The BAGHA Club

'Journeys Within' photo exhibition to launch on Friday 17 June

2011-06-16T13:28:00.004+06:00

The three-week ‘Journeys Within’ photography exhibition by accomplished visual artist Shumon Ahmed will launch at the BAGHA Club at 19:00 on Friday 17 June. The images have been taken during Ahmed’s travels through Denmark, the United Kingdom and Bangladesh. They are explorations of the outside world and reflections of the self.

The event will include complimentary finger food. Cheers.

Bring an expat club card to enter.

Shumon Ahmed

Shumon Ahmed is a visual artist from Bangladesh, born in Dhaka in 1976. In spring 2008, he journeyed to Denmark to study photojournalism at the preeminent Danish School of Journalism. In 2009, he graduated in photography studies at the renowned Patshala South Asian Media Academy in Dhaka.

His works have run in print and online publications, and they have been featured in Asia’s biggest biennial photo festival, the Chobi Mela, in 2009, as well as the ‘150 Years of Photography from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh’ landmark exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery in London and the Fotomuseum in Zurich in 2010.

Shumon lives in Dhaka, and aside from teaching photography at Pathshala, works freelance while exploring the fusion between video and photography to vividly tell stories that are profoundly private and communal at the same time.

The BAGHA Entertainment Expo 2011 is coming to you on Friday 6 May!

2011-04-26T17:32:00.004+06:00

The BAGHA is preparing a massive entertainment expo and wants you there! Restaurants, tour operators, spas, and social groups will be showcasing their services to you in fun and creative ways.

Meanwhile, some awesome entertainers will be putting on one of the great shows of the year! Max Mystel, a magician coming to us from London, will be moving around the venue with his unique blend of street magic, card tricks and comedy.

The phenomenal Pandu White blues ensemble, fronted by Seth Blumberg, a former guitarist for Ike Turner, will be back for what should be another mind-blowing performance.

And finally, the renowned DJ Simon will be there to lead us through the rest of what we hope is an epic evening.

So come on. Sample the exquisite foods of Wasabi. Get your head massaged by reps of the Sawasdee Health Care Spa. Purchase wonderful toys from Pebble. Check out the river cruises with Contic Tours. And then get ready to laugh, dance, socialise and party.

This event is about connecting you with the good times around you. Help us make it big.

The event grounds open at 19:00
Entry is 500 taka
The gate closes at midnight
Entry is for people with expatriate club cards

Announcing BAGHA Unplugged November 2010

2010-11-04T10:17:00.005+06:00

Our first Unplugged event in June received an awesome response, with tunes that ranged from the soulful to the upbeat to the positively hilarious. It was so successful that we decided to do it again in August.

We were amazed. More than 150 people came to show their love for great music, great food and cocktails. And so, we are bringing back Unplugged for you on Thursday 11 November.

Expect three hours of music, a two-hour Happy Hour, Tex-Mex barbeque, and a midnight raffle with great prizes. This is pretty much everything you need for a good time. All you need to do is show up early to grab a seat and a table.

To make sure you can be part of the event, we suggest you pick up tickets (on sale from tonight) as soon as possible.

This Unplugged event is particularly special because it is a celebration of the annual, worldwide United Nations “Universal Children’s Day”. The JAAGO Foundation children’s charity has challenged people to organize fundraising events that will help the 280 underprivileged children at the JAAGO School in Rayer Bazar near Dhanmondi.

BAGHA Unplugged November 2010 is our answer to that challenge.

Our Unplugged events are about relaxing, singing, sharing the love of music with friends, and eating food cooked under the stars. There is no simpler, better way to enjoy life.

Don't miss BAGHA Unplugged November 2010.

~Tickets are 400 taka (BBQ separate). Funds will go to the JAAGO Foundation children’s charity.
~Show an expat club card to enter.

3 reasons to join the BAGHA's welcoming community

2010-10-12T17:47:00.001+06:00

If you to join a friendly and diverse community, check out the BAGHA Club.

You can swim, use the gym, receive tennis lessons, sip fresh coffee while enjoying the wireless Internet access, read books from our library, chat with the best staff in Dhaka, and mess around with the digital jukebox and karaoke system. You can spend an entire day here and still not get through everything that is on offer!

The great thing about the BAGHA is choice.

Our menu offers something for every kind of good time. Sizzling steaks. Barbeque chicken pizzas. Bacon sandwiches. The best and best-priced frozen daiquiris you will find anywhere. Shawarmas. Fish and chips. And awesome finger foods. This place is a treasure trove of satisfaction.

If you are new to Dhaka, visit the other eight international clubs, too. Check out their facilities. And spend some time getting a feel for each community because each place has its plus points. The Nordic Club is peaceful and offers great food. The British High Commission Club offers a wonderful pool and beautiful grounds.

The BAGHA is busy.

It is lively and exciting. You can meet people right away, which is great if you have just arrived. You can chat freely with fellow members who can help you settle down by pointing you in the right directions. All you have to do is say hello. And just so you know:

we process applications very quickly so you can get involved immediately. People have received their membership cards on the same day they applied! Just bring your EU passport with a visa, cash or chequebook, and two passport photographs. We will review your documents as soon as possible and call you when we have an answer for you.

You should choose a club that fits your wants. And if you want to settle down quickly and meet people easily, the BAGHA may be the place for you.

Think about joining us. Cheers.

- the BAGHA Club

Remember:

The great thing about the BAGHA Club is choice

The BAGHA is busy

We process membership applications very quickly

Announcing unique day trips for BAGHA members

2010-10-04T10:56:00.017+06:00

Bangladesh offers some unforgettable entertainment experiences, though finding them can be a challenge because of a lack of info and advertising. To make things easier, we are bringing entertainment to you in the form of day trips. Join us for our first, a sunset cruise with Contic River Cruises, on Saturday 16 October.

For more info about Contic, check out its Facebook page or Wikipedia article. Contic’s flagship is the B613, a luxurious, 92-foot wooden boat that boasts the largest sails in Bengal. For a glowing review about the sunset cruise on the B613, click here.

Vans will pick us up from the BAGHA at 15:00 on Saturday. We will then travel on an hour’s journey eastward to Savar, where we will first enjoy a tour of the Tara Tari shipyard. Some French engineers there will give us a tour and tell us about their groundbreaking work in Bangladesh.

After the tour, we will board the B613. It includes six double cabins, bathrooms, a kitchen, a great roof and an ever greater deck. Over the course of a few hours, you will have a chance to catch a glimpse of river life, watch the sun go down, and, finally, enjoy a fantastic feast.

We will then return to the boat yard, jump back in the vans, and be back at the BAGHA by 21:30.

The sunset cruise is a wonderful experience. Roughly half of the 30 available tickets are already gone, so move fast.

We hope this will be the start of many, many extraordinary day trips. In the meantime, if you are looking for what else is on offer in this beautiful country, we suggest a copy of the Bangladesh: Bradt Travel Guide. It is fantastic. If you are looking for something online, check out the Been There: Bangladesh Facebook page.

Relax, socialise and be active in a safe and welcoming environment

2010-09-01T11:58:00.002+06:00

The British Aid Guest House Association (BAGHA) Club was established in 1979. It is a part of the British High Commission estate and proudly serves a wonderfully-diverse mix of EU nationals.

The BAGHA is a place in which members can enjoy sports activities, relax and socialize in a safe and welcoming environment. It is one of nine international clubs in Dhaka and heartily welcomes members from other clubs every day of the week (after 18:30 on Fridays).

If you are interested in membership, please call 881 4644 or email manager@baghaclub.com. We will be happy to help you in any way we can.

Road 44, House 17, Gulshan (behind the back end of the Westin). If you are travelling south on Gulshan Avenue away from the Gulshan 2 intersection, turn right immediately after Movenpick and Fahim Music onto road 44 and go straight for 200 metres. The BAGHA will be on your right side.

Facilities

all-day restaurant
swimming pool and paddling pool
tennis court and tennis instructors
children’s play area
second-floor terrace
air-conditioned bar
flat-screen televisions for sports events
library and DVD library
digital jukebox and karaoke systems
wireless Internet access

Opening hours

06:30 to 23:00 on Sundays to Wednesdays
06:30 to 00:00 on Thursdays to Saturdays

Learn about the next big BAGHA idea: Unplugged

2010-08-19T17:16:00.006+06:00

In June, we hosted Colours: a film exhibition, barbeque and unplugged music event. The tunes ranged from the soulful to the upbeat to the positively hilarious. It received such a great response that we are hosting something similar again.

So, get ready for Unplugged. This time round, the music will start earlier, and the theme of the barbeque will be Tex Mex. We suggest that you arrive early (around 19:30) for a good seat, as things will get very busy very quickly.

We think we may be on to a winning formula here here. Great food. Great drink. Great music. And a worthy cause to support. If this event works out as well as the last, we will turn these unplugged music nights into regular monthly features, as the demand for this kind of chilled-out entertainment appears to be tremendous.

Once again, tickets are 400 taka (BBQ separate). Funds will go to the JAAGO Foundation children’s charity. Please help us spread the word.

Helping you settle down into life in Bangladesh

2010-08-01T12:04:00.004+06:00

We want to help you feel at home in Bangladesh. Probably the best thing you can do is visit the BAGHA and start chatting with our members, almost all of whom will be more than willing to point you in the right direction and give you ideas that can speed up your integration. The next best thing you can do is check out the links that we have provided below for you. If you can think of any other links that should be included, let us know. Enjoy.

The BAGHA Club Facebook page
A fun, easy way to keep in touch with the BAGHA Club community. Anyone can join, so please feel free to invite your friends and family.

The Been There: Bangladesh Facebook page
Maybe the best Facebook info resource for people who want to find out what is going on in Bangladesh.

HottDhaka.com
Great for restaurant menus. Some of the menus are old, so prices may be higher now.

Bangladesh: Bradt Travel Guide
The best offline resource for info of Bangladesh.

The Daily Star
The country’s largest English newspaper.

Nordic Club

Dutch Club

International Centre For Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDRB) Traveller’s Clinic

British High Commission Dhaka

Hurry for a chance to join the Colours worldwide film festival!

2010-06-20T16:12:00.017+06:00

Join us on Saturday 26 June, when we will host another exhibition of short films to help Big Blue Entertainment and Future Shorts Bangladesh raise funds for the JAAGO Foundation children's charity. The event will include unplugged music, a barbeque, a raffle, and the screening of the World Cup matches. We expect a busy, enjoyable evening.

Tickets are 400 taka (the barbeque is separate). The show will begin at 19:00. Great films, great music, great food. Space is limited downstairs for the films, so move quickly.

Thanks in advance to our raffle sponsors: Ms. Hiro Hisabayashi; Re:Fit fitness studio; Radisson Water Garden; Izumi; Contic Tours; and Nazimgarh Resorts.

Future Shorts is a a worldwide film festival as well as a distributor, sales agent, consultancy service and DVD label. It is recognised by filmmakers, the industry and press alike as the cutting-edge short film label. Its international network currently comprises of more than 60 cities and 18 countries worldwide conducting regular Future Shorts screenings. Future Shorts Exhibition aims to provide an alternative cinematic experience, where screenings are often accompanied by other multimedia elements including live music and rescores, performers and installations. Future Shorts Bangladesh is headed by film director Oniket Alam.

31 days of non-stop, big-screen World Cup 2010 action

2010-06-03T11:20:00.009+06:00

The BAGHA Club recently purchased two flat-screen televisions in preparation for theWorld Cup 2010, which will start on Friday 11 June and finish on Sunday 11 July. We enthusiastically look forward to a busy month of fun and football-focused frenzy.

The opening matches will see the home team, South Africa compete against Mexico, and Argentina compete against Nigeria, starting at 20:00 local time. You are warmly invited to the BAGHA Club on this first day of football. A Quiz Night will take place downstairs, too, so we anticipate a nice crowd.

England will play its first match, against the United States, at 00:30 local time on Sunday 13 June. England will play its second match, against Algeria, at 00:30 on Saturday 19 June.

Click here for a full list of the schedule on FIFA.com.

Who wants to wear a silly hat for a great cause?

2010-04-17T11:56:00.005+06:00

On Thursday 22 April, the BAGHA Club will host an evening of silliness to help raise money for the JAAGO Foundation children's charity. The idea is simple: bring some silly headgear, and be ready for an evening of pure fun and laughs.

The event will include performances from DJs Ryan and Shezzane, two young and respected artists who have collaborated in the past. Also included are a raffle for great prizes, a burger bar, and a photo booth.

The event will begin at 21:00 and end at 2:00 (last entry is 23:30). All proceeds will go to the JAAGO Foundation.

Joining in the Strange Love worldwide film festival

2010-02-27T11:44:00.001+06:00

For the first time, the BAGHA will act as host of a monthly worldwide film festival that is organised by Future Shorts, the world's largest short film network. Short films that revolve around the title theme of Strange Love will be shown over 70-80 minutes. Some will make you think, some will make you laugh, and some will make you squirm in your seat. That’s the idea.

Future Shorts is a short film network, a festival and a DVD label. It accepts submissions from film directors around the world and creates fascinating compilations each month based on one theme. Future Shorts Bangladesh is the local chapter of this worldwide organisation.

Once again, funds from the event will be donated to the JAAGO Foundation children’s charity.

Sponsors this time round include Etihad Airways, Contic Tours, the Radisson Water Garden Hotel, the Re:Fit fitness studio and the Vietnamese Le Saigon restaurant.

Big Blue Entertainment is providing ad support.

Tickets are 400 taka. Don’t miss it.

And we are back online

2010-02-26T11:44:00.000+06:00

The BAGHA Club website has been offline since 22 March 2009. After a break of a little less than a year, it is back today, 27 February 2010. Feel free to contact us with your suggestions for improvement.

18 reasons to join our European Brunch

2009-03-22T17:06:00.012+06:00

On Friday 27 March, we will host a European Brunch downstairs from 11:00 for anyone who is welcome. The selection of food from our chefs is wonderful, and we hope you will join us for this experimental event with your friends and family. The buffet will be available from 11:00 until 2:00. Eat as much as you like for only 600 taka.

Finger foods: Baguette, Banderillas Of Pickled Onions & Olives, British Cucumber-Mint Sandwich Bites, Chilled Lettuce & Tomatoes, Platter Of Roasted Peppers, Roasted Garlic Cloves, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Marinated Olives

Accompaniments: Olive tapenade, Lemon-Basil Pesto, Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil

German Potato Salad, Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Spaghetti, Stuffed Peppers, Stuffed Tomatoes

British Scones, Swiss Chocolate Truffles

On the same day, we will also host a Bridge Tournament at 14:00 upstairs. Competitors will be asked to pay a 300-taka entry fee, the proceeds of which will go to the winning pair.

Saturday 28/3: Five-a-side Futsal Tournament. 900 taka per player, evening BBQ included. Put together a team of up to 8 players, register via email, start practicing, and show up before 11:00.

Order tickets today for round two of our gourmet Sampler Dinner

2009-03-11T14:12:00.006+06:00

Our chefs are ready for another sampler dinner! Join us on Wednesday 18 March for the chance to try out a wonderful range of dishes that will be on offer. Please purchase tickets in advance so we have an idea of how much food to prepare.

Apple, Pineapple & Mint Juice
Cheddar, Leek & Potato Soup
Crispy Green Salad With Lemon-Garlic-Mustard Vinaigrette
Potato Skins With Salsa & Cumin-Garlic Yoghurt
Jamaican-Style Jerk Chicken With Pineapple Sauce
Chocolate & Cointreau Truffles

We cannot wait.

Guaranteed good times as we celebrate 30 years of operations

2009-02-26T12:12:00.015+06:00

The BAGHA Club was established in 1979 by representatives of the Overseas Development Authority, now known as the Department for International Development [DFID]. On Friday 6 March 2009, it will celebrate 30 years of rich, colourful history.

We expect 250-300 visitors, who will enjoy some quick speeches about the Club and some amusing statistics about how many members have passed through the Club and how many drinks have passed through our members, etc, followed by music from The Jazzy Chopsticks at 9. Then at 11, DJ Simon will begin dance set that will include music from 1979 to the present. Somewhere in between, we will host a raffle for some great prizes.

The BAGHA is here because of its staff and its members. Some of them have been with us for the entire 30 years! For those individuals, we will be giving away some special Ironman prizes before the party really kicks off.

A burger & hot dog stand will sell well-priced, filling and fantastic foods throughout the night. Veggie options will be available.

Tickets are on sale at our upstairs bar for 700 taka. Pick some up for you, your friends and colleagues. On the night, we will sell event t-shirts, the proceeds of which, along with the proceeds from the raffle ticket sales, will go into the Club's charity fund. Help us spread the word.

If you'd like more info about the event, please call 881 4644 or email manager@baghaclub.com

~19:30 reception

~quick speeches from honoured guests

~prizes for the longest-standing staff and members

~21:00 performance by The Jazzy Chopsticks

~raffle for some wonderful prizes

~23:00 DJ Simon dance set of music from 1979 to the present

~burger & hot dog stand

Event follow-up written on 8 March 2008...

The BAGHA Club enjoyed a wonderful 30th anniversary celebration on Friday 6 March. Roughly 250 guests attended and enjoyed a performance by well-known band The Jazzy Chopsticks and DJ Simon. Mike Hughes, who will soon be leaving the country after 10 years, was our Master Of Ceremonies and offered some incredibly amusing statistics related to the Club's history.

It was a wonderful, wonderful evening.

Don't miss a chance to dine in style at our first gourmet Sampler Dinner

2009-01-03T17:56:00.003+06:00

On Saturday 10 January, the BAGHA will host its first gourmet Sampler Dinner. Our chefs will offer a selection of wonderful new dishes that primarily comprise local, natural, fresh ingredients. The items that receive the best response will be added to our a la carte menu. Tickets are only 600 taka.

Take a look at the menu. If you are interested, get in touch with the office before Wednesday.

Apple, Pineapple & Mint Juice

Pumpkin, Lemongrass & Ginger Soup

Green Salad With Pineapple-Honey Vinaigrette

Prawns In Lime, Garlic & Coriander

Spicy Chicken Shawarma With Mint Yoghurt

Banana Spring Rolls

Look back at what happened here in 2008: lots of good memories

2009-01-02T10:55:00.007+06:00

Friday 11 January

Welcome Back To Dhak-aargh!

Friday 25 January

Burns Supper

Thursday 14 February

Valentine's Day Party

Saturday 15 March

St. Paddy's Celebration

Thursday 10 April

An Arabian Night

Friday 25 April

Four Men & A Dog concert

Wednesday 21 May

Champions' League Final

Friday 30 May

pool,food&musicBASH

Saturday 31 May

Annual General Meeting

Friday 20 June

Summer Solstice

Thursday 7 August

From the BHC to the BAGHA

Thursday 21 August

Funky Hat Party

Friday 26 September

The BAGHA Club Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament

Friday 5 September

Mikey Leung & Belinda Meggitt Photo Exhibition

Friday 12 September

Kickback

Thursday 25 September

Steak Night

Friday 24 October

Duplex

Friday 31 October

Halloween Special

Saturday 1 November

Kings Of The Cage futsal tournament

Saturday 8 November

POOLside

Thursday 13 November

iBagha

Tuesday 18 November

Kebab Night

Friday 21 November

Stop The Traffic chocolate fondue party

Wednesday 3 December

Development Dinner

Thursday 4 December

Girls' Night Out

Wednesday 24 December

Deshi Wonderland

Celebrating diversity at the Around The World event

2008-12-17T14:51:00.014+06:00

We are organising this event to celebrate the diversity of the city's international community. Food and drinks will be part of the night's festivities. We hope you can find a love for new tastes before our DJ enters and performs his international beats set.

Get tickets now and help us start spreading the word.

~19:30 reception, 20:00 MC welcome announcement

~International Beats Set by DJ at 22:00

~food from around the world included with ticket

~themed bars

~several dance acts

~raffle for great prizes throughout the evening

~dress: your national dress, something that represents your culture or the colours of your national flag

Event follow-up written on Friday 16 January...

Last night, nearly 300 guests joined us for a truly wonderful event. Many thanks to the people who made it happen:

WSP for its sponsorship
Conveyor Logistics for its sponsorship
Emirates Airways for providing the grand raffle prize of two return tickets to Dubai
Sabir Traders Limited for providing several fantastic raffle prizes
Hiro Hisabayashi and her dance group, Salsa International Dhaka
Mikey Leung for the photographs of Bangladesh
SAR International for providing the T-shirts

Through the raffle ticket sales and t-shirt sales, we raised more than 70,000 taka for The Dhaka Project, a non-profit organisation that provides food, education, healthcare and shelter to slum-dwellers of the city.

Preparations are now underway for our next massive event: the 30th anniversary celebration, to be held on Friday 6 March.

The wonders of the ubiquitous kebab

2008-12-15T17:46:00.007+06:00

Last month, we hosted a Kebab Night. It was so well-received, we thought we would write an entry that includes some info from the research that we conducted in preparation for it. At the bottom of the post is the menu of kebabs that we served on the evening.

The kebab, AKA kabob, kibob, kebhav, and kephav. World famous. The term refers to a variety of meat dishes found in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, African, Central Asian and South Asian cuisine, almost always consisting of a grilled meats served on a stick. Simple and fantastic. Generally, kebabs include lamb or beef, though others make use of goat, chicken, fish and shellfish. Due to the origins of many kebab recipes in predominantly Muslim or Jewish regions, pork kebabs are not commonplace, though they can be found, for example, throughout India.

The simplicity of roasting meat on sticks over an open fire has resulted in worldwide variations on the same basic idea, and this method of cooking most probably became vastly popular around the globe due to the relatively small amount of cooking time, preparation and energy such as fuel or oil - cubes of meat cook quickly over a small flame. Much literature points to Turkish soldiers roasting meats on their swords as the birth of the kebab, though evidence shows shish kebab being cooked in Greece as early as the 8th century BC.

What many North Americans refer to as kebab is actually shish kebab - its translation in Turkish is “skewered grill-meat - and generally consists of lamb or beef, tomatoes, capsicum and onions threaded onto a skewer, though other common vegetables include eggplant, mushrooms and pickles. Variations on the shish kebab include the Greek souvlaki, the Russian shashlik, the French brochette, the Spanish pinchito, the Southeast Asian satay, the India kathi, and the Brazilian espetinho.

And what it is commonly known in the UK and Australia as kebab is actually döner kebab - its translation in Turkish is “rotating grill-meat” - and with variations in the Greek gyro and the Middle Eastern shawarma. Döner kebab is most popularly served in pita bread with salad. Other popular kebab include the chelow kebab - meat served with saffron rice - which is the national dish of Iran, the shami lamb kebab from India, and the adana kebab, which is minced lamb served on pita with onions. Today, though, we’ll be serving you worldwide variations on the shish kebab with some wonderful accompaniments.

Pork French Brochette With Baguette

Pork Spanish Pinchitos

Mediterranean Beef Kofta With Tzatziki And Pita Bread

Indonesian Chicken Sate With Peanut Sauce And Raw Onions And Cucumbers

Indian Chicken Tikka With Mint Yoghurt And Onions In Vinegar

Turkish Beef Shish Kebab With Yoghurt And Pita Bread

Vegetable Kebab

Fruit Kebab

iThink, therefore, iBagha

2008-11-10T20:52:00.005+06:00

The Club has been extremely busy over the last few weeks. Many thanks to those who have attended the Kings OF The Cage futsal tournament, the Halloween gathering, and Duplex. This Thursday, we are bringing you something really unique: iBagha.

Announcing two floors packed with entertainment at Duplex

2008-10-16T14:53:00.010+06:00

du-plex [doo-pleks] - noun - building divided into two units

We are the only international club in Dhaka with two party-friendly floors. On Friday 24 October, we will be making the most of them.

Downstairs: drink, dance, party

Upstairs: eat, lounge, chill

800 taka gets you entrance to the party, a free drink & a raffle ticket. The grand prize of the raffle is two return tickets Kong, kindly provided by Dragonair. You can win big just by showing up.

Tickets are on sale. The first 20 people to buy one get a free BAGHA t-shirt. Spread the word.

~fantastic BBQ all night

~8-9 Happy Hour

~DJ @ 9

~prizes given away throughout the evening

~bring that expat club card to enter

Because everybody loves tapas: our new snacks menu

2008-10-16T14:50:00.005+06:00

We are proud to introduce our snacks & appetizers menu that offers a tremendous range of stuff to try while you enjoy refreshments at the bar. This is an ongoing experiment, and we are looking for your feedback. Over time, we will cut down this menu and keep the most popular items.

Next time you are at the BAGHA, ask for a copy of this new menu. Let us know what you think.

£1.10 each

vegetable platter. with thousand island or hummus

baguette with olive oil & balsamic vinegar

roasted potatoes in a basket

garlic-chilli linguini

garlic potato salad

tzatziki

fat chips

chips

£1.50 each

potato wedges

welsh rarebit

garlic olives

£2 each

hummus

bruschetta

salsa bruschetta

feta & capsicum bruschetta

mini chicken or beef pita pockets

mini kingfish fingers

mini chicken satay

shrimp cocktail

mexican shrimp cocktail

£2.50

fried prawns

batter-fried prawns

mini prawn pita pockets

kingfish cakes

lime-garlic prawns on baguette. with salsa

How our most popular restaurant item - the sizzling steak - just got even better

2008-10-08T10:28:00.012+06:00

Our classic sizzling beef fillet is by far our most popular menu item, and with good reason. We will go so far as to say it is one of the most enjoyable meals in the city.

And to make things even better, we now offer some alternatives to the classic.

Cheddar-melt. topped with a creamy cheddar-mushroom sauce

Mexicana. topped with a chunky salsa & diced olives

Surf ‘n’ Turf. served with golden fried shrimp

Bacon & Cheddar.

The Royale. the ultimate indulgence. topped with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, onions & a creamy cheddar-mushroom sauce

All steaks are served with your choice of two sides.

baby corn, salad, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, chips, jacket potato, potato salad or coleslaw

How to kick back in style at the BAGHA this September

2008-09-07T13:08:00.010+06:00

Sometimes, you want to a change from the general Thursday night bustle. Sometimes, you just need a bacon cheeseburger in one hand & a cocktail in the other while you sit on a couch & casually contemplate the busting of moves out on the dancefloor.

And so, we bring you Kickback.

6-8 happy hour

8-10 happy hour on cocktails

DJ @ 10

steak & burger grill all night

free entry before 9 (500 taka afterwards)

dress: something blue

bring an expat club card to enter

This is a party of comfort, lounge seating, and fine food and drink at reasonable prices. This is a night to feast, to drink, to dance. Teriyaki steaks, cheddamelt steaks, lemon pesto steaks & mushroom pork steaks. Hawaiian-style burgers, bacon burgers, chilli burgers, inside-out cheeseburgers & salsa burgers. Indulge. Get here early for free entry.

Events for you in August 2008

2008-08-02T15:17:00.010+06:00

Tuesday 5 August. Movie Night (not shown on the above calendar). "I'm Trying To Break Your Heart", a film about the band, Wilco, by Sam Jones. This event will be the first of its kind at the BAGHA. We'll be meeting downstairs around 20:00 to watch selected pieces of the movie on the project screen. Snacks - popcorn, nachos and hotdogs, of course - will be available, and we'll all be enjoying an extended Happy Hour that starts with the movie. Afterwards, anyone who wants to stick around for a chat about what we'll have watched is more than welcome.

We hope to make Movie Night a monthly or twice-monthly event, and we may even go as far as T-shirt production to help it gain some momentum. Of course, movie choices are heartily encouraged, and we'll have scored a victory if we eventually see some competition over what will be watched in future. Those with potential choices might be asked to explain the reasons for their selection and perhaps even asked to shape the event, rather than just pressing play. Hope you make it!

Thursday 7 August. From The BHC To The BAGHA (not shown on the above calendar). This event is most certainly the first of its kind. Last month, we suggested to the BHC the idea of co-hosting a mini-event, starting there and ending here, and we were given the go-ahead, so get ready for some extended Happy Hours, free snacks, a charity raffle there for some fun prizes, a trivia quiz here with some more fun prizes, and some great music spanning decades - all with a British theme.

Friday 8 August. The Quarter-To BBQ (not shown on the above calendar). Quarter-To's sixth BAGHA performance will coincide with a fantastic all-you-can-eat-create-your-own-meal Mongolian BBQ. All meals include a coconut filled with a double-shot of your choice of spirits (we suggest rum). Again, more extended Happy Hours. Should be an extremely relaxing way to spend a Friday evening.

Thursday 21 August. The Funky Hat Party. Get ready. It's going to be big. Bring your hats, your sense of humour, your friends and your dancing shoes. Each ticket costs 700 taka (on sale from noon tomorrow), which will include a free drink at the gate, so long as you bring that funky hat [prizes for the best]. More info about the event is to be posted here soon.

Sit with Lady Luck at the BAGHA Club Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament

2008-07-13T19:52:00.007+06:00

Test your luck at the first BAGHA Club Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Friday 25 July. The tournament starts at 4, as does the 4-hour Happy Hour. The BBQ starts at 7 – enjoy that free shot in the coconut that comes with your meal – and the bar closes late.

Card sharks, amateurs, novices, spectators and lovers of food and drink welcome. We expect a large crowd from the late afternoon until the late evening. If you think Lady Luck might be on your side that night, or if you want to cheer on your friends, or if you just want some great barbequed food, be here then.

To compete, register at our upstairs bar and pay 1500 taka. Prizes will be presented towards the end of the evening for the top 5 players. Bring an expat club card to enter.

Help us spread the word. For more info, call 881 4644 or email manager@baghaclub.com

Event follow-up written on 26 July 2008...

Last night's poker tournament was a tremendous success, with forty three competitors from around the international community! We will most definitely be repeating the event in future.

The final table of eight competitors became the stage for a long drama that unfolded over more than an hour, and a Nordic Club member took home the grand prize, followed by a BAGHA member finishing in second place.

Strain those brain cells at the Big Quiz this April

2008-05-21T14:45:00.002+06:00

On Wednesday 30 April, be here for The Big Quiz. Pick a team name, wear a team colour, and work with your mates to win money for a good cause - the winning team donates the money to a charity of choice. The quiz nights are always loads of fun, and this one should be especially so with an extended 18:00-20:00 Happy Hour, a special pub menu for the evening, and a late bar closing. The following day is May Day, so everyone should be able to enjoy a much-welcome three-day weekend.

Also on the cards is a May Day celebration geared towards families and young children. More details will be posted soon.

Swim, eat and dance at the pool,food&musicBASH

2008-05-16T12:34:00.013+06:00

Join us for the pool,food&musicBASH on Friday 30 May.

We will fire up the barbeque, which will serve hot dogs, burgers and shish kebabs. The food will be well-priced and cooked up quick, so come with an empty stomach.

Rapid Action Band will be on stage from 20:00, and DJ Simon will begin his set at 22:00.

Come early, come hungry, come thirsty, and bring those flipflops. Tickets are 700 taka, which comes with a free drink and a hotdog. Check out our Facebook Group page for more info.

Bring an expat club card to enter. Cheers.

Irish band Four Men & A Dog to play at the BAGHA!

2008-04-21T15:26:00.014+06:00

Renowned Irish folk band Four Men & A Dog are flying over to perform a series of unique one-time shows, one of them here at the Club on Friday 25 April! 300 tickets are on sale for 1500 taka each, and more than half of them have already been sold, so move quick if you'd like to attend. The band will be supported by local music ensemble, Purbo Poschim, and dance troupe, Nikkon. Many thanks to HELM, Chevron, Ranks ITT and Homebound for their sponsorship of this fantastic event.

Big screens, burgers from our barbecue, and the chance to see something unprecedented here in Dhaka, and a follow-up DVD of the event! Spread the word, buy tickets soon, and be here on Friday by 19:30.

Event follow-up written on 26 May 2008...

Last Friday, the BAGHA Club hosted its largest event in years! Well-known Irish folk band Four Men & A Dog was supported by local music ensemble, Purbo Poschim (which means East-West in Bangla), and dance troupe, Nikkon. Check out the photos from the event on our Facebook.com Group page - to view them, you'll need to join Facebook, a process that takes about two minutes.

A lot of great people deserve a big pat on the back for the amount of effort they put into the preparation of the show - organizers, performers, sponsors and the Club staff all worked successfully as a great machine that enabled one of the expatriate community's most unique-ever events to come to fruition. Thank you, and congratulations.

It was, in all respects, unbelievable, and everyone left the venue on a high with recollections of an unforgettable night. Let's hope for future events that can be as special.

Coming up on Wednesday is Quiz Night, and we hope you can attend what should turn into an evening of light-hearted, relaxing fun. "Strain that brain for charity!" And on this coming Friday, we'll be hosting the first Great British Sunday Roast (on a Friday) in months, so be here then!

Get ready for An Arabian Night

2008-04-06T15:04:00.006+06:00

On Thursday 11 April, join us for "An Arabian Night." Entry is free!

The first part of the evening will include a wonderful spread of food of Arabian cuisine. Familes are warmly invited.

Rapid Action Band will perform from 20:00, and DJ Simon will be on from 22:00, possibly followed by a special guest DJ. Dress fun, prepare to feast, and dance to beats from around the Middle East.

Join us on 9 April for the 2008 AGM

2008-04-01T14:49:00.001+06:00

Hey guys, the Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 April, a week from today. We hope you can attend.

It will be a chance to share your thoughts about the Club and to hear the opinions of your fellow members. Votings for the 2008/09 Committee will also take place, so come along, speak up, and give it a shot!

The meeting will begin at 18:30.

Coming up in 2008: the year of the BAGHA

2008-03-16T23:30:00.004+06:00

Saturday 5 April - FA Cup semi-finals, live band Quarter-To and a barbecue. Hope you can make it.

Thursday 10 April - An Arabian Night. Details will be posted soon.

Friday 25 April - Famous traditional Irish folk band Four Men And A Dog are flying over to give a unique one-time performance here at the Club! Tickets are on sale from 1 April, so move fast!

2008: the Year Of The BAGHA

2008-02-06T19:03:00.003+06:00

On 11 January, we hosted the extremely successful Welcome Back To Dhaka Party, one of the best nights the Club has seen in years. Then on the 25th, more than 100 guests attended our Burns Supper, a yearly event that celebrates the birth anniversary of the late and great Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

Super 8 Football tournament and BBQ on Saturday 9 February

8 teams, 5 players each (plus 2 subs), great food, live band in the evening, and Premier League on the big screen in the evening. For fans of food, drink and not-so-serious football. Put together a team, and register by email (manager@baghaclub.com).

Valentine's Day Party on Thursday 14 February

DJ Simon will be on from 10. Your 700 taka ticket gets you a free drink and snacks all night. It's going to be big, don't miss it.

Also scheduled: Monday 17 March Saint Patrick's Day Celebration & England v Rugby Six Nations on the big screen

Buy tickets today for the 250th celebration of the Burns Supper

2008-01-15T13:57:00.006+06:00

Join us next Friday for the annual Burns Supper, organized by the Dhaka Caledonian Society and this year hosted at the BAGHA Club. 180 tickets are available for 2500 taka each, and all proceeds go to charity. Expect some pipes and drums from the Bangladesh Rifles, followed by poetry from The Bard, a toast, a 3-course meal including haggis flown in from Scotland courtesy of British Airways, and a Scottish Ceilidh. Raffle tickets will be on sale, and you'll have the opportunity to win some truly fantastic prizes.

Tickets will be on sale from today at the BAGHA and BHC Club. Hope you can make one of the best events of the year.

An exciting glimpse at the future: events coming in 2008

2008-01-02T16:08:00.004+06:00

Welcome to the Year Of The BAGHA. Throughout 2008, we will be bringing you a tremendous range of unique events.

Welcome Back To Dhak-aargh! on Friday 11 January

Tickets will be 700 taka, which includes a drink and free snacks all night. DJ Simon will begin his set at 10, so expect some chill lounge beats to complement the plush settings.

250th anniversary of the Burns Supper to be celebrated on Friday 25 January

The world-renowned annual Burns Supper will be celebrated here on our tennis court. For only nine pounds, you will receive a three-course meal and a selection of drinks. Only 160 tickets are available. Call 881 4644 or email manager@baghaclub.com for details.

Celebrating Valentine's Day

Join us on Thursday 14 February for a large-scale celebration Valentine's Day. This will be the Club's first big event on its road 44 premises: free food, great service, multiple music acts and maybe some fire spinning.

BAGHA Club Facebook group

If you have not yet joined our Facebook Group already, check it out now. It is the easiest way to stay in touch with the Club community and find out which events are coming up in the near future.

Saying goodbye to '07, warming up to '08

2007-12-30T21:32:00.003+06:00

Free entry, free snacks, cheap drinks (happy hour from 6-10). Wherever you will be later that night, start here at the BAGHA.

Enjoying an evening in our garden

2007-11-28T14:33:00.003+06:00

Great food, cheap cocktails and free entry. Check out more info on our BAGHA Club Facebook Group page.

BAGHA Club B-team moves into the semi-finals

2007-11-28T14:25:00.002+06:00

The BAGHA Club B-team has moved on to the semi-finals, which will be played here against the Japanese Club on Monday 3 December. All members are warmly invited to show your support.

Move fast for tickets to our Great British Sunday Roast (On A Friday)

2007-11-28T14:18:00.004+06:00

1:00 to 3:00

5 pounds, 3.50 for children 12 and under

All expat club card holders welcome

Check out the new BAGHA Club Facebook Group

2007-11-21T01:02:00.003+06:00

The BAGHA Club Group Facebook page is growing, and we invite you to join. It's an easy way of staying in touch with the community and finding out what's going on at the Club. Its photo gallery is getting new additions all the time, and we welcome any submissions. Registration with Facebook is free and takes about three minutes. Hope to see you joining the group soon!

Join us for another spectacular rooftop BBQ

2007-11-14T18:55:00.003+06:00

Thursday 15 November

BBQ from 19: to 22:00
Bar closes at 1:00
4.50 pounds per person, 3 pounds for children 12 and under
Special 17:00 to 19:00 Happy Hour
All expat club card holders welcome
All-You-Can-Eat salad bar

Strain your brain at the October 2008 Quiz Night

2007-10-02T13:00:00.003+06:00

5 - 7:30 happy hour

quiz starts at 8

100 taka competition entry

teams of up to 6

pick a team name, wear a team colour, and come test your knowledge for charity

Announcing one of Dhaka's best-kept secrets: the BAGHA rooftop BBQ

2007-09-22T14:17:00.001+06:00

Saturday 29 September 2007

4.75, 3.25 vegetarian, 2.00 kids 12 and under

19:00 to 22:00

17:00 to 19:00 special Happy Hour

Dessert now included

Hope you can make it. All expat club card holders welcome.

Just out: the BAGHA Club Facebook group

2007-09-17T12:26:00.002+06:00

The Club now has a Facebook group. Use it to find info about upcoming events, download and upload photos, and communicate with other members of the community.

Registration with FaceBook is free. It is a fun, easy to use application that can help you easily find friends you know around the world. When registered, use the Search Engine to find the BAGHA Club.

Don't miss band Quarter-To's first gig

2007-08-24T09:30:00.004+06:00

Quarter-To will play their first gig at the BAGHA on Friday 31 August.

Music starts around 20:00, finishes around 21:30.
Free entry
Gate closes at 23:00
Kitchen closes at 23:00, bar closes at midnight

Special General Meeting called about possible EU membership category

2007-08-21T09:09:00.000+06:00

On Thursday 30 Auguset, members will vote on a motion to amend the Constitution: new Associate Member category open to 30 EU passport holders, who will be subject to the same regulations and fee structure as Special Members, and shall be non-voting members.

Starts at 18:30, same time as Happy Hour [snacks served]. Even if you can't attend the full meeting, do come and vote. Hope to see you tonight.

Meeting follow-up written on 1 September...

Two days ago, Club members voted unanimously on a motion to amend the Constitution, which will allow up to 30 EU passport holders to join as part of a new Associate Member category. Many thanks to those who voted.

Friday 24 August: BlueNote

2007-08-18T12:51:00.002+06:00

Yesterday's brunch buffet went well, so we're having another one on Friday 7 September. This Friday [the 24th], come for BlueNote, the best jazz & blues group in the city. Because of potential rain, we may put the stage downstairs or set up a marquee upstairs. Either way, come for some great music, food and wine.

Happy Hour 6:30 to 8:30
Music starts at 8
Kitchen open til 11
Bar open til 1

Weather [by Weatherbug]: Thunderstorms late. Partly sunny. 25° to 32° Celsius. Humidity 84%, comfort level 39° Celsius. Chance of precipitation 45%.

Introducing the BAGHA Friday brunch

2007-08-13T11:47:00.003+06:00

Come to the Club's first Friday Brunch of the year on 17 August. 3.75 pound all-you-can-eat, kids eat for 2.50. We will have a range of breakfast and brunch items on offer.

Cereal, yoghurts, fruits, juices, nice breads and hot menu items, including made-to-order omelettes and fried eggs. This all-you-can-eat offer will be available from 10:00 until 12:30.

We hope to turn Fridays into all-day occasions at the Club, and we think the brunch is a good way to start the mornings.

On Friday 24 August, band BlueNote will return for a candlelit evening of jazz and blues. On Friday 31 August, member Ben Snowdon and guest guitarist Isaac will perform.

Quiz Night on Wednesday 11 July

2007-07-10T10:26:00.001+06:00

Quiz Night 3 from 19:30 tomorrow night. The last two have gone extremely well, and we expect the third to be even better. Pick a team name, choose a team colour, and come test your knowledge.

100 taka competition entry fee. Teams of up to 6. 18:30 to 20:30 Happy Hour (snacks & finger foods served). The collected prize money goes to the winning team's charity of choice.

Be the first to sample items on our new menu

2007-07-04T10:31:00.003+06:00

The new restaurant menu will be launched on Wednesday 11 July. We are going with a soft launch that will last about a week, so bear with us while the cooks and waiters grow accustomed to the changes.

Some new items on offer:

Lemon & coriander hummus with lightly toasted pita bread

Spicy Mexican shrimp cocktail with Tabasco and olives

Hot roast beef & mustard sandwich on a French baguette

Cheddamelt beef fillet with fried onions

Mango & banana milkshake with vanilla ice cream

Pancakes with cinnamon-spiced apples and fresh cream

Stay up to date with our monthly calendar of events

2007-07-02T14:35:00.003+06:00

A calendar of events has been posted on the wall near the entrance to the Club building. Another copy has been framed near the upstairs outside bar.

Quiz Night 2 and Italian Night both successes

2007-06-17T09:12:00.001+06:00

Quiz Night 2 enjoyed a huge turnout, with 10 teams and somewhere between 50 to 60 participants! The next quiz will probably be scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month - so the next one is Wednesday 11 July.

Italian Night proved far more popular than the usual BBQ, with over 50 main courses sold. For only a few hundred taka, we transformed the downstairs dining area, and we think we'll just keep the candles, plants and dimmed lighting as standard. It also offered us an easy test run for future Saturday themed nights - should the next one be Mexican, Thai, Phillipino, American, French, Spanish? Let us know if you have any ideas.

Celebrating the longest day of 2007: the Solstice party

2007-06-14T12:20:00.000+06:00

Thursday 21 June 2007: the Solstice party

The celebration will begin at 18:48 sunset and will include fire spinning, cocktails, sangria and a BBQ. Theme: sun, fire & summer, so wear something bright and something cool (bring your sandals, sunglasses, shorts, swimsuits, lunghis, anything)!

Free entry. High temperatures (79-93 Fahrenheit, 26-34 Celsius) and showers are likely, so dressing down should help.

The return of the BAGHA Club Quiz Night

2007-06-10T14:43:00.002+06:00

Quiz Night is back this coming Wednesday, and we hope you can make it. Pick a team name, wear a team colour and test your knowledge! Entry fee to the competition is 100 taka per person, and the money will go to the winning team's charity of choice.

The last Quiz Night was a success with a decent turnout - let's see if we can get a larger crowd this time. The BHC Club also hosted a Quiz Night last month, and if they're up for it, we'll bring back the Bagha-BHC relationship that we enjoyed a few years back.

You don't need to register beforehand. Just show up for the Happy Hour and enjoy a good laugh before we head downstairs for the quiz. Happy Hour 18:30 to 20:30, finger foods served throughout. Teams of up to 5. Pick a name and colour. Quiz starts between 19:30 and 20:00.

Everyone loves Italian food, so...

2007-06-08T10:02:00.000+06:00

La Bella Notte on Friday 15 September 2007

A special Italian a la carte menu will be on offer for the evening. The evening starts around 19:00, and the kitchen closes at 22:00. Space may be tight, so book a table for you and your friends beforehand (500 taka). More details are available in the office.

Move quick for tickets to the return of band Blue Note

2007-06-04T10:47:00.007+06:00

Jazz and blue duo Blue Note will return for their second gig on Thursday 6 June. Blue Note has quickly established itself as the most light-hearted and relaxing live music ensemble in the city. They played here last month to a 100-strong crowd that helped to raise 30,000 taka for the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association Hostel Appeal. We hope to exceed that amount this weekend.

300 taka. Proceeds will go to the BNWLA Hostel Appeal.

250 taka for the Soup & Salad bar

18:30 Happy Hour

20:00 music (set 1)

21:00 intermission

21:30 music (set 2)

Event follow-up written on 8 June...

On Thursday 7 June, BlueNote returned for another night of jazz and blues. We sold roughly 90 tickets and raised 27,000 taka for the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association Hostel Appeal. Many thanks to everyone who showed their support.

Wireless Internet now available in our restaurant

2007-05-10T15:04:00.002+06:00

Bring your laptop, enjoy a fresh coffee, and tell your friends about the best place to get connected. Enjoy.

A fun afternoon for family members: creating a mural

2007-04-30T12:10:00.003+06:00

On Saturday 5 May, the BAGHA Club will host a mural painting afternoon so children can have the opportunity to colour their play area. The event will begin at 14:00. Children (and their parents) are warmly invited.

Introducing the BAGHA Club website

2007-04-29T10:25:00.004+06:00

We hope this website can become the fastest and easiest way for you to keep in touch with the community.

Blue Note to play at the BAGHA Club on Thursday 3 May

Our first live performance of 2007 will take place upstairs from 18:30 on 3 May. BlueNote, which is Andrew Morris on the sax and Saad Chowdhury on the piano, will play to raise funds for the BNWLA Hostel Appeal. Tickets are 300 taka, and soup and salad bar will be an additional 200 taka.

This is both the first music event and fundraising event in some time. You are warmly invited to show your support. By spreading the word of the event, you are helping Blue Note and us raise funds for the Hostel Appeal. The funds will help victims of domestic violence, trauma and rape.

Event follow-up written on 7 May...

On the first jazz & blues event at the new Club, BlueNote played to a roughly 100-strong, extremely appreciative crowd. Many, many thanks to the performers and the attendees.

Blue Note will be back on Thursday 7 June.

We want to make live music a regular feature at the BAGHA. If you know of any willing musicians, let us know.