Hello m8,
About Dhahran nothing to do really, however if u can get a car and drive to Bahrain through the worlds longest bridge its a 30 min drive, which i believe will suit ur needs much more than dhahran and there is more night and social life out there...
JJs Irish Bar in Bahrain is the place to be usually and plenty of hotels to choose from there and a range of prices trust me u wil regret staying in dhahran and not going to bahrain and im that dead serious...
Security issues are over exaggerated in the states about the conditions in the mid east and most likely the airport securities will handle it and walking around in the street of Dhahran (nothin there anyway) is complelety safe m8 and cross the pond to bahrain it is also as safe especially the ppl of bahrain r more welcoming than their saudi counterparts hopes this helps and enjoy it
Hussain