Arts & Culture

Study the light, graceful and fluid movements of classical ballet at this charming dance academy. Founded by Nada Kano in 2007, Beirut Dance Studio offers professional training in classical ballet for children and for adults.

The exterior of Beirut Exhibition Center is an emblem of modern architecture. Inside, the bright open space is dedicated to contemporary local and international artists.

This gallery and picture-framers has a vast collection of Lebanese paintings and sculptures. Ranging from classical to contemporary, featured artists include Cezar Gemmayel, Mustafa Faroukh and Habib Frour.

Owned by Antoine Abi Heila, an expert restorer and trader of antique books and manuscripts, this library houses a fabulous collection of 16th-20th century books. You must make an appointment to come visit, but the chance to explore the historical documents, antique books, Islamic texts and manuscripts is definitely worth the effort. 


Brush up on your Arabic at this well-known Hamra bookshop that carries Arabic books only. Spend an afternoon browsing the shelves, and stock up on novels, biographies, history books and more.

The ground floor is a mid-sized bookshop where you can find a wide range of stationary, including art, computer, and school supplies, as well as magazines, newspapers and a few books. The library on the first floor stocks a much wider selection of books and novels that everyone can read.

The Casino holds grand-scale international shows and local productions in two theatres: Theatre du Liban seats over 1,000 people while the Salles des Ambassadeurs seats 600 plus.

Paint your own pots, plates and mugs at Lebanon’s only contemporary ceramic arts studio. Snack on homemade sandwiches and cakes, and sip a steaming cup of coffee while you create your own artistic masterpieces.

Chahine Gallery stocks a range of Italian furniture and reproduction antiques. Large selections of paintings are available in a variety of styles. Antique books and engravings are sold. The gallery is housed throughout two floors, changing exhibition pieces each month.

Exhibits 18th and 19th century paintings and antiques plus a wide collection of Bohemian and Ruby glassware, decorative items, silver, and antiques furniture, all hand-picked from France, England, Italy and other countries.

Owned by artist Raffi Tokatlian, there’s a permanent exhibition of surreal bronze sculptures themed humanity. Tokatlian is originally an interior designer but began sculpting eight years ago and for the last five years he has exhibited his work in New York.

With its 16,000 works and 120 periodicals covering many fields of Lebanese data, this renowned space has become a bona fide study centre for researchers seeking to know more sociology and politics and town planning in Lebanon and especially Beirut.

CNAG's aim is to promote modern and contemporary art. CNAG encourages artists willing to give full scope to their art by daring to remain authentic.

A photography club building a community for Lebanese photographers. Offers a training classes dark room, photo printing technologies, gallery space, studio and photography books. Also schedules weekly and monthly trips helping all you young'ins build up your portfolios.

Dar al Saqi is the Beirut branch of the publishing house originally started in London by Lebanese exiles André Gaspard and Mai Ghoussoub in the 70s. Now world-renowned for its brave and high-quality independent publishing in Arabic and English, their bookshop – on the same site as the publisher’s – is a superb place to find the best of the literary scene.

Art Lounge, beneath River Bridge, next to Adam's Factory and Naggiar, Quarantina. Driving manuals and Lebanese drivers clearly have a love-hate relationship. Celebrated the launch of 'Driving in Lebanon: A User Manual' by Joumana Medlej. The illustrator combines comic strips and diagrams for a realistic guide to handling the country's roads (and obstacles).

Equipe Exode are a group of committed individuals collaborating together to promote and showcase the works talented artists. The studio is tucked away near the buzzing street of Gemmayze and offers a quiet and peaceful environment where visitors can lose themselves and enter a whole new level of artisanal paradise.

Part of the United Nations Organization, this prestigious library gathers a huge range of Lebanese and international works, periodicals, social references and UN documents in English and Arabic, with subjects ranging from economics to sociology. Access for outsiders is only allowed for University students.

This art gallery is constantly bringing in new artwork, hosting at least one exhibition per month. Exhibitions tend to focus on contemporary photography and installations, with the occasional painting or sculpture on display. It’s often a fascinating mix, usually themed at least indirectly around Beirut or Lebanon.

Filling the flamenco-shaped hole in Beirut's dance scene, Flamenco Beirut offers regular monthly workshops taught by visiting or specially imported Flamenco dancers. Forget 'Spanish-flavoured' dance classes, this is the real deal.