Passion, People, Purpose
by: BTM - Wed, 10 Dec 2025
From iconic events to custom cars, Bahraini dynamo Hisham ‘Alex’ Alkhowely opens up to Kristian Harrison about his decades spent energising the Kingdom’s social scene.
You’ve become known by several names throughout your career. Can you share the story behind them?
My official name is Hisham Alkhowely, but in our culture, we’re often known by the name of our eldest sonm, so I became Bu Albader. My most popular nickname, though, is ‘Alex.’ It came from Alex the dancing lion in the movie Madagascar. Friends thought the character’s energy and personality matched mine, and the name stuck.
Tell us a little about your roots; where are you originally from?
I’m proudly Bahraini, but my family originally came from the UAE, and our lineage traces back to Saudi Arabia. You could say I’m a blend of the region, with Bahrain becoming the place I truly call home.
For readers discovering you for the first time, how would you describe what you do professionally?
I’ve always seen myself as a jack of all trades. Throughout my life, I’ve worked across countless industries; advisory, business setup, investment consulting, financing, construction, architect’s designs and even automotive mechanics. I’ve worked closely with semi-government entities and major companies. I enjoy challenges, and I enjoy learning, so my professional journey has never been confined to one lane.
You’ve gained remarkable recognition over the years. What do you think has contributed the most to it?
I don’t really call it fame. I simply choose to live life with a ‘larger than life’ attitude, without ever compromising being a good person. I love meeting people from every background. I don’t see race, religion or nationality; I see human beings. I attend many events, meet many people, and I make a real effort to keep connections meaningful and positive. If someone needs help, whether I know them or not, I will always make time.
You’re often praised for your fitness and youthful energy. What’s your secret?
It’s mostly mental attitude. I’ve been active for many years, not for vanity but for health, both my family’s and my own. I believe in ‘healthy mind, healthy body.’ My emotional and mental state affect everything, so I choose positivity. Some say we only live once; some say we only die once. I believe we die every night when we sleep, and we live every morning when we wake up. So I choose to enjoy every day, no matter what it brings.
As one of Bahrain’s prominent figures in the entertainment and events space, how did your journey in the Kingdom begin?
My journey truly began when I opened Lamassy Corner. It was a recreational hall with billiards, arcade games, table tennis, foosball and a café. Social spaces are important in this region, and back then, there weren’t many. I wanted to create a place where everyone young or old could gather and enjoy themselves.
As for inspiration, Bahrain simply felt like home from day one. I fell in love with its people, culture and lifestyle. You won’t find another country more welcoming.
You’ve watched Bahrain’s entertainment scene grow over the years. How has it changed?
The growth has been exponential. When I first arrived, there were no lounges and only a handful of good clubs. Coffee shops were very traditional. As tourism grew, so did restaurants, nightlife and entertainment venues. Bahrain has always been a pioneer in oil, political reform, motorsports, MMA and much more. The entertainment industry followed the same pioneering spirit.
When curating an event, what’s your creative approach to designing the perfect experience?
I start by asking: “What will this event achieve after it’s over?” It’s still a business venture, so I look at value and impact. If I’m planning something like a beach party, I think of location first, then audience, suppliers, atmosphere and of course, music. But the ultimate question is: “How do I make this event unforgettable?” It doesn’t need a crazy budget just a unique touch that turns it into a lifelong memory for the attendees.
In your opinion, what separates an exceptional event from an average one in Bahrain?
Many factors matter, but the biggest one is the people who attend. They can make or break an event. You can have the perfect venue, music and production, but without the right crowd energy, it won’t shine.
Bahrain welcomes locals, expats and international visitors. How do you balance your events for such a diverse audience?
After the crowd, the second most important element is music. Music is global, what people love here is often what similar audiences love everywhere else. The same applies to sports, movies and entertainment. As for expats and visitors, Bahrain’s hospitality speaks for itself. They feel welcomed immediately, and once that happens, they naturally connect with the experience.
Looking ahead five to 10 years, how do you envision Bahrain’s entertainment scene developing and what role do you hope to play?
Bahrain has shifted its economy toward tourism and entertainment, and the transformation has been remarkable. The Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre, for example, rose quickly and completely changed the events landscape, bringing world-class artists including Metallica.
I see Bahrain becoming the regional hub for arts and entertainment. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s, vision is impressive, and the results speak for themselves. I hope to contribute to this growth and be remembered as someone behind some of the Kingdom’s most successful events.
Beyond the spotlight, you’re known for your passion for building cars. How did that start?
Ah, the hobby that empties bank accounts! My love for cars started early like many young men in the region. But loving cars and actually getting your hands dirty modifying them are two different worlds.
It began in the UAE. One of my early projects was a black Lamborghini Diablo in 1994. I designed the body kit myself and had it made from fibreglass at a local shop. Eventually, I even started designing my own car concepts. Back then, the custom scene wasn’t as developed, so bringing concepts to life was incredibly costly.
Moving to Bahrain changed that. Bahrainis are pioneers in automotive customisation. I built several cars and bikes here that ended up on the covers of local automotive magazines.
Tags #lamassy corner #bahrain interviews #bahrain nightlife #custom cars bahrain #bahraini entrepreneurs #bahrain entertainment scene #bahrain events #alex alkhowely #hisham alkhowely #btm december 2025
