Showing 1-24 of 24 results
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Acid
Loud, brash with pounding techno and a very gay-friendly scene, Acid is vast, friendly and the place to really let loose on the dance floor beneath an impressive laser display. Make sure you're ready for quite a night of it, as chances are you'll be dragged along to an after party when the club's doors finally close.
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Al-Kahwa
Usually lost in a thick haze of nargileh smoke this is a popular hang-out with students from the AUB. Its friendly atmosphere and reasonably priced menu make it a reliable choice for breakfast, lunch or for dinner. An Arabic or cooked English breakfast is available, and there are also tasty jacket potatoes and quesadilla appetisers to munch on.
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Al-Medina Theatre
Shows modern Lebanese plays in Arabic, French and sometimes English.
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Al-Raouda
A waterfront favourite with local families (it has a small playground), this place, worth a stop for its good, strong coffee and nargilehs, is packed on weekends. It's a little hard to find - walk down the lane right next to the Lunapark entrance and you'll spot the misspelt 'El Rawda' sign.
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B 018
This venerable club is easily the most famous in town. Known for its particular décor as much as its music, it's situated underground in a car park a couple of kilometres east of Downtown. With its mock-horror baroque interior, complete with coffins for seats, B 018 is certainly memorable. Those suffering from claustrophobia needn't worry - the roof is always opened at some stage during the night.
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Bar Louie
More laid back than the majority of Beirut's bars, Bar Louie sports a friendly crowd and live music almost nightly. A couple of doors away, its equally diminutive 'shots bar' deals out some potent creations to get you in the partying mood, with welcoming barmen filled with tips on the current nightlife scene.
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Bay Rock Café
A fabulously situated café overlooking Pigeon Rocks. Meals, snacks, coffee and drinks are a bit pricey, but the outdoor terrace is a particularly attractive place to watch the sunset with a beer or a nargileh.
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Blue Note
This is the place to hear live jazz. Generally Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the only nights when the music is live, and these are definitely the best nights to visit. There's a very good food menu if you want to dine first, but live jazz is the main course here. Aficionados should phone or check the website to see who's playing before booking as it sometimes books non-jazz acts.
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Cassino
For something other than house, techno or commercial classics, head to Cassino, where the music's Arabic pop and, at least for part of the night, live. It's champagne and cigars all the way, so dress to the nines and book a table in advance if you want to make sure you'll make it past the doormen.
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Copper
Also on Rue Gouraud, Copper is a good choice, small, atmospheric and currently unbearably hip.
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Crystal
Crystal is, without a doubt, Beirut's glitziest, glammest club. It's a great space with a good, fun atmosphere where the well-heeled clientele generally book a large table with friends (for dinner) and settle in for a night of dollar-flashing. If you want to join in, consider ordering the US$3000 salmazar of champagne and have it carried, spotlit, to your table - which it pays to book in advance.
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Empire Sofil Center
A convenient mainstream cinema. Part of the Empire chain.
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Gemmayzeh Café
This vast and beautiful Beirut institution, dating back to Ottoman times, is one of the best places to hear live Arabic music in Beirut. Generally consisting of an oud (lute) player and singer, you should make a booking for the live music and dinner - the café has a great mezze menu, but it's worth popping in here any time of day for a strong coffee and a quick round of backgammon.
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Hole in the Wall
For those wanting a break from cool interiors and guest DJs and needing a beer poured into a glass with a handle, this one's for you. It's a great little pub smack bang in the centre of Rue Monot, and it's a regular stop for expats.
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Lime
A popular drinking spot with an outdoor terrace, it's another Rue Monot stalwart.
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Lina's
A large, laid-back corner spot for people-watching, Lina's is a comfy and reliable option for coffee and a light lunch, attracting young and old Beirutis alike.
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Monnot Theatre
Regular programme of French-language theatre, along with live music performances. Remember: don't be fooled by the name: it's not on Monot Street, but on the street next to the church.
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Pacífico
This Latin-themed bar is the long-standing number one with the local 30-something crowd. Happy hour is between and and it serves good Mexican food throughout the evening.
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Rehab
Also on Rue Gouraud, Rehab is a good choice, small, atmospheric and currently unbearably hip.
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Théâtre de Beyrouth
Small theatre hosting cutting-edge productions and performances from Lebanon and abroad, in Arabic, English and French.
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Torino Express
One of the coolest, smallest bars in Beirut, it's a café by day, with great paninis and espressos, and transforms into a bar by night, with a DJ, glorious cocktails and a very cheerful crowd.
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Uncle Deek
If you really want to do as the locals do, you'll drink your coffee short, strong and at every available opportunity. On the Corniche on a Friday or Saturday night, it's almost obligatory to take a stroll to Uncle Deek, where green T-shirted bus boys ferry tiny cups to drivers and pedestrians alike.
Showing 1-24 of 24 results
