One night, two parties: From mocktails to burlesque at Bar Beirut this New Year's Eve

Tired of not having family-friendly New Year’s Eve options? Chantelle and Soumi Tannous of Canberra restaurant and late-night venue Bar Beirut are taking charge and hosting their own.

“New Year’s Eve is geared around midnight, and that’s when the activities peak,” co-owner Chantelle says. “But there are people who don’t like to be out late. As a family, we’re always looking for special things to do with the kids, and there’s never much we can do, so we thought we’d do it ourselves.”

Starting at 6 pm, the party is geared around an early dinner to take advantage of the Taste of Beirut set menu which serves up shared plates of seven signature dishes.

Under the curatorship of head chef Mags Hamilton, Bar Beirut is known for its bold flavours inspired by the Middle East. There will also be chicken and chips for kids who are a little less bold with their palates.

As three-time winners of the AHA award for best cocktail bar in the ACT, Soumi and Chantelle are taking their skills and making the kids the centre of attention with their own bubble tea mocktails to sip on through the night, plus a signature cocktail for the adults.

“We hosted a mocktail-making party for our son’s school. The kids got to pick their own flavours, and it was a lot of fun, and we thought we should do that in the bar and open it up to more families,” Chantelle says.

A family-friendly belly dancing show will provide entertainment to wrap up in time for families to head over the bridge and catch the 9 pm fireworks.

Always inspired by the party atmosphere of Beirut, the party will continue for a second round of late-night celebrations for an adults-only crowd.

“This one is for the people who want to come out and stay out,” Chantelle says.

The Taste of Beirut will again provide the evening menu as the entertainment kicks up a notch, with Jazida Burlesque performing what promises to be a spicy show.

Licensed until 4 am, DJ Mista Nige will continue through midnight into the early hours.

Family activities followed by late nights on New Year’s Eve are the norm in Soumi’s home city of Beirut.

“New Year’s Eve starts with a family feast at home followed by fireworks and crackers with the neighbours. It’s the only night of the year that a young adult can then head out to the clubs without being made to feel guilty by their parents that they’re leaving them by themselves,” Soumi says.

“For those who prefer to eat out, people will gather with friends at restaurants similar to Bar Beirut with live entertainment, usually belly dancers and a music ensemble including the oud and darabuka, and of course, a very enthusiastic crowd dancing our traditional dance, the dabke.”

With three young children, Chantelle has no plans to make the mark of midnight. But those who stay late will not only get to ring in the new year, but they’ll also toast Soumi’s birthday at the stroke of midnight.

Check out the fun teaser for the family event at Bar Beirut’s Instagram.

Original Article published by Tenele Conway on Riotact.