Beirut Bunker Bar calls last drinks ... for now

"When we launched Beirut Bunker Bar back in June 2011, the world was a very different place," says co-owner Soumi Tannous.

"Since Covid, it has become clear we need to diversify our service offering to futureproof our business."

During lockdown many hospitality businesses turned to takeaway food delivery, but during the nine-week down in April 2020, the Garema Place bar was limited to just cocktails.

"It was an incredibly stressful time for our family, as the bar is our sole source of income," he says.

"By week two of the lockdown, we received word that my father in Lebanon had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and they too had been placed in a Covid lockdown with no income or government support.

"And if that wasn't enough to process, we discovered we had a surprise baby on the way."

Soumi says while Beirut Bunker Bar received tremendous support from the community who got behind their Bunker Down cocktail range, the revenue generated was just enough to cover the wage for one of their employees who, as an international student, was not eligible for government assistance.

Soumi and his wife and co-owner Chantelle have engaged creative powerhouse Kelly Ross and her team to completely revamp the interior. They're adding a kitchen which promises to excite and delight punters with a modern take on Middle Eastern-Mediterranean cuisine.

However, Soumi assures us the Beirut vibes and lip-smacking cocktails are very much here to stay.

"Our parities have become legendary around town. Some of our regulars have expressed concern that we're turning into a restaurant. We are still very much a bar, the party remains, but it will now be complemented with food and fancier furniture."

Beirut Bunker Bar will close from Monday, August 23, and will relaunch as Bar Beirut later in the year.