Hospitality

The Secret to Happiness? It’s Called Party Time!

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2024

By Jay Wynne, Director of Secret Parties

There are many questions in life where the answer escapes us. We can spend our lives on a fruitless search for meaning where the result only yields more questions. What is the meaning of life? To be or not to be? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Thankfully, my assignment isn’t to tackle those and it’s a rather more familiar subject that I find myself pondering today.

The Secret to Happiness

If you asked a group of ten, one hundred, one million people what their secret to happiness is, I can almost guarantee that each answer would be unique and different to all of the others. Happiness is deeply personal to each individual and is, more often than not, in context and specific to their unique situation in life. So, while the billionaire owner of Amazon, Jeff Bezos’, version of happiness might be finding an even bigger, more shinier mega yacht (to clarify – that would make me happy too), another person’s version may simply be that they were able to put food on the table for their family.

Human Connection

Something that became abundantly clear in 2020 when the pandemic hit was that the vast majority of us crave human connection and togetherness. Not only do we crave it, we need it to survive. For some, the various lockdowns were a lonely time filled with empty days and little to no human contact. It is no surprise that in the 12 month period from 2020-2021 Zoom’s revenue amounted to $2.65 billion, up more than 300 percent from just $623 million the year before.

Though many of us may have used Zoom for various work calls, it felt that connecting with friends and family was the overwhelming use for the software in this period. A number of us will have stories about “virtual” quizzes, parties, weddings, birthdays and more during lockdown, tales of dancing in your living room while loved ones on the screen were doing the same. Technology was specifically developed for the purpose of people being able to party together in a virtual setting, over the fence “gatherings” with socially distanced neighbours became the norm.

So, why would we jump through these hoops and do these things simply to connect with others? Because the secret to happiness is human connection. And the greatest human connection is having fun together. Or in other words – partying.

Secret Parties

Our brand is parties. We exist for parties. What makes us happy…..is people, together, partying. And quite simply, we do what we do – because people love to party.

While I won’t go into the ins and outs with our own struggles of owning a party brand when partying was banned, we could not have been more certain of our purpose during that time.

So many of us can relate to the issues faced in this time, we remember going to bars with no music, sitting a metre apart, no dancing. But we couldn’t help ourselves, could we? No dancing standing up? No problem – waist up, seated, upper body dance moves only (admit it, we all did it)!

Our events were busy, in spite of these restrictions, in spite of the unnerving time we found ourselves in. And why? People sought fun, people sought togetherness, people sought happiness. Thankfully, it transpired that the secret to that happiness was, and still is, partying!

The Party

.When we develop and concept a new event, our number one objective is delivering an excellent customer experience. Of course, this is subjective and not everyone’s idea of the perfect day or night out is the same, but the formula remains the same. Our guests want a great party. They want to wake up the next day still buzzing from The Party, the group chat blowing up with stories surfacing from what happened at The Party. And then what happened at the After-Party.

Creating the perfect party is conducting an orchestra. Everything is designed and composed to reach the crescendo. All the moves made, and elements brought in are carefully thought of to induce happiness.

To make a great party, you’ve got to think about a perfect marriage of the senses. Our senses are the gateway to a great party.

Taste = food = happiness

Sight = visuals / entertainment / venue aesthetic = happiness

Touch = dancing = happiness

Sound = music = happiness

On a weekly and almost daily basis we witness guests in what appears to be their happiest state of being. Chatting, dancing, laughing, singing, smiling, flirting are just a handful of actions occurring as we scan the room at any of our events. Noise levels go through the roof with the sound of people having the time of their lives, laughing louder than they’ve ever laughed, creating memories with friends or loved ones they’ll remember forever.

While it would be impossible for me to generalise an entire world’s population and say we all have the same thoughts on what happiness is, I am fairly certain it is the minority that don’t enjoy a great party.

Dancing and singing are our global shared language of unity, togetherness and of course, happiness. Babies find their rhythm before they find their words. It is built within us to party.

To seek joy. To find happiness.

Hospitality

Stomping Grounds Marks International Coffee Day With Buy One, Get One Free Coffee and Bottomless Filter

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Stomping Grounds, the Aussie-owned café in Jumeirah 1, is marking International Coffee Day with an offer built around one simple idea: have another cup or three! On Thursday, 1 October 2026, guests who buy any coffee can pick one of two ways to keep going:

•Taking it away? Buy any coffee and get a second one of the same, free.
•Dining in? Enjoy bottomless filter coffee all day.

This year’s International Coffee Day is the first since the United Nations General Assembly formally recognised 1 October in March 2026, acknowledging the millions of farming households whose livelihoods depend on coffee.

“Every cup we pour started with one hardworking farmer and their family. They put in the hard yards all year, then we grind a few grams, push a couple buttons, pull a lever or two, draw a little leaf with the milk and take all the compliments, ” said Ryan Godinho, founder of Stomping Grounds. “So have another cup, ask the team where it came from, and give a quiet nod to everyone who got it here. We’ve been at this since 2015, and the best part is still seeing someone who popped in for a quick coffee settle in an hour later, second cup in hand, chatting with our team. That’s the whole idea.”

The coffee is roasted in Dubai by its partners at Specialty Batch, who have been pioneering the UAE’s specialty coffee scene since 2011 and have filled every grinder at Stomping Grounds since day one. The menu runs from its house blends through to rotating single origins and seasonal micro lots.

On the day, the filter brews will rotate through exceptional coffees from Brazil, Kenya, El Salvador and Colombia. Four countries, no passport required.

The baristas are trained, know their stuff and love a coffee chat. Guests can discover a new favourite micro lot or simply get a recommendation based on what they normally drink.

Whether you stick to your usual order, try something new or settle in for a bottomless cup of filter, it’s a good day to drink a little more and find out what you like.

About Stomping Grounds
Tucked away in Jumeirah 1, off the main roads and away from the malls, Stomping Grounds is an escape from the hustle: close enough to the water for a post coffee wander, far enough from the traffic that you can actually hear yourself think. Owner-operated since opening in 2015, it has a warm, rustic vibe, a menu built for people who properly enjoy eating, and an exceptional coffee programme roasted locally by Specialty Batch. It’s pet-friendly, so four-legged regulars are welcome too, and the team are switched on hospo professionals who care about the details, from the first coffee of the morning to the last plate out of the kitchen.

There’s plenty of free parking nearby, which makes life that much easier. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, a quick cuppa, a laptop session, or one of those “I’ll just pop in for a coffee” visits that somehow turns into brunch. Happens to the best of us.

Terms:
Valid Thursday, 1 October 2026 only, during opening hours. Takeaway: one free coffee per coffee purchased; the free coffee must be the same drink, same size, and
is served on the same visit. Bottomless filter coffee is for dine-in guests only and runs all day with any coffee purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers. While coffee stocks last.

Details
Location: Villa 98, 12D Street (corner of 51st Street), Jumeirah 1, Dubai | Phone: +971 4 344 4451 | Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:30am to 8pm; Friday-Sunday: 7:30am to 11pm | Instagram: instagram.com/stompinggroundsdxb | Website: stompinggrounds.me

Hospitality

Tbilisi Youth Art Market is launching its first exhibition project in Tbilisi

Published

4 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

TYAM – Tbilisi Youth Art Market is launching its first exhibition project in Tbilisi. The project brings together emerging and independent artists, galleries, collectors, cultural institutions, and international experts from the art world.

The event will take place from September 25–27, 2026, at the National Palace of Youth, on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. TYAM is a new platform created to support young and independent artists, increase their visibility, and establish connections with the broader art market.

The first edition brings together artists working in Georgia and abroad under the theme “COEXISTENCE.” The concept reflects the meeting of different generations, artistic practices, perspectives, and approaches within one shared creative space.

The programme includes an Art Market section, public and panel discussions featuring international guests, opportunities for professional networking and the development of an artistic network, as well as a special VIP programme. TYAM aims to become a new point of attraction for Georgia’s and the international creative community, connecting artists with collectors, galleries, institutions, and the wider public.

TYAM 2026, September 25–27, 2026
National Palace, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi Youth Art Market

Hospitality

COFFEE PLANET CELEBRATES SAUDI NATIONAL DAY WITH A TRIBUTE TO THE STORIES, MEMORIES AND PRIDE OF THE KINGDOM

Published

6 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This Saudi National Day, Coffee Planet is inviting customers to celebrate the Kingdom through the memories, messages and everyday moments that make it feel like home.

As part of the celebrations on 23 September, Coffee Planet cafés in Hail and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh, will be dressed for the occasion with Saudi flags and National Day decorations, creating a festive setting for customers to enjoy with friends and family.

At the centre of the celebration will be a Memory Board, where customers can leave a short message sharing their feelings, memories or pride for Saudi Arabia. The initiative will bring together personal reflections from visitors throughout the celebrations, creating a collective expression of what the Kingdom means to the people who live, work and spend time here.

Customers will also be invited to enjoy complimentary coffee and a dessert, adding to the relaxed National Day experience and giving visitors another reason to pause, gather and celebrate together.

The activation will take place at Garden Mall in Hail and KAFD in Riyadh, two locations that reflect the brand’s growing presence in the Kingdom.

For Coffee Planet, the National Day celebration is a natural extension of the role its cafés play in bringing people together, whether over a morning coffee, a catch-up with friends or a shared moment with family.

“Saudi National Day is about celebrating the Kingdom and the people who make it what it is,” said Allan Jones, Founder and Chairman of Coffee Planet. “We wanted to create an experience that gives our customers a chance to share their own memories and feelings of pride, while enjoying a simple moment together over coffee. It is a small gesture, but one that reflects the warmth and connection at the heart of the occasion.”

With Saudi Arabia’s coffee culture continuing to evolve, Coffee Planet has seen growing demand for premium specialty coffee and café experiences across the Kingdom.

“Saudi National Day is a proud moment for all of us at HB Brands and an opportunity to celebrate the Kingdom’s remarkable journey, its people, and its ambitions for the future,” said Abdullah Ihlaiel, Group Marketing & Business Development Director, HB Brands. “As Coffee Planet continues to grow in Saudi Arabia, our focus is not only on expanding the brand’s presence, but on building a meaningful connection with the communities we serve. We are proud to be part of this journey and to celebrate this special occasion together with our customers across the Kingdom.”

The celebration reflects the spirit of Saudi National Day 2026 and its theme, ‘Our Pride is in Our Nature’, while giving customers an opportunity to mark the occasion in a way that feels personal, social and rooted in community.