Explore the uncharted depths of Beirut's nightlife with new BBC Radio documentary

The BBC has shared a thought-provoking documentary that uncovers the vibrant club culture and the powerful politics of resistance in Beirut.

Presented and produced by the British journalist Frank McWeeny, this engaging piece is part of the BBC World Service's renowned Global dancefloor series. During his time in Beirut, McWeeny had the privilege of meeting the visionary team behind The Grand Factory, a club nestled in the heart of the city, defying economic and political challenges.

Furthermore, the BBC has also shared an equally compelling episode shedding light on the club culture and resistance politics in Salvador, Brazil. This episode focuses on Batekoo, a QTPOC collective utilising the transformative power of music, dance and education to advocate for marginalised communities.

Frank McWeeny's statement on his Instagram account around Global dancefloor: Beirut reads: “It’s hard to explain what Beirut feels like. It’s exciting and beautiful in many ways, and it’s really tough at the same time. It’s complicated… But from what I know after several years of being fascinated by Lebanese culture, and from what I’ve experienced over the last few days, it’s clear to me that people’s warmth, positivity and resilience prevail over the constant underlying darkness.

“When I started this project I didn’t realise just how important The Grand Factory club is as a second home for many people. It has a soul and energy I have never felt before. And for it to be rebuilt and reopen 3 years - after being destroyed by one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history, and after countless challenges as a result of the country’s worse economic crisis and a broken political system, is testament to the importance of club culture and loosing yourself, in a place and time where the future is very uncertain.

“You can sense the emotion and how much this space means to its loyal fanbase. It’s a place to dance, discover cutting edge local and international music and have serious fun. But it’s also a place to connect, unite and protest, as the team and their wider community work so hard to make The Grand Factory a representation of the kind of society they want to live in. Welcoming people from all backgrounds, be it religious, social or political, setting up initiatives to promote equality, access to basic human rights, respect for each other and respect for the environment, and giving a platform and opportunities to aspiring local artists in an effort to put underground sounds from the region firmly on the map. It’s a constant work in progress and there is always lots to be done.”

Listen to the Beirut episode here.