2019 is shaping up to the the best year yet for already iconic Beirut club B018. With a bold new design and plenty of heritage to build on, it announces that the first few months of the year will welcome world class DJs like Yaya, Magda, Behrouz, Jimpster, Guti b2b Cuartero, Cassegrain, Bill Patrick, Luca Baccheti and more. Already hugely influential in the region, this new era is another exciting development in the club’s rich history.
People all over the world have heard of the institution that is B018 thanks to how many heavyweights have played there over the last 20 plus years. This underground club is in a bunker in the Lebanese capital’s Karantina neighbourhood, and has recently been totally redesigned by original and celebrated designer Bernard Khoury. The new decor pays tribute to this spot’s glorious and sometime inglorious history, while reflecting its character and authenticity.
The famous venue boasts a retractable roof and is a real theatre experience with moody lighting and atmospheric spaces all coming alive every Wed through Sunday. Known as ‘The Berghain of the Middle East,’ it has live eclectic music nights as well as house and techno guests at the weekend, and a new kitchen serving modern Asian cuisine.
The party season kicks off on January 19th with Desolat’s Yaya headlining, then the likes of Items & Things boss and Italo, dark wave and minimal pioneer boss Magda, and Dutch house kingpin William Djoko all play in January.
February sees cult selector and Crosstown and This And That artist SIS, desert house shaman and Do Not Sit on the Furniture boss Behrouz and Freerange label boss and pivotal deep house master Jimpster all play, as well as a special back to back from Guti and Cuartero who bring the essential tech house.
March will welcome the likes of Serge Devant, Fabio Florido, Cassegrain, Bill Patrick and Luca Bacchetti so that all shades of house and techno are covered in real style.
This latest development in the ongoing story of the celebrated B018 is sure to be another essential one.
In the mid-1980’s, nothing could be heard in Beirut but the sounds of missiles and bullets; while everyone was completely overwhelmed with the raging war, the young Naji Gebran was busy curating his own music in a small chalet with the number B018 at the door. This unit turned later into a music refuge for his music lovers’ friends in the midst of their misery. Having established a real popularity, B018 quickly became a staple in the Lebanese and regional nightlife.
At a time when nightclubs were not very common, B018 captured the hearts and minds of generations of clubbers with its exceptional music and outstanding parties that would last till dawn. It was a musical revelation; an institution that gave credibility and put Beirut on the international nightlife map. It also catered to international DJs needs, who called Beirut their second home, as they grew more connected to the club, country and people.
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