7 Things You Can Do in Beirut Instead of Doomscrolling

Remember when people had cool hobbies? And no, it doesn’t involve consuming content about said hobby and enjoying it. Here are 7 things you can do in Beirut instead of doomscrolling all day.

1. Participate in live drawing sessions at DADA in Achrafieh

DADA actually has so many community art and crafts classes you can be a part of. Led by visual artists and educators, they host live drawing sessions, sewing classes, collage nights, cyanotype workshops, and so much more.

On Saturdays, you’ll find them at Tota in Mar Mikhael hosting Long Table Saturdays, where they bring people together to create art, connect with strangers, and make friends.

2. Check out ongoing unconventional projects at TAKEOVER in Achrafieh

For those unfamiliar with TAKEOVER, it’s one of Beirut’s most beloved community spaces for unconventional art. The artist-led initiative lets creatives utilize their space to explore new ideas, have fun, and experiment with their work. Art is beyond paintbrushes and canvases, and TAKEOVER is the perfect place to see what happens when people are given the freedom to think outside the box.

We recommend checking out what projects are currently being exhibited.

3. Catch plays at FADA Al Madina in Hamra

We think Hamra deserves a lot more love than it gets. Once a bustling cultural hub for musicians, artists, performers, and scholars, the neighborhood has a long history of bringing people together through the arts. FADA Al Madina is helping keep that spirit alive by creating a space where emerging and established artists can experiment, collaborate, and share their work with the community.

Want to learn more about what brought this space to life? Click here.

4. Or watch cool films at Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael

If you’re tired of watching the same shows and movies everyone keeps talking about, Metropolis is a good place to start looking elsewhere. The arthouse cinema champions independent films, international cinema, and works you might not come across on mainstream screens.

If you want to see what they’re screening, check out their Instagram. It’s one of Lebanon’s most sought out cinemas for a reason.

5. Start collecting Lebanese art from spaces around Beirut

You don’t need to be a seasoned collector or have a huge budget to start collecting art. There are so many spots around Beirut that feature local art, like Levant and Mavia Bakery in Gemmayze or Barzakh in Hamra. You’ll find so many prints, illustrations, stickers, and other cool finds by local artists. That’s one easy way to turn supporting local into a hobby.

If you know any spots that feature local artists, let us know!

6. Go to cat-themed events and fundraisers to support Meow Haven, a local cat shelter

If your camera roll is already 90% cats, here’s your chance to put that love to good use. Keep an eye out for Meow Haven’s cat-themed events and fundraisers, where you can meet fellow animal lovers while helping support a local shelter and the cats in its care.

And the best part is that they bring all their adorable cats to their events. You never know if one will choose you. Then you’ll have to adopt it and take it home with you.

7. Sign up for a blind date with The Blind Spark

Feeling brave enough to let someone else take care of your dating life for once? The Blind Spark organizes in-person blind dating experiences that bring singles together through structured dates, giving you a chance to meet someone new without the usual swiping. Sign up for an upcoming edition, leave the endless app scrolling behind, and see who you might meet.

For more information, check out our article.

Do you have any cool hobbies you’d like to share? Maybe we can make this list more extensive.

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