Arts & Culture

Home of the 98 Weeks project, this non-profit space is a forum for local visual artists. The 50 foot square exhibition space hosts regular events, exhibitions and project launches, but it's well-worth stopping by for the reading room and library (composed of '98 research archives').

A two-level gallery devoted to contemporary art, run by regional art expert Saleh Barakat. A good place to familiarise yourself with the past and future big names from the Arab art world. Exhibitions are usually solo.

An intimate gallery dedicated to mainly local fine art and located in the heart of Downtown Beirut. Shows are often exhibited in tandem between Downtown gallery and their original, larger space in Antelias.

The charming Hamra theatre seats up to 450 people and hosts all kinds of events, from plays and dance performances, to concerts and workshops. Call ahead for a schedule of upcoming shows.

The public library of the Arab Resource Centre for Popular Arts gathers books and films in three languages that are dedicated to culture, especially art, in Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.

Just off the hustle and bustle of Sassine Square, this popular little gallery exhibits contemporary work from the international and local art scene, whether paintings, sculpture and photography.

This extensive gallery in the heart of Saifi Village houses a permanent collection, featuring the creations of sixty painters and five sculptors. Get lost in their backroom, stuffed with antique furniture, jewellery and silver.

This training centre helps Lebanese students learn more about studying in the USA thanks to its courses and workshops. You can find a wide range of up-to-date career and educational orientation books that will allow you to get more acquainted with the American learning system

With around 45,000 books and 140 periodicals, this renowned library gathers archaeological works that are centuries old. Learn more about the history of the Middle East in the welcoming atmosphere of the reading area.

The exhibitions of Lebanese and international artists displayed at Art Circle change every month. The work exhibited here ranges from visual (painting, sculpture, and photography) to performance art, textile exhibitions, and even the culinary arts. Workshops are sometimes held and cultural events are organized regularly. Featuring a fixed collection of contemporary Lebanese artists such as Wissam Beydoun, Anni Kurkdijan, Rauf Rifai, Lody Abillama and Fatima Kawtharany.

Located in a refurbished warehouse, this funky bar and gallery focuses on pop art and similar genres, mostly Lebanese but often international. Art and music events are held regularly and there’s a cine-club on Sunday evenings. An art store on site sells books, postcards and other knick-knacks. A top evening venue for culture vultures.

If you're not passing by for one of Art Lounge's visual art exhibitions, film screenings or club nights, it's worth dropping in to peruse their large selection of art books, lifestyle magazines and other hard-to-find titles, including some limited editions.

The permanent exhibition at this Achrafieh art gallery displays the work of 23 internationally recognized Lebanese painters. These gorgeous paintings are all for sale, so come with wallet in hand and take home the product of a Lebanese creative genius.

This Achrafieh gallery is perfect for a lunchtime browse. Exhibitions tend to focus on painting and sculpture, by both local and international artists.

The Artwork Shop offers many rich and varied courses for children and adults. Try your hands at finger painting, make mosaics or creating your own ceramic designs. They also offer pottery, cake design and organize birthday parties. This great workshop space also has its own café with couches where you can browse through arty books and magazines.

A funky non-profit centre committed to educating, supporting, producing and promoting contemporary art. They regularly give art courses and host numerous lectures.

A major player on the burgeoning Arab art market, Ayyam first opened in Damascus, then Dubai, adding its Beirut space in late 2009. As well as some prestigious exhibitions, some handling controversial fare that rarely shows at the other branches, Beirut’s Ayyam also runs auctions. Its sleek, modern space houses paintings, sculptures and photography from some of the Arab world’s established and emerging artists, with a slight emphasis on the exciting talent emerging from Syria.

If it's not playing host to a theatre festival, Babel is rented out regularly to local and International playwrights and theatre troupes, performing classical and experimental plays.

The first and largest public library in Beirut. As well as Lebanon's three favourite languages, the library stocks books in Armenian, German, Tamil and Ethiopian. Come with a passport photo, a copy of your identity card and LL10,000 and receive a membership good for a lifetime of borrowing books. Alternatively you can stop by and read at leisure.

This large non-profit art space dedicated to contemporary art has curated some of the Beirut’s premier exhibitions since it opened two years ago. Up-and-coming artists as well as the more established feature, and check the website for talks, documentary screenings and workshops. A choice book selection is on sale, and a small café purveys the basics for a mid-peruse refuelling. Well worth checking out.