From Abboud’s mango daiquiris and whisky sours to his much sought-after caipirinhas, the man has become a cocktail-making legend in the Lebanese capital and the trio are lucky to have him. Dragonfly sits in a former storage cellar with arched ceilings next door to Torino Express. 

Small in size, it is big in personality and attracts a mid-20- to 30-something crowd of trendy, affluent Beirutis, from ad execs to underground musicians. The DJ plays jazz and groove, and occasionally more eclectic drum’n’bass, but the atmosphere buzzes with friendly laughter as locals drink for hours at the marble bar or perched at the high tables opposite.