Bombs fall but cafés and pool halls are full in Beirut’s ‘bubble’
- Posted on April 5, 2026
- By The Times
- 10 Views
In brief
A journalist revisits Beirut after three decades to document the city's remarkable resilience amid ongoing military conflict. Despite frequent airstrikes threatening the region, residents maintain an almost surreal daily routine, with entertainment venues remaining operational. The story explores the psychological coping mechanisms of Beirut's population, who continue socializing in cafés and recreation centers while navigating the constant threat of bombardment. This paradoxical existence reveals how communities adapt to prolonged insecurity.
Bombs fall but cafés and pool halls are full in Beirut’s ‘bubble’
Tom Kington returns to the Lebanese capital after 30 years as it yet again finds itself under fire
