The name of its predecessor alone conjures up images of the world’s other famous La Voile Rouge in St. Tropez but don’t let your fantasies get the best of you as you make the scenic drive up the Lebanese coast to the historic town of Jbeil (Byblos) where Bay 183 is located. Set along a seafront sprawl of grassy dunes and sand, this freestanding beach club is known by most by its former name, but still manages to pull in the same sexy and fun summer crowds for afternoon spritzers and early evening beach parties.<br /><br />The town of Byblos goes back at least 7,000 years, but this crowd no more than 20-or-so with a tanned and trim collection of beach singles that show-up to the outdoor swatch of sand with its thatched-roof bar and outdoor dance floor attended by rotating international DJs from May through September. The club lacks the refined tanning scene of the South of France, preferring to layout of home-brought towels, straw mats and oversize beach balls. Between beers and glasses of Pinot or Rose, there’s also an on-site cafe as well as a sushi bar for carb-free indulgences that keep the locals looking so oh-la-la. <br /><br />
Tips
Go early as the crowds are sexy enough to warrant a daytime view before things get more of a nightclub vibe in the evening.
Last Word
There’s no website and the phone listed by several media sources online is actually a cell phone of a former-promoter who doesn’t take kindly to 2am calls for directions.