Torino Express

For many years now Torino Express has been serving drinks to Beirut’s masses. It’s one of Gemmayzeh’s best-known bars, and it's a great place to been seen looking cool. During daylight hours, it serves as a neat bar-cum-coffee shop, well suited to reading a book over a cup of the black stuff – or, better, a Caffè Corretto (an espresso with a shot of grappa). In the evening things kick off as the music is turned up and the wine is uncorked. The crowd is a mixed bunch, ranging from the über-hip to the medium-cool to the square, but always fun.