Dress code: anyway you like. The Lebanese do tend to over dress and rarely look casual.
It is very safe in Beirut for women, although walking alone late at night in quiet streets is not recommended. Women do over dress here. Anything goes as long as it looks ‘chic’. Obviously this dress is not advisable if wandering the streets or if venturing into outer suburban neighbourhoods which tend to be more traditional – especially the Muslim suburbs. The Lebanese are extremely hospitable so it is recommended to accept either coffee or water. It is considered courteous to do so. Fresh lemonade known as ‘lemonada’ is another option for those not into their caffeine. People like to look at everyone, you may feel you are on show especially when out at night but just be confident if you find someone staring and keep your head held high.
It is not recommended to mention to the war unless you want to have hours of conversation that will find you going round in circles and hearing different versions from whichever of the 17 different religious sects the person you are talking to comes from. Best left avoided. Lebanese today like to forget about the war rather than remember. There are many gays and lesbians in Beirut but it is illegal here to be gay and the scene is primarily underground so no public displays of affection.