Beirut's bar scene has rebuilt itself again. Mar Mikhael — the neighbourhood that anchored the 2010s nightlife — has been joined by Gemmayzeh and Hamra in a more dispersed but equally serious drinking culture. The 10 below show why Beirut's resilience is a drinking story as much as a political one.
Part of our 50 Best Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best bars in Beirut
01 · Beirut
Mar Mikhael
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Late-night · Loud
The bar that anchors Beirut's nightlife district. Long bar, mixed crowd, drinks that are unfussy but well made.
Order: Arak-spiked spec
02 · Beirut
Mar Mikhael
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Cocktails · Arak-led
Mar Mikhael cocktail bar built around arak. Modern Lebanese-spirit cocktail program. The technical reference for Beirut.
Order: An arak-based modernist signature
03 · Beirut
Antelias
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Mediterranean rooftop
Outside Beirut proper, but the bar locals fly back to. Mediterranean view, late-night programming, cocktails that hold up.
Order: Arak-spiked rooftop spec
04 · Beirut
Achrafieh
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Lebanese cuisine + bar
Restaurant with one of Beirut's most polished cocktail bars attached. Lebanese-spirit-led cocktails.
Order: A drink built around mahleb or za'atar
05 · Beirut
Mar Mikhael
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Speakeasy · Late-night
Mar Mikhael speakeasy with classical cocktail technique. Late-hours, intimate, the alternative to the louder rooms.
Order: A perfect Manhattan with their reserve rye
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06 · Beirut
Mar Mikhael
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Cocktails · Hidden
Hidden Mar Mikhael cocktail bar. Reservations recommended. Modern Lebanese cocktail program with strong technique.
Order: A house signature spec
07 · Beirut
Karantina
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Industrial · Late-night DJ
Late-night Karantina industrial space. DJ programming is among the best in the Middle East. Cocktails are simple; the room is the show.
Order: A vodka cocktail at 2 AM
08 · Beirut
Mar Mikhael
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Casual · Burger
Casual Mar Mikhael bar with burgers. Cheap by Beirut standards. The post-shift hangout for the Mar Mikhael bar industry.
Order: A whiskey + a smoked-meat burger
09 · Beirut
Manara
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Hotel rooftop · Mediterranean
On top of the Riviera Hotel. Open Mediterranean view from the terrace. Polished, daytime-and-evening hotel-bar program.
Order: A rosé spritz on the terrace
10 · Beirut
Hamra
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Pub · Hamra
Hamra pub with a casual atmosphere. Cheap drinks, late hours, the most local of Beirut's drinking rooms.
Order: A Lebanese craft beer
More Beirut bars by categoryCocktail, rooftop, hidden gem — the full Beirut index.
See the full list
How Beirut keeps drinking
Beirut's bars run later than almost anywhere — peak hours start at midnight and run to 4 AM. Mar Mikhael (Central Station, Anise) is the cocktail-bar quadrant. Gemmayzeh delivers the rooftop and view bars. Arak — the local anise spirit — is essential to understand; almost every bar has its own house spec built on it.
