Does anyone remember 2011? Even through we all just recently said goodbye to the past year, it seems as though we’ve all put the year behind us so quickly. Our minds and hearts alike are eager to see what the wonderful year of 2012 will bring. Before we fully walk away from 2011 BNL would like to recap the epic events that helped us say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012 with smiles on our faces and enthusiasm in our hearts.
All over Lebanon, from the Beirut city to the highlands, fireworks filled the skies above as Beirut night lifers below figuratively set venues ablaze. Every club, restaurant, pub/bar and hotel was booked for the celebratory evening.
Beirut was on fire! Venues such as Cassino, B018, Whisky Mist, Palais and more hosted themed nights featuring live music, dancers and so much more! The Gemmayzeh district was packed to the brim with crowds gathered to nostalgically bid farewell to a wonderful year. Of course like any other year, Downtown did not disappoint. Biel was Blacked Out for Add-mind’s epic glow in the dark event, while super stars such as Ragheb Alama and Haifa Wehbi graced the place, performing an unforgettable NYE event. Folks who love to literally chill out headed up to the cozy chalets of Kfardebian. BeirutNightLife didn’t miss a beat…and by beat I mean party! Like every year BNL is out on the streets, snapping photos, and celebrating with fellow night lifers. In case you missed an event here is a recap of what went on this New Year’s Even 2011. And while we are at it, here’s to love, peace and prosperity for 2012!
Let’s start with (arguably) the most happening place in the world, Beirut! At the place where people usually end their night B018. The great thing about B018 is that you always have time to make it to the party! The revelry never stops at the number one after-hours club in Beirut. This year B018 hosted the Ultimate NYE Party featuring an amazing line up of musically talented professional DJ’s. NYE hats, silly glasses, fireworks, confetti and a ceiling full of balloons added a fun flare to the typically dark club. Guests enjoyed an opening NYE set from B018 icon Naji Gebran. DJ Rodge followed lifting up spirits, playing all our favorite party anthems. Once the after hours hit, our king of Progressive House Fady Ferraye and partner in crime Ziad Ghosn (resident B018 DJ) played full sets for NYE guests. The dynamic duo, B018 residents, Gunther & Stamina closed out the Ultimate NYE evening with bumping House Techno sets. A long night and in this case long morning of partying was a blast at B018.
Another hotspot in Beirut that celebrated the New Year in style, was the renowned Cassino club owned by superstar Joe Ashkar. Crowds flowed into the restaurant/club to enjoy dinner, drinking, and NYE fun. Everyone knows that Cassino is a place to be seen, which may be why guest came dressed to impress. Owner, and one man show performer, Joe Ashkar entertained attendees including celebrities as big as the drop dead gorgeous Maya Diab, Joe’s lovely wife Grace, and many VIP’s. Showgirls joined in, dancing bar top. Decked out in sparkling outfits and masquerade masks, they added a perfect NYE touch to the already amazing party.
Keeping on track with Beirut, but heading over to the ever so popular Gemmayzeh and Monot districts, BNL first joined the party at Metis. Together with the Floberge group, Metis rang in the New Year with a packed house of beautiful pub-crawlers. Guest seemed to love the red feathers theme, as many came decked out in the sultry color red. In addition to that, all guests were given bags containing masks, hats, wings, red boa feathered scarves and more! A Red Feathers back drop was set up to take photos in front of, along with a giant size masquerade mask great for a snap shot memory. Masked men and women enjoyed a night of music and entertainment with special guests vocalist POLY, singing bar top, backed by a full live rock band. Sexy Go-Go dancers decked out in red, magicians, and a fortuneteller entertained guests until it was time for the final count down. After guests screamed and blew in their cotillion trumpets, DJ’s Lethal Skillz and DJ Gaby supplied music to move to for the rest of the night. Rue Monot is definitely still kicking!
Just around the corner folks over at Sepia spent New Year’s Eve at the classy and gorgeous resto/pub on the famous stairs of Gemmayzeh! Sepia was fully booked for the celebratory evening. Along with the endless amounts of cocktails being served, guests enjoyed dancing to tunes all night. As a special surprise, dancers in sparkling sequence masquerade outfits joined the party. They all headed to the bar tops and began shaking it. Guests snapped photos and danced along with the entertainers. At midnight everyone enthusiastically rang in the New Year together, hugging, kissing and cheers-ing each other in hopes for an amazing 2012!
Restaurants and pubs all over Gemmayzeh were fully booked; BNL continued its tour stopping in at numerous spots…
Purple Moon is another chic pub that didn’t pass up the opportunity to party this New Year’s Eve. Masked men and women showed up to sing in the New Year. Guests enjoyed dining and live entertainment including vocalists, backed by a live band, as well as violinists serenading guests throughout the evening. The Purple Moon party was perfect for adults who didn’t want to stay in, but also didn’t want to get trampled by the NYE mayhem at the huge events. Being mature doesn’t mean you don’t know how to party.
All of the many tables as well as the full bar at the Roberto restaurant were booked for New Years. Groups were seated at their reservedtables, to enjoy mouth-watering dishes, cocktails and gourmet desserts including heavy chocolate dishes and ice cream that gave guest more reasons to smile. At midnight everyone who was seated jumped to their feet with hands in the air, welcoming the New Year. Hugs and kisses went around the room, party poppers were popped and guests took snap shot photos of a wonderful evening. The dishes served at Roberto restaurant are delectable, I suggest visiting the restaurant even on non-holiday nights.
Moving along to the delightful Downtown area, first stop the Phoenicia hotel for a beautifully white, Winter Wonderland event. Whisky Mist kept us in the holiday spirit on New Year’s Eve with its Winter Wonderland themed NYE event. The décor was a picturesque outdoor scenic settling that had guests partying under the stars (but indoors of course). The bar was beautifully decorated in white faux snow, with large decorative ice blocks. BNL always has a blast at Whisky Mist but this NYE bash topped the entire year! Whisky Mist can proudly say that their tables were fully booked, a packed house of party goers threw on their masquerade masks and festive party hats to pop bottles all night NYE style. Smiles covered faces across the room. Guests enjoyed an open premium bar all night, along with canapés and complimentary party favors. Adding to the great music, entertainment included the gorgeous Whisky Mist dancers who were decked out in white, dancing to the Winter Wonderland theme. At midnight everyone joined together for one big, loud HAPPY NEW YEAR! Icicle streamers and confetti added to the fun! Our New Year’s hats are off to Whisky Mist for an amazing night!
Just down the road a bit a house was getting its roof raised. We all know what and where Harbor 201 is. That classical Lebanese house, dubbed “the red house” on Charles Helou Avenue. The cozy venue serves international cuisine and offers live music that would energize any crowd. Although, the New Year’s pack at Harbor 201 didn’t need any help in that department. Guests gladly sported their NYE top hats, enjoyed music from the live band with a female vocalist and danced the night away. At midnight the energetic crowd welcomed 2012 with happy hearts and high hopes.
Biel Downtown was also home to momentous NYE events, one most likely being the most expensive, elite and exclusive event of the year. Arabic music superstars came together to put on a concert event to remember. The gorgeous, one of a kind showgirl, Haifa Wehbi along with, the legendary and respected name in music, Ragheb Alama showed up dressed to the 9’s to charm the NYE crowd with their most popular hit songs. Haifa was a force not to be messed with on stage, coming out in a sexy form fitting sparkling one piece jump suit, supported by back up dancers and laser light shows everyone enjoyed her sexy performance. Ragheb slowed down the pace a little serenading the audience with his powerful voice. Needless to say many VIP’s and prestigious guests filled Biel to enjoy a lovely evening of dining, drinking and dancing to songs by music’s elite.
Switching the vibe at Biel Add-Mind hosted its own wild night. I hope no one actually blacked out after a full night of surprises at the Blackout party at Biel. The epic New Year’s Eve party presented by Trident in collaboration with Add-Mind and B Production had a blacked out theme that was lit up by glow in the dark and black light fun. White Beirut provided a sparkling line-up of international R&B and House music DJs who were backed by live entertainment. Masked dancers and painted faced stage performers entertained the crowd along with all the extra special surprises. Urban artists were present spray painting walls with colorful artistic designs. The sexy crowd rang in the New Year with champagne, masks, silly glasses, hats, horns, confetti that filled the air and best of all fire works! This NYE party was more then a blast. Next year I definitely suggest you check out what Add-Mind has planned, every year seems to be a killer success.
BNL said goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the city and headed up to the mountains. First stop Jbeil…
BNL as well as fans of Arabic music headed over to the popular Eddé Sands in Jbeil to catch big names, Carole Samaha and AymanZbib, sing in the New Year. Together they gave guests one unforgettable NYE night, singing everyone’s favorite Arab hits. No one stayed seated during this event, guests danced into the New Year! A beautiful full course dinner served that was delicious, which guests washed down with plenty of cocktails. At midnight everyone came together to count down to the New Year.
Young adults looking for a bangin’ event full of everything you would ever want in a New Year’s party, headed over to L’interdit Mzaar. The New Years event put on by Rana Dandache in collaboration with E-Group, sponsored by Redbull, Laurent Perrier, Basement Music, Concierge express and supported by NRJ 99.1 FM and BeirutNightLife.com went off! This party was a celebration as if it was our last one Earth (who knows maybe it will be). The unseen second floor of L’interdit was exclusively available for NYE guests. Guests enjoyed an open full premium bar, a delicious buffet and cotillion needed to ring in the New Year properly. Rounds of shots circled around the place throughout the evening and of course Champagne was distributed at midnight for a wild countdown toast. DJ’s supplying bass bumpin’ tunes were, the fresh faces that everyone involved in nightlife know and love, NRJ 99.1 Mastermix masters Rudebox (white), Mini-B (NRJ Radio) and Base (Skybar, Chocolate). The guys spun amazing sets of Electro, Dance, Hip-Hop and RnB. At midnight everyone shouted out, hugged, and kissed into the New Year.
Finally BNL made it to the chilly mountains of Kfardebian Everyone knows that some of the best NYE parties are up in the highlands. Many book their chalets early to prepare for the NYE mayhem. During this time of year chalets as well as restaurants and bars are fully booked.
Rikkyz, The restaurant that needs no introduction. The large wooden party house was full of guests sporting their party hats, masks and holding horns to blow at midnight. Balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling, fully decorating the restaurant for the event. Rikkyz long rectangular tables were full of cuisine that kept coming all night. After the party at Rikkyz I am pretty sure everyone’s New Years resolution will be to burn of extra delicious calories.
Chez Michel, another restaurant we all know and love, celebrated NYE with a delicious menu of Lebanese cuisine. Guests rang in the New Year dancing to Oriental music, drinking, and enjoying a beautiful evening with friends.
Igloo, everyone has been to, or at least seen, the resto/club with the architectural shape of an actual Igloo. This place is absolutely perfect for the winter season. With its great international menu, this NYE Igloo offered up a delicious four-course dinner along with an open premium bar. Club guests enjoyed music all night long while ringing in the New Year.
La Cave, is where people who are over the crowded clubs, or the fancy sit down dinners, go. The bar had a carefree feel that was perfect for the New Year. Everyone just let loose. Dancers were found tabletop, and fun New Year props added to the already fun night. At 12AM the crowd was full of the deliciously mixed cocktails, which caused for a wild and quite loud HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Le 1700, brought some class to NYE. Le 1700 year after year proves that NYE doesn’t have to be a drunken mess. The elegant and cozy restaurant brought a fine crowd who enjoyed a delectable dinner matched with delicious drinks. Elegant isn’t in anyway boring at Le 1700, guests danced the night away to music and rang in the New Year with happy hearts.
Mzaar Lobby, is where a mature crowd enjoyed a delightful evening at the Mzaar Lobby. The venue was beautifully decorated for guest with streamers, decorative ornaments, colored lighting and more. A lovely dinner spread of delicacies was set out on each table. An attractive and talented team of flapper themed dancers performed for attendees. This even was fun for all ages as well as families who prefer to celebrate all together.
BNL always has a blast on New Year’s Eve, we truly hope that you enjoyed coming along with us on the ride that is NYE in Lebanon. Enjoy the photo galleries below for a visual feast of the above mentioned events.
Comments
BeirutNightLife is not responsible for the comments that users post below.