Lebanon might seem to be the most unstable place in the world but our coffee shops remain safe havens that are visited on a daily basis. With the occasional bomb, a garbage crisis infesting our streets and the fact that we have not had a president for nearly two years, there is no stopping us from visiting our favorite coffee shops with the same group of people, talking about the same topics and ordering the same item on the menu absolutely every single day.
And this is one of the few reasons we absolutely LOVE LEBANON!
1. The eternal coffee shops
Welcome to the land of smokey fog where the male species comes to decay. This place is open 24/7 and the men sit here for hours, if not days, on end. Argeileh and tawla are only stopped for several minutes for the occasional coffee refill.
The owner Abou Jihad knows everyone by name and can write a biography on each and every person. "Regular customers" is an understatement here.
2. The leftist cafe
The place where the Cold War is still a hot topic and Russia is still referred to as the USSR ... Everyone looks the same here with the beret, beard and beer. As they sit disinterested in the outside world, it makes you wonder how much more peaceful the world would be if everyone adopted this outlook.
3. The library coffee shop
Clicking on a laptop keyboard is the loudest sound you will hear. Cracking a smile is about the most human interaction you will experience here. Beware, put your phone on silent if you want to avoid scary death stares.
4. The see and be seen cafe
Where a cup of coffee is $20 ... this is the place where you might think you accidentally walked into teatime with the queen.
Wearing oversized sunglasses indoors is a MUST! How else will you hide your wandering judgmental eyes?
5. The identity crisis cafe
Why is there a functioning bar and house music playing at 2 p.m.? Nevertheless, this is the place that doubles as a bar, cafe, bistro and possibly a club.
6. The backyard cafe
The place you go to where all the waiters know everything about you because you are always there, where closing time means nothing because this place has been mistaken for home. You have your own table and all your friends expect to find you there any hour of any day. If you happen to skip a day, expect calls and texts asking, “Is everything OK? Got worried about you!"
7. The hook up cafe
Located by the seaside, this cafe is filled with people on their first dates after they have exchanged a couple of messages and phone numbers over Facebook messenger. Turn your 3G off if you want to avoid any double bookings ...
8. The Abou Rakhousa cafe
Where the rules of economics do not apply ... There is obviously a high demand but the prices remain at a 500 LL low. Inflation what?
9. The bassara cafe
The place where your destiny is in that finjan kahwah you just ordered. It all boils down to the snake (fee hayeh bi hayatik), the eye (tar'eenik ein) and your knight in shinning armor (fares ahlamik) all sitting at the bottom of that tiny coffee cup of yours. Sip with care!