It may come as something of a surprise to the uninformed and thirsty that Damascus indeed has a thriving nightlife scene – yet more proof of the great diversity that this country has to offer. The city's main watering holes can be found around Bab Touma at the eastern end of the Old Town, traditionally the Christian district; the city's upmarket hotels also have decent bars.
The selling of alcoholic drinks in Damascus has always been done with care in order to avoid offence, but this freedom has always been guarded – in early 2026, a government plan to restrict serving alcohol was vehemently protested by forward-thinking Syrians of all beliefs and was ultimately dropped.
Archaeological evidence shows that beer has been brewed in Syria for over 2500 years. Nowadays the best-known local beer brand is Afamia, brewed just south of Damascus but named after the ancient city of Apamea in the north. You may also come across Arados beer, brewed in Tartus on the coast. The Al-Shark and Barada beer brands have unfortunately not survived the Syrian civil war. Lebanese Almaza beer and some Turkish brands can now also regularly be found in Syria.
When it comes to the hard stuff, arak is the drink of choice, an anise-flavoured spirit which is usually diluted with water at the table, louching it into a milky white liquid. This is traditionally served with mezze appetisers and is sipped slowly rather than downed in one go.
Wine has an even older history than beer in Syria, a tradition started off in Hellenistic times and carried on by Christian Orthodox communities. Few wines are produced nowadays, but look for the excellent red and white wines from the private Domaine de Bargylus estate near Latakia, occasionally available in the city's upmarket hotels, restaurants and some shops.
Here's our selection of the best bars in Damascus; follow the links below for the locations and more details.
Abu George Bar
A legendary Damascus bar, Abu George ("father of George") opened 75 years ago and has been serving drinks to generations of thirsty patrons – many of them scribbling their names on the walls. A night out in the cave-like bar is dark, cosy and unforgettable. Good luck finding an empty spot for your signature!
Floyd Pub
A cool bar that promises cold drinks, warm lights, and live sounds from DJs on Thursday nights at 21:00, as well as live music on Sunday nights. Drop by on Tuesdays after 21:00 to make the most of arak night.
Mad Monkey Pub
A lively pub with Almaza beer, whisky, and regular party and band nights as well as occasional stand-up comedy nights.
The Barbershop
Hidden inside a fully functional barbershop, complete with vintage hair products and a professional chair, lies the most unusual bar in Syria. A sliding door reveals a New York-themed speakeasy where staff sport 1920s-style uniforms and the vibe is decidedly energetic, fuelled by a broad drink selection, including arak. The party goes on in the toilets, where pressing an irresistible red button unleashes a private 1970s disco session. A truly surreal nightlife option.
Tiki Bar
A small, oddly Polynesian-themed bar in old Damascus, with regular DJ or live music nights that quickly have everyone dancing. The bar plies thirsty customers with cold beers and fruity cocktails. Contact them for weekend night reservations.
The selling of alcoholic drinks in Damascus has always been done with care in order to avoid offence, but this freedom has always been guarded – in early 2026, a government plan to restrict serving alcohol was vehemently protested by forward-thinking Syrians of all beliefs and was ultimately dropped.
Archaeological evidence shows that beer has been brewed in Syria for over 2500 years. Nowadays the best-known local beer brand is Afamia, brewed just south of Damascus but named after the ancient city of Apamea in the north. You may also come across Arados beer, brewed in Tartus on the coast. The Al-Shark and Barada beer brands have unfortunately not survived the Syrian civil war. Lebanese Almaza beer and some Turkish brands can now also regularly be found in Syria.
When it comes to the hard stuff, arak is the drink of choice, an anise-flavoured spirit which is usually diluted with water at the table, louching it into a milky white liquid. This is traditionally served with mezze appetisers and is sipped slowly rather than downed in one go.
Wine has an even older history than beer in Syria, a tradition started off in Hellenistic times and carried on by Christian Orthodox communities. Few wines are produced nowadays, but look for the excellent red and white wines from the private Domaine de Bargylus estate near Latakia, occasionally available in the city's upmarket hotels, restaurants and some shops.
Here's our selection of the best bars in Damascus; follow the links below for the locations and more details.
Abu George Bar
A legendary Damascus bar, Abu George ("father of George") opened 75 years ago and has been serving drinks to generations of thirsty patrons – many of them scribbling their names on the walls. A night out in the cave-like bar is dark, cosy and unforgettable. Good luck finding an empty spot for your signature!
Floyd Pub
A cool bar that promises cold drinks, warm lights, and live sounds from DJs on Thursday nights at 21:00, as well as live music on Sunday nights. Drop by on Tuesdays after 21:00 to make the most of arak night.
Mad Monkey Pub
A lively pub with Almaza beer, whisky, and regular party and band nights as well as occasional stand-up comedy nights.
The Barbershop
Hidden inside a fully functional barbershop, complete with vintage hair products and a professional chair, lies the most unusual bar in Syria. A sliding door reveals a New York-themed speakeasy where staff sport 1920s-style uniforms and the vibe is decidedly energetic, fuelled by a broad drink selection, including arak. The party goes on in the toilets, where pressing an irresistible red button unleashes a private 1970s disco session. A truly surreal nightlife option.
Tiki Bar
A small, oddly Polynesian-themed bar in old Damascus, with regular DJ or live music nights that quickly have everyone dancing. The bar plies thirsty customers with cold beers and fruity cocktails. Contact them for weekend night reservations.
