By evening the heat has eased and Multan's streets fill again: families heading for the shrines, crowds gathering around the food stalls, cricket talk in the tea shops. Much of the night's activity here is built around eating, visiting religious sites and strolling, rather than around bars and clubs.
Multan suits visitors who want a calm, sociable evening rather than a late, loud one. The city's nightlife is largely family-oriented and centred on food streets, shrines and the riverbank. Alcohol is not part of the general scene; according to the sources, it is sold only at the Ramada and Sindbad Hotel, and to non-Muslims only.
1. The shrine circuit
Multan is known for its Sufi shrines, and visiting them is one of the main ways to spend an evening. The sources list a number of them, including the Shrine of Shah Rukne Alam and the Shrine of Shah Bahaudin Zikarya in Multan Fort, the Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardez inside Bohar Gate, the Tomb Mai Maharban near Chowk Fawara, the Shrine of Shah Shah Ali Akbar in Suraj Miani graveyard, the Shrine of Khawaja Awais Kagha and the Shrine of Bibi Pak Daman in Dera Basti graveyard, the Shrine of Inayat Wilayat, and the Shrine of Musa Pak Shaheed.
This suits a quiet, reflective evening rather than a late night out. The architecture ranges from roughly 400 to 1000 years old, so allow time to look as well as to sit.
2. Ghanta Ghar and the old city
The area around Ghanta Ghar, the Clock Tower, is a focus for sweet drinks and snacks in the evening. The sources single out RubRee, a sweet drink made with condensed milk, available on Ghanta Ghar, and Rus Milaee, a preparation of milk and sweets, best found near Ghanta Ghar and Hussain Agahi Bazar. Khara Soda is available at some herbalists in and around Ghanta Ghar.
It suits an unhurried wander with something sweet in hand. Note that both RubRee and Rus Milaee are flagged in the sources as dangerous for diabetics.
3. Dera Adda
Dera Adda is the minibus station and a practical starting point for an evening, with specialised drink shops nearby. The sources mention the Goli Wali Bottle, a soft drink bottle with a marble in it, available at these specialised shops at Dera Adda or in the old city.
It suits a quick stop on the way to or from somewhere else, or the start of a trip out towards the river.
4. Nawan Shehr
Nawan Shehr is where you go for street snacks. The sources recommend dahi ballay, sour curd with mixed vegetables, and gol gappay, and note that these are best had at the parking of a local cinema at Nawan Shehr.
It suits an early-evening food stop, the kind of thing to eat standing up before moving on.
5. The Chenab River bank
On the Multan to Muzzaffargarh highway, past the Chenab bridge, a trail to the left leads to a resort area known as Chenab Park, where boats leave at intervals. The sources describe it as a good site for camping and barbeque, and a family outing and picnic spot on occasions such as Eid and other national festivals. Fishing used to be possible here but no longer is.
It suits a daytime or early-evening family trip rather than a night out in the city. To get there, take a minibus towards Muzzaffargarh from Dera Adda and get off after crossing the Chenab bridge.
6. Cricket at the Multan Cricket Stadium
Cricket has a large following in Multan, and the sources note that the stadium is a traditional venue for a test match and a one-day international each cricket season, which runs from September to February in Pakistan. One-day internationals are well attended and can sell out; the sources suggest a day at the test for a more relaxed experience, with moderate crowds.
It suits an afternoon and early evening rather than a late night. The pitch is described as one of the flattest in the world, so batting tends to dominate.
How a night out unfolds
The sources do not give detailed timings for Multan's evenings. What they do indicate is that much of the activity is tied to food, shrines and family outings, with the riverbank and cricket both described as daytime or early-evening activities. Cricket season runs from September to February. Plan around an early meal and an unhurried wander rather than a late finish, and keep yourself hydrated, as the sources warn that temperatures can rise sharply.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Eid and other national festivals — the Chenab Park riverbank area is described as a picnic spot on these occasions.
- Cricket season, September to February — test matches and one-day internationals are played at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Can you drink alcohol in Multan?
According to the sources, alcohol is sold at the Ramada and Sindbad Hotel, and to non-Muslims only.
What should you drink instead?
Local and international soft drinks are available in almost every store and roadside shop, and bottled water is widely available. In summer you can try falsa cola, a red currant cola described as almost unique to Multan, or the Goli Wali Bottle at specialised drink shops at Dera Adda or in the old city.
What is there to eat in the evening?
Dahi ballay and gol gappay are recommended, best had at the parking of a local cinema at Nawan Shehr. Sweet drinks such as RubRee and Rus Milaee are found around Ghanta Ghar and Hussain Agahi Bazar.
Is Multan a late-night city?
The sources describe evenings built around shrines, food streets and family outings rather than bars or clubs, and give no indication of venues running late into the night.
Decide whether your evening is for shrines, snacks or the riverbank, and set out before the heat returns in the morning.