Beirut
West Beirut around the American University. Heritage cafes, university-area bars, and the most diverse Lebanese drinking culture. Save this neighbourhood guide before your next night in Beirut.
Hamra · $$$
Anise Cocktail Bar draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$$
Bryant Park Jazz Club draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$$
Couqley French Bistro Bar draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$$
Em Bar at L'Hotel draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$$
Frankie's draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$$$
Iris Rooftop draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$$$
Eau de Vie at Phoenicia draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$
The Cliff Bar draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$
The Irish Pub Beirut draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$$$
The Roof at Phoenicia draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Hamra · $$
The Tipsy Elephant draws a steady local crowd in Hamra. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
You'll find Cocktail Bars, Rooftop Bars and Sports Bars here, all tightly clustered enough to walk between in a single evening. That's the value of a neighbourhood guide: pick a starting room, end up four bars in, and never get in a cab. Every recommendation below is independent — barsforKings doesn't take payment for editorial placement, ever.
The order below is a working ranking, not gospel. Read the notes, pick the room that fits the night you're planning, and treat Hamra like locals do — start early, walk between rooms, end somewhere quieter than you started.
A working editorial ranking. Walkable in a single evening — pick your starting room and let the neighbourhood do the rest.