food court will close at 3am. Hyperstar will open at 10am, Sindbad will open at 2pm, and both will be open till mall closing.*

Salons:

Who doesn't love some pampering? We're all for it.

Blush: We cannot get over the generous deals this parlour is offering. They’ve got nine sweet deals for their customers this Ramazan. From facials, to extensio, to party make-up AND bridal packages, they’ve got you covered. The deal only lasts till the 18th of Ramazan, so go and book your appointments fast ladies!*

Raintree: Another favourite. This place is offering 50% off on every second service. However, this does not include Eminence and Moroccan services. The deal only lasts for the first 10 days of Ramazan.

Bina Khan Salon: Bina's ongoing Summer Cleanse will keep us beautiful through Ramazan. The deals cover haircuts, manicures and pedicures, including the limited edition Laura Mercier almond & honey variety.

Blu Rain: They haven’t got any Ramazan deals, but they’ve got two new June deals, which is practically the same thing. Manicure or blow-dry, be sure to check out this parlour. They will operate on their regular timings, 12-8pm.*

Oxygen Spa: If you’re looking to splurge, then go to Oxygen. Upon spending Rs5000 on their services, you have the option of a straight blow-dry or manicure and pedicure for free. Not bad at all. The spa will be open from 12.30-6pm

Peng’s: They haven’t got any deals as yet. Their working hours will be from 9.30am-8pm.

Meher’s: They won’t have any Ramazan deals, but their working hours will be from 11am – 5pm.

And that’s all, folks! We tried to cover as much as we could, hope this helps. Enjoy the holy month!

*For more details, please check out their Facebook page.