[speakeasy]

I've long wanted to check out the scene in Lebanon. Not only because of the nightlife, but it just seems like a damn interesting place to visit, period. From the wikitravel site: http://wikitravel.org/en/Lebanon

Quote:

The Lebanese people know how to live despite political turmoil. Lebanon is a world-class party destination and has been rated by the New York Times as the number 1 tourist destination in the year of 2009. This is partly due to its spectacular nightlife. It features several clubbing locations such as the thrilling Gemmayze district or the Monot Street where people party far past dawn. It boasts several renowned DJs but it has also been visited by some of the world's most famous such as Tiesto, David Guetta, Armen Van Buren, Paul van Dyk who frequently visit Lebanon in tribute to its party animals. Many world famous bands and performers have performed in Lebanon (or have shows planned)as well such as Keane, Deep Purple, The Pussycat Dolls, Akon, Snoop Dog and Gad Elmaleh. Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton have both hosted parties in Lebanon and The Pussycat Dolls spent a night in the lebanese nighclubs. Lebanon is also known for it's skyhigh rooftop bars such as the Sky Bar. Lebanese clubs and bars are world-class, marvelous, and fascinating destinations. Greater Beirut is a sleepless city, as the great majority of it open 24 hours a day.

Lebanon also has a huge beach party scene having exquisite beaches and beach resorts such as Oceana, Laguava or Edde Sands and Janna Sur Mer.

Lebanese locations are widely diverse and exhibit "occidental" life style that is omnipresent to the degree that you will no doubt commit the mistake of thinking you're in a grand European capital in one moment and Las Vegas in another.

Lebanon had once been called Switzerland and Paris of the East. The recent wars have diminished this status but the Lebanese have always acted in unexpected ways. Their pursuit of happiness and fun overshadows their financial capabilities.

Someone left a very encouraging comment in the NY Times...

Quote:

lebanon is miami's diversity,italie's history,france's beauty,ibitha's nightlife,greece's ancient and modern history and NY's shops with a twist.
the lebanese people are the best party people on the planet.they trully party long after sunrise.
summer is great,but winter sports in lebanon are marvelous.as is the nature(beaches,mountains,rivers,lakes.......)

oh and the food.god do they know how to make food.
and the women.lebanese women are the hottest,classiest,and most eye popping hotties on the planet.
amazing diversity,amazing nightlife,amazing culture,amazing history!
best vacation ever,there truly is no competitor.
- alik

Don't know what the hookup scene is like, it is an Arab country after all, but sounds like a hell of a place to check out.