Bangladesh Shopping and nightlife

Shopping in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is famous for its pink pearls. Handloom fabrics, silks, printed saris, coconut masks, bamboo products, mother-of-pearl jewellery, leather crafts, wood and cane handicrafts and folk dolls are popular purchases. Duty-free shops are available in Dhaka and international airports and most hotels have their own shopping arcades.

In Dhaka, the Aarong store (part of a chain of outlets, which is an enterprise of BRAC – the largest non-governmental development organization in the world) is an excellent one-stop-shop for buying local, ethically produced products. Pottery, brass, Nakshikantha (a traditional form of embroidery) and Jamdani sarees are all for sale. There is also a branch in Chittagong.

There are several malls in Dhaka, Bashundhara City is especially popular, it houses 1,500 shops and has many food outlets and a multiplex cinema.

Shopping hours

Generally Sat-Thurs 0900-2000, Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-2000 (shops in tourist districts often stay open later).

Nightlife in Bangladesh

Leading hotels have bars, but Western-style nightclubs do not exist. The Westin hotel in Dhaka has a bar that offers live music and an open-air terrace. The Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel offers disco nights and the Balcony Bar which serves imported drinks. The Radisson Water Garden Hotel has the ‘Blaze Entertainment Lounge and Bar’ which has some offerings of live entertainment and billiards. Some of the international clubs are a good choice for drinks and entertainment, the Nordic Club for example is a good choice, but you need to be a member or to be invited.

Displays of local dance and music are occasionally to be seen, particularly during religious festivals. Traditional theatre can be seen in major cities and the Dhaka City Corporation has opened a modern theatre hall called Dhaka Mahanagor Natya Mancha. Traditional cultural performances may also be seen at Dhaka's Shilpakala Academy.