Dilmun Club, Bahrain

The Dilmun Club… well, it’s been around for quite a while now since 1974, actually and over time it’s become one of those places everyone’s at least heard of. You’ll find it in Saar, which is only a short drive from Manama, but far enough out that it feels quieter, almost tucked away. It’s hard to pin down exactly what makes it popular. Partly the facilities, sure, but also the atmosphere. It isn’t overly formal or exclusive, which I think is why families, couples, and even solo members tend to feel comfortable here. Some come for the sports, others just want somewhere relaxed to spend a weekend afternoon. In the end, though, it’s more about the community than the bricks and mortar. People make the place what it is.

Honestly, there’s quite a bit of choice - almost more than you’d expect from a club. It really depends on what you’re in the mood for.

If you want something casual, The Bulls Head is a proper British-style pub live sports, hearty pub grub, a good place to unwind after work. Then there’s The Bistro, which feels a little more polished, more of a “take your time over dinner” sort of venue. Candles is well-loved for brunch and those themed dinner nights they put on now and then. And if you’ve got kids, Kids HQ makes life easier food, entertainment, somewhere for them to run around while you actually sit down for five minutes.

They also have regular specials - BBQ nights, curry evenings, even themed food events. I’ve found that half the time you don’t plan to go, but someone mentions it and suddenly you’re there.

This is where the club really spreads itself out. There’s quite a bit on offer, but you can dip in and out as much as you like.

The pools are probably the most used there’s a heated and chilled one, plus a separate pool for kids which makes sense given Bahrain’s weather. Sports are well covered too: squash and tennis courts, a 5-a-side astroturf football pitch, even horse riding stables and paddocks if that’s your thing.

For families, there are children’s playgrounds, a library, and gaming areas with pool tables and darts boards. It’s surprisingly easy to fill a weekend without ever leaving the grounds. That said, plenty of members barely touch the sports facilities. Some just come to sit by the pool or have lunch with friends which, honestly, feels just as valid.

The calendar’s pretty full most of the time. There are live music nights, DJ sets, and the occasional themed party if you like a bit of noise and energy. But there are quieter things too pub quizzes, bingo, karaoke. It isn’t all late nights and loud speakers.

Families get a lot of attention here. Seasonal events are a big deal: Christmas parties, Halloween celebrations, Easter egg hunts, summer fun days… they seem to know how to make those work without feeling repetitive.

Then there’s the wellness side, which has been growing lately yoga sessions, swimming lessons, tennis coaching. To be honest, there’s rarely a week when nothing’s happening. Sometimes you even end up staying longer than planned just because there’s something going on.

Membership is fairly straightforward, though there are a few options depending on what you need:

Family Membership - BD 195 per year, full access for everyone in the household

Single Membership - BD 175 per year, good if you’re joining on your own

Country Membership - BD 250 per year, designed for non-residents or frequent travellers, allowing up to 104 visits annually

All memberships come with access to the facilities, discounts on events, and reciprocal entry to partner clubs around the world.

That said, most people don’t join purely for the perks on paper. It ends up being more about having a place where you can do a bit of everything — or nothing at all if that’s what you want.