4. Yarn with Soumi Tannous

If all you’ve heard about Beirut is on the news, you’d be forgiven for thinking the famous Lebanese capital is nothing but a city of war, hate and hostility. But as the saying goes, that’s bullshit.The real Beirut is a buzzing epicentre of nightlife, renowned by party people from all corners of the globe as one of the places to be for beats, eats, vibes, love and cocktails… a cosmopolitan heart beating with bars and clubs open all hours, places where nobody cares about your religion, your race, or the hand you want to hold.As wars have come and gone, Beirut has been continually reinvented by generation after generation of cocktail lovers and clubbers who revel together in its music, dance, and hospitality par excellence. Every day of the week and every person walking the street is equal in the eyes of a Beirut dawn, each sunrise bringing with it the polished pride of the Lebanese people.Bar Beirut is about serving the fantastic possibilities of the future, one cocktail at a time.The masterful hands behind the Bar Beirut cocktail menu, co-owner Soumi, learned his trade in the underground nightclub scene of war-torn Beirut, perfecting incredible cocktail skills, developing harmonious recipes and becoming a renowned personality in what is widely regarded as one of the best cities in the world for nightlife.On a first name basis with most of Canberra, be sure you introduce yourself as this bartender is always up for a chat. Soumi dropped in for a chat about growing up in Lebanon, passion for his craft since this interview was recorded in 2023, he has a few more hospitality awards under his belt. Bar Beirut still feels like a second home to my family and me in Canberra where you can meet interesting people every single time!