Lynn’s Pretty Good Guidebook to Beirut
Neighborhoods
Because of the blossoming café and bar scene since early 2014 it has become a hip destination for Beirut’s young and restless but old Beirutis remember that Badaro was already Beirut’s version of the Village in the swinging sixties. Groceries and eateries can be found on almost every street of the area. You'll find dozens of restaurants, pubs and sidewalk cafés of virtually every style. At many spots you'll find affordable eats with the chance to enjoy your meal on the sidewalk. There are also some well-known upscale restaurants in the neighborhood.
Badaro
BadaroBecause of the blossoming café and bar scene since early 2014 it has become a hip destination for Beirut’s young and restless but old Beirutis remember that Badaro was already Beirut’s version of the Village in the swinging sixties. Groceries and eateries can be found on almost every street of the area. You'll find dozens of restaurants, pubs and sidewalk cafés of virtually every style. At many spots you'll find affordable eats with the chance to enjoy your meal on the sidewalk. There are also some well-known upscale restaurants in the neighborhood.
Since 2010, Mar Mikhaël has emerged as one of the most fashionable in Beirut, with many trendy boutiques, art galleries, antique furniture stores having opened in the area. In addition, many bars, restaurants and cafés have quickly replaced hardware shops, car parts and furniture stores, becoming a "hotspot for Beirut party-goers". Additionally, Mar Mikhaël has become the new hub for art and creativity. Mar Mikhael star faded slightly in 2014-2015 with the re-emergence of Badaro; however, Mar Mikhael is still one of the top destinations in Beirut for dining and nightlife.
67 locals recommend
Mar Mikhael
Since 2010, Mar Mikhaël has emerged as one of the most fashionable in Beirut, with many trendy boutiques, art galleries, antique furniture stores having opened in the area. In addition, many bars, restaurants and cafés have quickly replaced hardware shops, car parts and furniture stores, becoming a "hotspot for Beirut party-goers". Additionally, Mar Mikhaël has become the new hub for art and creativity. Mar Mikhael star faded slightly in 2014-2015 with the re-emergence of Badaro; however, Mar Mikhael is still one of the top destinations in Beirut for dining and nightlife.
Gemmayze, and Rue Gouraud specifically, compete with the trendy village-type neighborhood of Badaro, as one of Beirut's bohemian quarters. The district is full of narrow streets and historic buildings from the French era. The neighborhood is well known today for its trendy bars and pubs, cafes, restaurants and lounges, most of which are directly located on Rue Gouraud.
Rue Gouraud is known especially for its culinary scene that is popular with Beirut's fashionistas. The street runs east of Beirut Central District and the Saifi Village, extending from Avenue Georges Haddad and reaching the Corniche du Fleuve.
36 locals recommend
Gemmayzeh
Gemmayze, and Rue Gouraud specifically, compete with the trendy village-type neighborhood of Badaro, as one of Beirut's bohemian quarters. The district is full of narrow streets and historic buildings from the French era. The neighborhood is well known today for its trendy bars and pubs, cafes, restaurants and lounges, most of which are directly located on Rue Gouraud.
Rue Gouraud is known especially for its culinary scene that is popular with Beirut's fashionistas. The street runs east of Beirut Central District and the Saifi Village, extending from Avenue Georges Haddad and reaching the Corniche du Fleuve.
Hamra Street or Rue Hamra is one of the main streets of the city of Beirut. Today it is a commercial district with numerous prestigious universities, libraries, restaurants and coffee shops, with "78 Street" (commonly known as "the Alleyway") being Hamra's main pubbing and clubbing hub.
36 locals recommend
Hamra Street
Hamra Street or Rue Hamra is one of the main streets of the city of Beirut. Today it is a commercial district with numerous prestigious universities, libraries, restaurants and coffee shops, with "78 Street" (commonly known as "the Alleyway") being Hamra's main pubbing and clubbing hub.
Ain El Mraiseh
Ain El MraisehBeirut's seaside.
Nightlife
Metro Al Madina
Minus 1Cabaret shows, definitely recommended. Make sure to book.
Cantina Sociale
Nearby wine bar with tapas, brunch, and events.
The Malt Gallery
For whiskey aficionados.
Bardo
Gay-friendly bar with regular drag shows.
Madame Om
lgbbtq-friendly bar, mostly for women.
"B018 is a music club, a place of nocturnal survival. It united the Lebanese underground, when they were clashing on the surface. It is, above all, a space to revel in the modern ritual that is electronic music. A space that remains unaffected, unlabeled, and unpinned. With a promise to stay true to the music, and a refusal to succumb to the establishment, the institution of B018 has shed its old skin and adopted to the growing maturity of the Lebanese and international dance scenes. Today, by staying true to its claim, 'A Sound Ritual', B 018 offers an array of nights. From live bands to 80s night during the week and international and local house DJs on the weekends, our space will feed everything your heart/ ears desire. That’s not all though, we have the holistic experience in mind. With our state of the art interior and delicious cocktails and food menu, there really is no place like B 018."
25 locals recommend
B 018
"B018 is a music club, a place of nocturnal survival. It united the Lebanese underground, when they were clashing on the surface. It is, above all, a space to revel in the modern ritual that is electronic music. A space that remains unaffected, unlabeled, and unpinned. With a promise to stay true to the music, and a refusal to succumb to the establishment, the institution of B018 has shed its old skin and adopted to the growing maturity of the Lebanese and international dance scenes. Today, by staying true to its claim, 'A Sound Ritual', B 018 offers an array of nights. From live bands to 80s night during the week and international and local house DJs on the weekends, our space will feed everything your heart/ ears desire. That’s not all though, we have the holistic experience in mind. With our state of the art interior and delicious cocktails and food menu, there really is no place like B 018."
Gardens & Parks
Jesuits garden
Sioufi Park
Sanayeh Garden
American University of Beirut
Arts & Culture
Mim Museum - Mineral Museum
Surprisingly fantastic!
Sursock Museum
National Museum of Beirut
Beirut Art Center
Emile LahoudMetropolis Empire Sofil
Foreign and local movies.
Librairie Antoine Hamra
Shopping
Plan BEY
Local contemporary artwork (including posters, postcards, etc.)
ABC Mall
Alfred NaccacheGrab'n Go Rizk
George NaccashThis is a convenience store on our street.
Sightseeing
Byblos
Batroun
Telefrique Harrisa
Tyre Beach
Make sure to go to Cloud 59 - Lebanon's best sandy beach.
Cliffside cafes overlooking the bay and restaurants in the area attract tourists and locals alike, while small boat rides bring you around the rocks during summer.
24 locals recommend
Raouche Rocks
Cliffside cafes overlooking the bay and restaurants in the area attract tourists and locals alike, while small boat rides bring you around the rocks during summer.
Jeita Grotto
شارع كسروانShouf Biosphere Reserve Maasser Cedar Forest
Barouk - Joub Jannine Road
Baalbek Roman Ruins
Tripoli
Probably my favorite place in Lebanon. Brazilian Oskar Nieymer designed the 10,000-hectare site, intended as an international fairground, back in 1962 but constructions were halted in 1975 and never resumed. In 2006, the site was “added to the World Monuments Fund Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites after conservationists campaigned to preserve it when Tripoli’s chamber of commerce proposed turning into a tourist village theme park to be based on Disneyland.
Rachid Karami International Fair
Probably my favorite place in Lebanon. Brazilian Oskar Nieymer designed the 10,000-hectare site, intended as an international fairground, back in 1962 but constructions were halted in 1975 and never resumed. In 2006, the site was “added to the World Monuments Fund Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites after conservationists campaigned to preserve it when Tripoli’s chamber of commerce proposed turning into a tourist village theme park to be based on Disneyland.