Beit Beirut, or the Yellow building, has been standing since 1924 when a Lebanese couple, Nicolas and Victoria Barakat, assigned the Lebanese architect Youssef Afandi Aftimos to design the building.
After surviving the Lebanese Civil War that lasted for 15 years (1975-1990), the Lebanese architect, Dr. Mona Hallak, fought for the building to not be demolished and to be turned into a museum and an urban cultural center. Unfortunately, it is not a museum yet, knowing that there is not a single museum that discusses the Lebanese Civil War. It will stay open as a center for art exhibitions and cultural events.
As you pass by Beit Beirut, you will see the neon sign "Photo Mario" in the Arabic language, with some portraits of unknown faces. This non-stop exhibition shall always be part of the museum, because Photo Mario was the studio of a neighbourhood photographer located on the building's ground floor.
The city of Beirut needs a space that talks about the Lebanese Civil War in an objective manner. It makes it harder for Beit Beirut to come to life because there are various narratives from several political parties about the war that is shaping our current country's state.
Find your way with 179 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The menu offers a diverse range of Mexican & Tex-Mex items like Tacos, Quesadillas, Fajita, and Burritos. They also serve Margaritas and Daquiries...
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"Al Makari Sweets" in Beirut makes authentic mufata'a dessert. It's hard to make, thus it's hard to find, but they make it like my grandma used to...
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At "Sugar Shake" right behind Beit Beirut Museum, you will be served one of the freshest and tastiest smoothies & frozen yogurts you can have in the city!
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"Kalei" isn't just one of my favorite specialty coffee spots in Beirut - the building it occupies has been around since the 1800s, and you can tell!
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"Liza" in Beirut in the 19th-century palace is the place to go if you want to dine luxuriously with a menu and presentation that are 'lavishly perfect'...
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"Mansion" Blatt in Beirut is a 20th-century villa that's been turned into a shared coworking & creative space used by designers, artists, architects & more.
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My favorite "Assabil" Public Library in Beirut is in Monnot. It's always active with events, whether virtual or real-life ones and full of youth!
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An exciting part of this museum is that at some point, if you look up, you'll be looking through a glass ceiling that shows the church right above you.
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The "Garden of Forgiveness" in Beirut is a vast space that was properly unveiled during excavations after the Civil War. Come observe its beauty & history.
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"Barzakh Bookshop" in Beirut is the ultimate definition of a hidden gem. It's a cultural melting pot of literary rebels from around the world...
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"L'Artisan du Liban" is a social movement in Beirut that's keeping local art and artisans alive. I usually buy gifts for my locals friends here...
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179 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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