Tag Archives | hamra

Update: De Prague to remain open for at least a couple more months

By Rami on June 13, 2013 in Lebanon

Looks like tonight will not witness De Prague’s closure as the owner Raed Habib decided to give the place another shot over the next couple of months following a demonstration that was organized by around 70 of his loyal customers near his house. You can read all about it here.

I never knew the bar meant a lot to so many people. The whole thing makes you wonder if it was a publicity stunt since it got 3 articles on The Daily Star website in a couple of days, and they were overwhelmed with customers today who wanted to say goodbye to the place!

De Prague Hamra closing today

By Rami on June 13, 2013 in Lebanon

de prague hamra

As per this article in The Daily Star yesterday, De Prague will be closing its doors today after 8 years of operating in Hamra.

The reasons of the closure as stated by the bar’s general manager Pascale Azzi are the declining number of customers as well as the smoking ban that was introduced in September last year. Moreover, in a second article published today, the owner Raed Habib added that the bar will also be closing due to the general change of atmosphere in Hamra in addition to the increasing violence incidents in the neighborhood.

These reasons didn’t really make sense to me because the economic recession and the smoking ban are affecting all the shops in Hamra, yet many places like February 30 and Main Street for example are doing pretty well and always seem to be full at night.

What I guess De Prague should have done to stand out from the competition is possibly taking advantage of the relatively large space they have to setup a small stage and host music bands to get more people to come.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure soon enough some investors will be renting the place and starting a new bar to replace De Prague.

New cinema opening soon in Bliss street

By Rami on May 19, 2013 in Lebanon

bliss

Looks like Hamra is soon getting a new cinema, “Prime on Bliss”, facing AUB in Bliss street. The website and Facebook page have no further details such as the numbers of screens that will be available, except that they’re opening this month.

Halal nail polish now available in Lebanon

By Rami on April 14, 2013 in Lebanon

This was spotted at Inglot in Hamra main street. I wonder what other products may go halal next!

Turned out this Inglot nail polish, unlike other brands, allows water to permeate to the nail itself to make Woudou’ valid, since one of Woudou’ requirements is for water to reach certain body parts including nails.

Tarboush shot

By Rami on March 20, 2013 in Lebanon

I just noticed this shot made with Ghandour’s Tarboush being promoted on Facebook by London Bar in Hamra.

It’s pretty creative! Have you tried it? And do you know which alcohol goes along the cream inside Tarboush?

Riding Beirut

By Rami on March 15, 2013 in Lebanon

It takes some balls to take your bicycle on a ride from the mountain road to Beirut! This guy seems really good at it passing by Arayya, Jamhour, Hazmiyyeh, Dahyeh, and then all the way to Hamra, Clemenceau, and Beirut Downtown.

Another Harlem Shake at Garage 78st Bar Hamra

By Rami on February 18, 2013 in Lebanon

I promise this is the last Harlem Shake video you’ll see here! 😛

Maura Connelly’s bodyguards harass two women in Hamra

By Rami on February 18, 2013 in Lebanon

Maura Connelly

Is the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly now determined on creating a mess every time she goes out on weekends?

First her convoy drove over some ancient ruins in Tyre and damaged a stone wall two weeks ago, and just yesterday, her bodyguards harassed Lebanese actress Yara Abou Haidar and one of her Egyptian friends at Dar Bistro in Hamra where Connelly was having a coffee. You can read all about the incident in this article by Al-Akhbar.

via @AbirGhattas

Funny break sign in Hamra

By Rami on January 31, 2013 in Lebanon

With “Jeye” and “MissCall me”, that’s one typically Lebanese sign! Photo credits go to Pascale Sfeir.

via Beirut

Ziad Rahbani & co. at the Blu Note Cafe Hamra

By Rami on January 25, 2013 in Events

Ziad Rahbani

Here’s some good news for Ziad El Rahbani lovers. He started performing earlier this week at the Blue Note Cafe in Hamra with a band of 11 musicians and will continue until January 29th.

The program called “Orthoizoks und Rahbani Ziach” is comprised mainly of jazz music with lyrics in Arabic, French and English. Make sure to reserve early if you’re planning to attend one of the evening as I believe places must be running out fast (The Blue Note Cafe’s number is 01 743 857).

On Monday night the Blue Note Café hosted “Orthoizoks und Rahbani Ziach,” an evening of original compositions by Ziad Rahbani – Assi and Fairouz’s son. From his piano, Rahbani the younger led an 11-person ensemble of musicians and vocalists before a capacity audience.

“Orthoizoks und Rahbani Ziach” is comprised of such Rahbani tunes as “Spiral,” “Smooth Talk” and “Viva de Funk.” Those familiar with Rahbani’s oeuvres may have found the evening’s playlist echoed the one he staged for his UNESCO Palace performance in December 2012.

This multilingual program – with lyrics in Arabic, French and English – transported the Blue Note through several distinct moods. From romantic ballads to cool jazz, Rahbani and Co. worked to sate the eager audience’s thirst for soulful groove. Source

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