Not many places can attract a crowd by looking aged, but that is exactly what Rococo pulls off. Rococo’s vintage-style gastro bar mixes old world refinement with a smart urban personality. Call it chic antique, like chocolate with chili or Marie Antoinette with tattoos.
Rococo’s designers went searching in antique shops and came back loaded. The evidence is everywhere, in exquisite details like the speakeasy cloakroom and the birdcage, complete with bird.
But beyond the bric-a-brac is a gastro bar that lives up to its description. Like the furniture, Rococo’s menu is eclectic, offering a mix of aperitifs such as eggplant lollipops and main dishes ranging from Argentinean steak to Lebanese quesadillas. The bar menu is one of the most unique in Beirut; cocktails are freshly prepared with ingredients including fresh fruits, thyme and rosemary herbs and flower petals.
The moment you step through its velvet entrance, you know Rococo is a different kind of den. Iron-forged chandeliers hover over mosaic tables. Mauve divans and bold print chairs sit side by side. The décor strikes just the right tone between recherché and relaxed.
Just like a 1920s parlour, Rococo’s band will jazz it up on occasions, playing classic covers and soft jazz. When the female lead and her quartet accompaniment are not in town, a soundtrack from bygone days entertains the crowd.
Rococo’s seating plan is divided into tables and less formal settings, allowing food to be ordered and served from anywhere in the place. A winter garden opens all year round for people to enjoy a quiet drink and dinner.
Indoor capacity: 70 people Garden capacity: 35 people
