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Damascus Clubs Defy Risks in Syria’s Nightlife Rebirth

Informal bar closures plus armed attacks have not deterred DJs or promoters from reviving Damascus’s underground scene.

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Overview

  • Six months after Assad’s ouster, Damascus clubs are selling out despite a nearby fatal shooting that underscored security risks.
  • Berlin-based DJ Nuria drew a sold-out crowd with her underground techno, marking her first performance in Syria since 2011.
  • The HTS-led transitional government has issued no formal ban on nightlife; still, bars have closed under alcohol-sale claims, alongside armed raids on dance venues.
  • Promoters like Philipe Zarif risk informal crackdowns to create safe spaces where Syrians can find relief through music.
  • Nuria plans to return to Damascus on December 8 to mark the one-year anniversary of Assad’s overthrow.