Founder of Hide Doha – the number one ranked nightclub in Qatar – award-winning DJ and Kristies Lab Qatar Country Director – Dimitri Khater masterfully blends music, luxury and entrepreneurship to redefine Qatar’s nightlife and luxury branding landscape. He spoke to FACT about his multiple passions.

You hold a BSc in Interior Architecture and a master’s in construction management. How did you go from that to becoming an award-winning DJ, what drove this passion?
Music and design are both art forms. Personally, I believe they speak the same creative language. This is why I feel so connected to everything that involves music, design and creative experiences. Their correlation has fundamentally shaped who I am today, teaching me to see patterns in chaos, find rhythm in structure and always create with both logic and soul. My work has always been about solving problems in a way that fits people’s personalities and lifestyles, making sure every detail resonates. I’ve always believed that music is one of the most powerful tools we have. It carries messages, brings joy and unites people beyond gender, culture or religion. Just like architecture, it builds harmony and connection. This dual perspective has forged my character: part precision, part passion, always seeking the balance between calculated design and spontaneous creativity. I started my DJ career at 12 years old and gained recognition at 18 and that is what continues to drive me. I don’t just follow the usual path. I love bringing this idea to life, in motion, in every challenge I take on.

What’s the style of music you’re best known for?
My musical journey has evolved across two distinct styles, each with its own identity. Early in my DJ career, I built my reputation on hip hop, R&B and soul. These genres shaped my first brand, Dimix, creating intimate, groove-driven experiences. As my involvement in electronic music emerged and grew, I launched a second brand under my Greek name, Dimitrios, to reflect this new energy. Now I carefully choose between both brands depending on the event’s vibe.

How did the idea of Hide Doha emerge from your unique blend of expertise as an architect, marketing and events management professional and award-winning DJ? Can you share how the concept came to life?
Hide started as a joke among friends but quickly became a mission to introduce Qatar to world-class electronic music – something unprecedented here. During the World Cup month alone, we hosted 30-plus international DJs such as Rampa, &ME, Adriatique, Tale of Us, Marco Carola and Blondish to name a few. We also welcomed guest legends, including Solomun and Amr Diab.
What began as a passion project soon evolved into Doha’s number one ranked nightclub, blending my diverse background in architecture, music and events into a singular vision. As both a DJ and designer, I wanted to create more than just a venue – I wanted to craft an immersive experience where cuttingedge sound, visionary artists and innovative design would come together. My architectural expertise allowed us to build Hide with precision, integrating world-class acoustics and lighting to transform the space into a sensory journey. Meanwhile, my experience as a DJ ensured that every detail – from the layout of the dance floor to the placement of the speakers – was optimised for both artists and guests. Beyond the design, Hide became a platform to connect Qatar with the global electronic music scene.

Hide Doha has hosted world-renowned artists. How have these performances shaped Hide Doha’s identity and how does being in Qatar provide a competitive advantage over other cities?
Hide Doha represents Qatar’s rising status as a global entertainment hub. Our unprecedented World Cup programming proved Doha could compete with established nightlife capitals. This wasn’t just about great events; it demonstrated how Qatar’s world-class infrastructure, multicultural energy and visionary leadership create the perfect ecosystem for next-level experiences. What sets us apart is Qatar’s unique convergence of ambition and opportunity, perfectly aligned with the nation’s 2030 Tourism Strategy, to become a global leader in luxury experiences and cultural tourism. The same visionary approach that brought the World Cup and Formula 1 to Doha now powers Hide’s rise – giving us access to world-class venues, seamless infrastructure and a government actively investing in entertainment as a key economic pillar.
Qatar’s tourism strategy transforms our competitive edge into a global advantage. While other cities struggle with logistics, we benefit from Hamad International’s connectivity (voted world’s best airport), a luxury hospitality sector ranked number one in the Middle East and year-round events that attract high-value travellers. Our central eight-hour flight radius to 80% of the world’s population means touring artists can perform in Doha between European and Asian legs. This ecosystem allows Hide to operate at a level others can’t match.
Our cutting-edge venue design incorporates technologies from the same providers used in Olympic ceremonies, while premium sound systems meet the exacting standards of artists who typically only play Ibiza or Coachella. It’s this combination – Qatar’s ambitious tourism vision paired with our executional excellence – that’s establishing Doha as the region’s undisputed capital of elite entertainment and sports events.
Moving forward, we’re expanding Qatar’s musical footprint through larger festivals, innovative collaborations and sustained international bookings.

Beyond your work in Doha’s nightlife scene, you are a Country Director of Kristies Lab in Qatar, a premier luxury events management and brand marketing agency. Can you share more about the agency’s vision, its journey to becoming a regional leader and your personal role in shaping its success?
Kristies Lab, founded by my elder sister Christina, has been collaborating with top-tier brands across the Middle East through her expertise in high-end marketing communications and events management. When establishing our Qatar branch, we merged her strategic brand vision with my specialisation in experiential design – creating a unique partnership that delivers both creative concepts and flawless execution. Our collaboration proved particularly valuable during Qatar’s transformative moments like the World Cup, where we became the preferred partner for international brands seeking authentic local impact. The agency’s strategic communications expertise ensured these projects weren’t just executed well but told compelling stories that resonated globally. As a core trusted partner, Kristies Lab, played a key role in realising my design vision for Hide, translating creative concepts into tangible experiences through meticulous event production and brand storytelling. What began as a sibling partnership has grown into a sought-after collaboration – known for creating immersive experiences that reflect Qatar’s emergence as a top-notch destination for luxury and culture.

As an entrepreneur, how do you juggle your diverse roles and what advice would you offer to budding entrepreneurs hoping to emulate your success? How has Qatar’s supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs and its commitment to innovation opened doors for businesses like yours?
From a young age, I heard entrepreneurs say, ‘If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life’ – but few mention how to turn that passion into a sustainable vision. I was fortunate to discover mine early: a fusion of music, events and architecture.
The key wasn’t just pursuing these interests separately but weaving them into a cohesive professional identity. This diversity isn’t fragmentation – it’s my competitive edge.
Whether designing Hide or orchestrating a luxury event with Kristies Lab, that multidisciplinary approach ensures precision and consistency in every project. To budding entrepreneurs, I’d say: Your unique blend of passions isn’t a distraction – it’s your signature. The challenge is to structure it. In Qatar, that ambition finds fertile ground. The nation’s commitment to innovation – from startup incubators to world-class infrastructure – empowers ventures like ours to think bigger. During the World Cup and ever since, we saw how Qatar’s ecosystem accelerates success: seamless licensing, global connectivity and a government that actively partners with entrepreneurs to elevate the country’s cultural footprint. My advice? Let Qatar’s momentum amplify your vision, but start with what sets your soul on fire. ✤