In spite of the images of conflict and war associated with Lebanon over the last few years, the Land of the Cedars has (again) become one of the region’s party hubs, as the Lebanese paradox seems to attract many a night owl. Hassan is a Moroccan banker working in Dubai. Ibiza, Saint Tropez and Mykonos bear no secrets for him. This summer, he spent a five-day vacation in Lebanon. “I would love to party at one of the open space bars and visit Gemmayze,” he said a week before his arrival. Gemmayze is one of Beirut’s trendy streets sought after by partygoers for bar- hopping. “I have heard so much about the Lebanese night life!” Hassan added. According to Paul Ariss, president of the Syndicate of Restaurant and Café Owners, there are some 6,000 restaurants, cafés, pubs, night-clubs and discos in Lebanon, with the majority of restaurants, cafés and pubs
