{"id":756060,"date":"2025-06-19T10:25:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T10:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/?p=756060"},"modified":"2025-06-19T10:25:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T10:25:22","slug":"why-beiruts-speakeasies-kinda-suck-sorry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/en\/756060\/why-beiruts-speakeasies-kinda-suck-sorry\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Beirut’s Speakeasies Kinda Suck (Sorry)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every couple of months, we see a new trend in Lebanon’s F&B industry. First, it was Italian restaurants, then smashed burgers, and now, speakeasies. But why do Beirut’s speakeasies not live up to the true clandestine experience?<\/p>

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To be completely honest, we don’t think people here even know what a true speakeasy is. Let’s break it down for you.<\/p>

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What’s a Speakeasy?<\/h3>

To enter a speakeasy, you basically have to be “in the know”. Speakeasies became a thing back in the Prohibition era (1920s-1930s) in the United States when alcohol became illegal. Those who wished to indulge had to find secret bars or hidden lounges, so they had to “speak easy” (or quietly) about these underground spots to avoid getting caught.<\/p>

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Speakeasy in San Francisco, 1931. Photo credit: Underwood Archives\u2014UIG\/Shutterstock.com<\/b> <\/div> <\/div>

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Here are some common features you’ll find at at a real speakeasy:<\/p>

– Have a discreet or hidden entrance<\/em><\/p>

– Feature a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere for that “underground” vibe<\/p>

– Serve craft cocktails or signature drinks<\/p>

– Sometimes require a password or reservation<\/em> to enter<\/p>

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The whole point of a speakeasy is that it\u2019s supposed to be hard to find, not something everyone knows about. So when you launch and heavily market your new nightlife spot as a speakeasy\u2026it kind of defeats the purpose.<\/p>

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What Are Some Good Examples?<\/h3>

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London actually has some of the best impossible-to-find speakeasies<\/a>. Here are some cool examples of London’s best speakeasies that maybe Beirut could learn from.<\/p>

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1. CellarDoor in Aldwych<\/strong><\/p>

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Photo credit: @cellardoorlondon on Instagram<\/b> <\/div> <\/div>

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Blink and you might miss the discreet entrance, which was once a public toilet (yes, really). But step inside, and you’ll find a hidden gem that hosts cabarets, burlesque shows, live music, and even the occasional cinema night.<\/p>

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2. The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town in Spitalfields<\/strong><\/p>

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