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Since the question is to choose ONLY between Beirut and Dubai, I would answer Beirut especially that the New York Times stated Beirut as the number one vibrant and lively city in the world for year 2009. It has awesome nightlife. Many Hollywood celebrities went to Beirut I remember as I was there (Paris Hilton,...). Remember that Lebanon is a christian country- with a majority of Muslims though so that makes Beirut westernized more than any other Arab capital such as Dubai.
As for those who mentioned Istanbul, remember that Istanbul is not part of the Middle East at all!! Do some research before throwing false sentences and assumptions!!!!
As far as the east Mediterranean basin is concerned, Istanbul beats them all.. It is the greatest city I ever visited: from nightlife to landscape on the northern shores of the Bosporus. Everything is just beautiful and vibrant there.
As for those who mentioned Istanbul, remember that Istanbul is not part of the Middle East at all!! Do some research before throwing false sentences and assumptions!!!!.
While there is much debate as to where Turkey fits in both Culturally and Geographically, most Turks in Istanbul consider themselves Middle Eastern.
I lived in Istanbul for a year relatively recently and pretty much every resident I was close to considered themselves part of the Middle East. This has become even more evident since the election of PM Erdoğan and his positioning himself as the face of the "New Middle East"
Are you confusing muslim-identity for middle eastern? Interesting because so much of the pan-arabic identity came about as a rejection to ottoman-turk rule in the middle-east and seeing the turks as others.
Are you confusing muslim-identity for middle eastern? Interesting because so much of the pan-arabic identity came about as a rejection to ottoman-turk rule in the middle-east and seeing the turks as others.
To a certain extent the Turks are viewed as "others" in many circles, but I am just speaking about how Turks view themselves. And from my experience most Turks in Istanbul (whether muslim or not) view themselves as Middle Eastern, despite not sharing a common language with much of the region.
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Interesting I never though of Beirut as a place with exciting nightlife, unless you mean mortar shells and bombs. How safe is it these days? I know there were some riots there recently.
Interesting I never though of Beirut as a place with exciting nightlife, unless you mean mortar shells and bombs. How safe is it these days? I know there were some riots there recently.
I don't know about Lebanon being exactly safe, but if the Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations show on Lebanon was any indication, it appears that Beirut has a pretty thriving nightlife scene. There were even people partying while the Israeli army was launching mortar shells and bombs on the city.
Seems like it's Dubai these days though I wouldn't be surprised if many will dispute that as their authorities can still be kinda strict. Didn't say Beirut thinking that Hezbollah (Lebanon's current controllers) might have put a kibbosh on it or at least forced them to moderate it... Had this been asked 40 years ago, I would have said Beirut without hesitation.... But I wish you guys added more options to this poll rather than just have us voted other choices under "other"....
Seems like it's Dubai these days though I wouldn't be surprised if many will dispute that as their authorities can still be kinda strict. Didn't say Beirut thinking that Hezbollah (Lebanon's current controllers) might have put a kibbosh on it or at least forced them to moderate it... Had this been asked 40 years ago, I would have said Beirut without hesitation.... But I wish you guys added more options to this poll rather than just have us voted other choices under "other"....
I have no idea how Beirut was 40 years ago, but on my visits as recently as even 6 months ago Beirut is still has as incredible and vibrant of a nightlife as I have experienced anywhere in the world.
I also believe the control Hezbollah has over Beirut is somewhat exaggerated in the media. Yes they have influence and their strongholds, but the general consensus is that they are losing influence and that may be manifested in the 2013 elections. We can only wait and see how accurate that is. As far as everyday life though it seems to be business as usual and Beiruti's are definitely not shy about their love of all things associated with nightlife.
Beirut is very underrated, many people are missing out on a great travel destination because of the misguided fear pumped in the media.
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