A Velvet-Dripped Sanctuary: Inside Clubroom Beirut by Carl Gerges Architects

In the heart of Beirut’s eclectic Pasteur Street, Carl Gerges Architects unveil Clubroom—an immersive speakeasy where Art Deco nostalgia meets contemporary sensuality in a cinematic sequence of textures and light.

Hidden behind unassuming doors in a district celebrated for its architectural heritage, Clubroom is less a bar and more a transportive experience. Conceived as a retreat from the city’s chaos, it opens with a corridor cloaked in deep green velvet and mirrored ceilings that bend perspective and perception alike. The prelude is as much about theatre as it is about tactility—guests are ushered not simply into a room, but into a world.

At the end of this velvet-lined passage, a reception desk in lacquered rosewood signals the beginning of a spatial crescendo. Once inside, the space centers around a commanding black granite bar—monumental and sculptural—encased in a frame of mirror paneling. The reflections amplify the energy, invite people-watching with elegant discretion, and create a moody rhythm that pulses in sync with the soundscape.

High stools in ochre bouclé ground the visual warmth, drawing attention to the carefully orchestrated layout. But it's the material narrative that sings: a palette of rosewood, metal, granite, alabaster, and animal print evokes an atmosphere that’s both daring and sophisticated—equal parts restraint and revelry.

Throughout, subtle nods to Art Deco define the design language: structured chandeliers, geometric wall appliqués, and sharp black cornices articulate each surface with intention. Every angle feels curated, yet entirely natural.

As Beirut reclaims its cultural and nightlife identity, Clubroom stands as a symbol of refined escapism—a place where design becomes emotion, and architecture doesn’t just shape the space, but sculpts the experience.

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Photography courtesy of Carl Gerges Architects