Here are only some of the many closed Lebanese businesses that we pine for, and fondly remember. Check them out and let us know if we missed any!
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. Fun Time Pizza
The coolest arcade in Dbayeh. We only took breaks to inhale slices of pizza that were often served too hot.
3. McMagic
This was essentially roller coaster heaven for adrenaline-junkie kids. I’m sure we looked like an army of cracked out psycho children, running from one thrilling ride to the next. Last I checked, all the games were still inside this now terrifying abandoned spot.
4. Johnny Rockets
Please note that this is a stock image
Located in Downtown Beirut, this was the go-to spot for burgers and milkshakes.
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. Putt Putt Golf & Games
Can the perfect place truly exist? Putt Putt once proved that yes, yes it can. Miniature golf, balloons, baller birthday parties, an arcade, and a water land all wrapped into one.
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. Banana Zoo
I couldn’t find any photos or remember much about this place but I believe it was located in Kaslik.
