A narrow side street in Kut is a daily hub for tea and dominoes

WASIT — A narrow street branching off Al-Amil Square in central Kut has become known locally as “Retirees’ Street,” an unofficial title earned over decades of daily gatherings by elderly residents.

Though lacking formal signage, the street is a familiar destination for older men who meet each day to drink tea, play dominoes and socialize — a tradition dating back to the 1990s.

The area was originally developed in the 1960s as a public transportation hub, with buses connecting towns and subdistricts across Wasit governorate. Shops, cafés, and service stalls catered to commuters. But as public transit waned during the economic hardships of the 1990s, the street began to attract retirees seeking a routine and community.

“This street is part of Al-Amil Square,” said Faez Majid, a local shop owner. “In the 1960s, it was a transit station. But in the 1990s, during the economic downturn, retirees began gathering here regularly. That’s when it turned into a café-lined street. At one point, there were 11 cafés, and the street was closed off to vehicles.”

Today, the street remains busy from morning until evening. Hussein Ali, who runs a small stall selling prayer beads, said its location in the Al-Abbasiya neighborhood has become a fixture for locals.

“It used to be a bus lot, but now it’s permanently filled with retirees,” Ali told 964media. “They don’t have jobs, so they pass the time here in the cafés, talking, sipping tea, and playing dominoes.”

“I always tell them — jokingly, of course — that their presence and the crowding from domino games affects our business a little,” he added.