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.