Of course! Buying a floor mirror in the Manama Souq is a great idea. It’s a place where you can find unique items and practice your bargaining skills.
Here is a comprehensive guide to help you with your purchase.
Best Places to Look Within the Souq
The Manama Souq is a maze of small streets, but for a floor mirror, you’ll want to focus on a few key areas:
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The Gold Souq Area: Don’t be fooled by the name. The streets branching off from the main gold souq are filled with homeware stores, furniture shops, and stores selling decorative items, including mirrors. This is your primary target area.
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Bab Al Bahrain Avenue: The main road leading from Bab Al Bahrain (the iconic entrance gate) has several larger home furnishing stores mixed in with the smaller shops. These might have a more curated selection.
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General Souq Alleyways: As you wander, keep an eye down side alleys. You’ll often find smaller shops tucked away that specialize in frames, glass, and mirrors.
What to Expect: Types of Mirrors
You will likely find a range of styles, from traditional to modern:
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Traditional/Arabesque: Look for mirrors with frames made of dark wood, often with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay (faloos), or with Islamic geometric patterns.
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Ornate/Gilded: Mirrors with gold or silver-colored frames, sometimes with baroque-style carvings.
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Modern/Simple: Sleek frames in black, white, or chrome, or even frameless leaning mirrors. These might be found in the newer, more boutique-like stores.
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Custom-Made: Some shops specialize in glass and mirrors and can cut a piece of mirror to any size and attach simple fixtures or a frame. This is a great option if you have a specific size in mind.
Price Range and Bargaining
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Prices vary wildly based on size, frame material, and craftsmanship. A simple, unframed mirror could start from 15-25 BHD (~$40-$65 USD). A large, ornate, framed mirror could easily cost 80-150 BHD (~$210-$400 USD) or more.
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BARGAINING IS EXPECTED. Do not pay the first price quoted.
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Start by offering 40-50% of the initial asking price.
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Be polite, smile, and be prepared to walk away. This is often when you get the “best final price.”
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Settling at 60-70% of the original price is usually a good deal.
Key Tips for Your Shopping Trip
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Cash is King: While some larger stores accept cards, small souq shops overwhelmingly prefer cash (Bahraini Dinar – BHD). Bring enough with you.
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Measure Your Space: Know the maximum height and width you can accommodate at home before you go. It’s easy to fall in love with a mirror that’s too big.
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Inspect Carefully: Check the mirror for any distortions, spots, or damage to the silvering (the backing). Examine the frame for cracks or poor craftsmanship.
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Think About Transport:
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Small Mirrors: You might be able to carry it in a taxi.
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Large Mirrors: This is the main challenge. Discuss delivery options with the shop before you buy. Many shops can arrange delivery for an extra fee (e.g., 5-10 BHD within Manama). Have your exact address ready.
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If you have a car, ensure it will fit. Bring blankets or padding to protect the mirror and your car interior.
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Go Early: The souq can get very hot and crowded in the afternoon. Mornings are more pleasant for shopping.
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Stay Hydrated: Carry a bottle of water with you.
What to Say (Basic Arabic Phrases Helpful for Bargaining)
While most shopkeepers speak English, using a little Arabic is polite and can help with bargaining.
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Hello: As-salamu alaykum
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How much?: Bekam? (بكم؟)
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Too expensive: Ghali awe (غالي قوي)
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Thank you: Shukran (شكرا)
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Can you lower the price?: Mumkin tinazil as-sir? (ممكن تنزل السعر؟)
If You Can’t Find It in the Souq
If you don’t have luck in the traditional souq, consider these modern alternatives in Manama:
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Home Centre: Located in various malls like City Centre Bahrain. Reliable for standard, modern mirrors at fixed prices.
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Pan Emirates: Another large home furnishing store with a good selection.
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IKANO (at the Bahrain Design District): Offers a range of stylish and affordable home decor, including mirrors.
Final Recommendation: Start your search in the streets around the Gold Souq. Be patient, explore the side alleys, don’t be afraid to ask, and always negotiate the price.
Enjoy your shopping adventure in the Manama Souq
Generally speaking, our order requirements are as follows: the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for large items is 50 pieces, for regular items it is 100 pieces, for small items it is 500 pieces, and for very small items (such as ceramic decorations) the MOQ is 1,000 pieces. Orders exceeding $100,000 will receive a 5% discount. The delivery timeline is determined based on the specific order quantity and production schedule. Typically, we are able to complete delivery within two months.
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