Top Beach Clubs and Waterfront Places to Summer in Lebanon
Photo: Parasol, Beirut.
Summer days in Lebanon are spent in or by the water, and most importantly, at beach clubs. The places vary in scene and audience, so I’m sharing my favorite beachside spots. Are you into some tranquil time in the sun, down with a DJ, hookahs poolside or good food? They have it all!
Most places will have a ‘day rate’ to enter unless it’s more of a restaurant like Pierre & Friends or Colonel Reef. The rates can run from $10 to $35 right now as the prices have adjusted a bit since returning to accepting the USD across the country. Once you enter and select a spot/bed, you will pay as you go with food and drinks. In some cases, I would recommend making a reservation (find their contact on Instagram) or going before noon, when you should beat the crowd and find some space.
Orchid is an upscale beach club south of Batroun, a favorite beachside town with some die-hard surfers, and bougie Beiruties rubbing elbows all summer long. Orchid is a nice place to lounge and be a little more posh. Currently the entry was $20.
Butlers Beach Club (sister restaurant House of Butlers in Beirut) is a posh new spot just south of Batroun city area with an incredibly chic hotel Capo as the entrance from the road. This is a must visit if you’re looking for a great scene and make a reservation. Stick around all day and through sunset! This one will be $35 entry.
Just down the road is Soult, a new posh pool by the sea that’s worth checking out.
Blubay Batroun - For the water-sports person, this is a great active spot to jump on a paddle board, surf, dance to the DJ or lay on a lounger. You can join a SUP Yoga class as well! Just ask the team there or even go biking around Batroun or other adventures with Roots, local outfitter. It has changed a little bit since I last visited so it’s a bit more business-like as in they have less of a flip flop surfer dude vibe. The new restaurant there is called Ceviche.
If you’re getting hungry, I recommend heading down to Pierre & Friends, who has some great fresh seafood and access to still jump in the water. You don’t have to pay an entrance fee, just food and drinks.
Colonel Reef Beach - This is an offshoot of Colonel Brewery that’s simmered a little over the pandemic and put a big focus on the waterfront where you can sit with you feet in the water, dine, and have drinks. It’s a surfer kind of hangout. Very local and great beers and their own distilled spirits with some great local seafood specials. It’s a must when you visit Batroun.
Lazy B - My absolute favorite chill vibes spot! This is south of Beirut, and it’s an oasis you don’t even expect until you walk through the entry ticket booth with it’s leafy surroundings. They have various pool setups with access to a beach and waterfront. Typical entry is $20 and can vary from weekday to weekend.
Surprisingly, Jounieh is coming out with their own awesome new spots like Amarilla Beach Experience. I stopped by on a Friday just after peak season and was surprised to not pay a fee. The entrance is inviting into this large, Tulum like feeling restaurant to then turn into this infinity pool with Beirut cityscape in the distance. Highly recommend this spot!
Ô Glacée, the Lebanon Yacht Club - A chill spot that you can rent a paddle board, enjoy more low-key vibes. The rocky beach is a little different and there’s some spring water that comes down from the mountains here. This is the inward photo, however, it’s right on the water and lovely.
Jungle Beach - The same owners of incredible cocktail spots in Beirut like Ales & Tales and Jerry Thomas, have opened this colorful waterside playground with hammocks in the water inlet, different lounge spots of the varying level venue and small beach area.
Go to Anfeh, just north of Batroun. It looks like you’ve stepped onto a Greek Island. There’s a few places to park yourself, have drinks flowing, bites and jump into the water from the rocks when you need to cool off. This place gets packed so make a reservation and get a spot before 12 PM. Typically I try to get a spot at Chez Fouad, so we can eat, enjoy the pool and jump in the water.
Rocca Island (formerly Rocca Marina) - In Chekka, between Batroun and Anfeh, this place packs a party punch. It’s a large space with different types of lounge beds, a swim-up bar, white infinity pools, water sports, and dining options. The music is always pumping here so you have to be down with those vibes.
Lost at Sea - A sister property to a favorite boutique hotel Lost in Beirut in Gemmayze with a favorite hotel lobby bar. This is a short drive from Beirut and a great retreat from the fast-paced city for an afternoon.
Parasol - The newest ‘it spot’ is this colorful waterfront pool in Beirut. The entry down the long road looks kinda sketchy but then you enter and are transported to the fancy, Paris of the Middle East with lavish day beds, fabulous day revelers and rose flowing.
Right in downtown Beirut, consider going over to historic and iconic Saint George Yacht Club. It was the center of the social scene in the height of it’s heyday. This is a historic timeline on their site, and current day, you see this massive sign that is a nod to the clash between the corporations who took over downtown (tied to politicians) and this building who suffered major damage from a car blast. Incredibly fascinating history and is visible to the present day.
Follow me for more Lebanon advice and travel with me in June 2024 — the weather is perfect and the summer season takes off.
While Lebanon can be very laid back, spontaneous, and welcoming, it’s not always easy to get around or set an itinerary as easily for other destinations.
