Sometimes in Gemmayzeh, it’s hard to tell which pub you’re in if you’re on the inside. They all tend to be like prefab bars with different highlights and color schemes. A few bars and pubs stand out though, and Sepia is definitely one of them.

In fact, allow me to choose a better category for the venue: restaurant and lounge.

The place is situated on St. Nicolas’ Stairs, the famous cultural hotspot on Gemmayzeh that was there well before any pub or club moved into the ancient street. So, they got the perfect location in Gemmayzeh for their style of entertainment: a posh, sophisticated atmosphere that attracts the more high-end (and high-salaried) pub-goers.

It has a large rectangle-shaped bar, with 4 large rooms that were once someone’s bedrooms, that have comfortable tables and chairs that can house some 20-30 people per room. In other words, it has a homy-feel to it with charming traditional Lebanese architecture fused with modern chic elements.

Make no mistake though, this isn’t exactly a stop on your barhopping route. Instead, it’s a nice place to take your date out for dinner and some dancing later on at night. Or maybe regroup the friends who are visiting from the rest of the world for dinner and a couple of drinks before clubbing somewhere else.

Its clients are more mature than the crowds other places in Gemmayzeh attract though, so consider that before booking a table, you don’t wanna bump into your aunt accidentally (like I did once =P).

Overall, it’s a place similar to Estancia, only with louder music. The DJ showcases everything commercial and in, shuffling between RnB, House and some Arabic favorites.

Lounge/Resto: Sepia Gemmayzeh
Location: St. Nicolas Stairs
Music: Commercial House, RnB and Arabic music
Price: $80-100 should be enough to dine and wine you and your date
Door Policy: 21+
The Verdict: Mark this place as a potential date destination, but not-so-much for barhopping (the beer is 14,000LL/bottle =\)