Bold Rooftop: A show all its own

BEIRUT: Despite the many challenges faced by Lebanon, the country still retains its much-deserved reputation as an exotic destination for a vibrant nightlife. With summer at its height, successful nightclub concepts have been expanding particularly on the rooftops.

“Bold is a rooftop cocktail bar with a dining experience located at Dbayeh, the new pumping heart of Lebanon,” as described on its Facebook page. Its location has positioned the night-spot with attracting large crowds.

Before its opening, the two persons who founded Bold, Francois Awad and Fawaz Kotob, previously owned Loco, an exclusive club nestled next to the Waterfront, which reached its peak of popularity in winter and fall, but is closed for summer.

“Even though Loco the Club was a successful one, we’re always interested in new trendy concepts,” Awad told Annahar. “And what is a better concept than a nightlife experience on a rooftop that has an outstanding view of the sea and Waterfront City?”

This small village can welcome more than 1,000 persons once the doors open.

For a first time visitor, one of the first things they will notice is the ultra-modern decoration and a light system that can provide nuance or brilliance, depending on the moment.

As if it is hanging in thin air, a huge screen appears featuring cool images and designs that add up to the club's illumination.

The two owners have become masters in this club field due to their broad experience.Nevertheless, they always insist on delivering a “high-level experience but at fair prices.”

Experts say the key to good customer service is building good relationships with your customers by promoting a positive, helpful and friendly environment. The owners seem to manage this with a minimum of effort.

Also, visitors notice a similar, but striking trait among employees -- how happy they are. It's not uncommon to see a waiter dancing while serving drinks or singing while holding the tray of food.

The first time anyone parties at Bold they will be hypnotized by the enormity of location and hundreds of people around, as Amanda Sfeir, a new clubber at Bold, said to Annahar.

“Still, I felt as if I directly fit in, because the employees make you feel very welcomed,” she added.

Awad noted that the hiring policy helps to create this vibe.

“If you’re cool you can work with us. We hire people who enjoy what they’re doing, ‘party animals’. Our employees don’t come to work; they come to have a good time,” said Awad.

Even though it’s a rooftop, there is hardly time to star gaze, instead the club serves visitors with a surplus of eye candy.

 At that place, it’s not just a person, their drinks, and hundreds of people crowding around, there’s more to it. Every night is different; nevertheless, they share a common attribute: they are all dipped in a flavor of suspense.

Wednesdays the band “Amy Smack Daddy” rocks the night while Sunday features pure oriental music.

Friday is a mix of both English and Arabic songs and Saturday presents commercial dance music and R&B accompanied by a one of a kind performance from entertainers.

Thursday, you have to come and see. It’s a night of surprises. On such a night Bold has welcomed stars like Ziad Bourji and Ramy Ayach along with a variety of unexpected shows.

Sandy Abou Haidar, one of the most loyal Bold clubbers said to Annahar that what attracts her most to the place is that as you look around; you’ll feel safe and secure.

This is not only because of the protective security guards scattered around but that even if strangers, all the clubbers seem like one large, familiar tribe, who are there with the same goal – to dance, chill and hang out, she noted.

“We always make sure to filter our customers to be up to the standards. And by standards, I mean people who are ‘clean’ and decent. We treat our business properly; no one under 21 is allowed to enter,”Kotob confirms.

To create memories, the club's photographer will make sure to take pictures of the clubbers using a led loop that enhances the resolution. The pictures will then be uploaded on the club's page on Facebook.

So what does it take to start such a nightclub?

About a million dollars, according to Awad.

This wasn’t an overnight business; they’ve been planning over the course of two years. He also insists that one should have a plan and might fail a thousand times before they succeed.

“Start with a small business and make it grow. In order to open this kind of business you should at least have experience. You will face a lot of obstacles especially coming from unethical competitors, but let your success be your comeback,” Kotob said.