Listomania
12 Places Lebanese Kids Held Their Birthday Parties In The ’90s
Kids’ birthday parties have become a melange of over-the-top decorations and (unnecessary) themes. Nineties kids, however, know that the fun comes down to one thing: location, location, location. Too bad most of these places don’t exist anymore, but enjoy reminiscing with our top picks!
1. ShowBiz Pizza Place
My memory of Showbiz is as follows: an arcade area, tons of pizza, and a gorilla playing the keyboards.
The animatronic stage show would happen in intervals, with various robotic animals busting out a song or two while the waiters danced around and served delicious pizza. Add to that a competitive game of whack-a-mole? It was the childhood equivalent of being high.
2. Putt Putt Golf & Games
Image via blog.bekahbrunstetter.com
I still don’t understand why this place closed down. Golf outside, and a bouncy slide-y wonderland inside. If you had your birthday here, you were one of two people: you either demanded to win mini-golf because it’s your birthday, or WHY THE HELL are you celebrating at Putt Putt?!
3. Fun Time Pizza
The coolest arcade in Dbayeh. We only took breaks to inhale slices of pizza that were often served too hot.
4. McMagic
Every kid’s piece of roller coaster heaven. Birthday parties here were, dare I say it, baller. This place was one big jungle and a birthday party there put you on the map as a kid who knows serious fun. It’s now a scary abandoned lot that no kid should ever come close to ever, ever, but yay! Nostalgia!
5. Juicy Burger
Photo credit: blogbaladi.com
Before we had gourmet burgers in Mar Mikhael, we had this burger joint in the Futuroscope building in Sin el Fil. There was also another one in Zouk Mikael. I remember a rainbow, an arcade, and burgers – please fill in the blanks.
6. Al Dewan
This place was more popular for the teens and tweens because of the epic dancefloor that made snot-nose kids feel like they were in a disco, rocking out to the best of Britney and S Club 7. Don’t stop, never give up guys.
7. Winners
The reverse golden arches on Ghazir highway! Yummy fries that ultimately ended up getting bombed in 2002.
8. Champions
One of the few sports bars in Lebanon, Champions was located in the now shut down Marriott. Ah, to be under-age while eating wings and chugging beer.
9. Splash Mountain
Endless water slides? Check. Overpriced snacks? Check. Risk of serious head injury? CHECK.
10. KFC
This may still be popular now (not sure, who eats KFC anymore?), but older kids had it better for one reason: Chicky. The mascot who knew how to bring the house down. Even kids who weren’t invited used to join in for a musical chairs dance party extravaganza in a sweaty little room that smelled like socks and overused fry oil. Good wholesome family fun!
11. Johnny Rockets
Please note that this is a stock image
Located in Downtown Beirut, this was the go-to spot for burgers and milkshakes.
12. Banana Zoo
I couldn’t find any photos or remember much about this place but I believe it was located in Kaslik.
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