This place is legendary, in an obscure-as-you-like divey drinking den kind of way. Blink and you could easily miss this bar, it’s so small. Essentially a liquor store with a few tables squeezed in as a mere after thought. Don’t be intimidated by the dark, smoky haze and the seedy pictures on the wall not to mention the resident old timers and their raucous alcoholic chatter. Open the door and go in, the locals will soon make room for you and start pouring out the arak. The beer is also very cheap and the banter top notch.
148 Sharia Bab Sharqi
Updates
Even though it's in the Christian quarter, be warned that it's more of a male than a female place and women are never seen in there. I send my husband there and go to the hammam with the girls! On Straight Street, near Bab Sharki. Sadly this bar, known locally as Abu Georges, has shut down because of the major roadworks taking place on that street. The building it's in almost collapsed entirely when a too-deep foundation was dug for sewage. Fingers crossed that it will reopen, but as a neighbour I'm not very hopeful!
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