Beirut cafe culture turns studious amid electricity crisis - in pictures

Good lighting and stable wifi make for an ideal work environment during frequent power cuts

Lebanese people sit with their laptops at a cafe in Beirut on January 14, 2022. - The music is often hushed and the atmosphere studious -- for the patrons filling Beirut's cafes these days, the most important things are good lighting and stable wi-fi. That's because they now serve as substitute workplaces for people grappling with drastic electricity shortages and internet cuts stemming from Lebanon's unrelenting economic crisis. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

Laptops are increasingly evident in Beirut's cafes as people seek reliable power and internet services.

Networking at a cafe in Beirut.

The atmosphere in cafes is often hushed and almost studious, with many people using the venues to work online or read a book, as this barista is doing.

Meals and laptops or tablets are regular bar-top neighbours in Beirut.

Lebanese cafe-laptop culture is growing fast.

Whether surfing the net or working, residents of Beirut are increasingly turning to places that can provide steady power and internet access ... and good coffee, of course.

The hubbub of Beirut cafe life has been replaced with a library-like atmosphere, with laptops and tablets a ubiquitous feature.

In Lebanon's current economic climate, it seems cafes are recommended based on their Wi-Fi connectivity rather than their menus.

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