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Beirut’s club scene gets creative in wake of blast

Lebanon's nightlife is key to its economy and spirit.
A photograph taken on March 12, 2020 shows a bar on Gouraud street in the Lebanese capital Beirut's Gemayzeh district, known for its bustling nightlife, empty, after measures were taken in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Some nations tend to make more headlines than others. It’s no secret that Beirut, Lebanon’s capital of many faces, is known for its joie de vivre. The Lebanese nightlife scene has, since the end of the civil war, been a boon for business in the country and a source of pride for locals. Boasting streets full of bars, coastal rooftops in summer and dingy warehouses in winter, the party scene in Beirut is a foundational pillar in the economic and social makeup of the city.

While Lebanese businesses are used to navigating challenges and surprises, an economic meltdown, coronavirus lockdown and the recent tragedy at the port of Beirut have made challenges existential. After the Aug. 4 explosion, the devastation feels all the grimmer. One of the many economic sectors suffering is the food and beverage industry, of which nightlife, and particularly electronic music venues, is a part.

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