Lebanon is home to two cafés that are rewriting the rules of hospitality. Agonista Coffee and Sip and Sign are not just places to grab a cup of coffee: they are spaces where inclusion, awareness and opportunity take center stage.
Agonista Coffee, Zalka
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Agonista Coffee (+961 76 769 444) is a pioneering social enterprise that provides vocational training and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Agonista was founded by Wassim El Hage, a physiotherapist who has spent years working with young people with intellectual disabilities. He saw firsthand how talent and potential were often overlooked, and he wanted to create a space where these individuals could thrive in meaningful, customer-facing roles.
Its cafés and catering services employ staff who have Down syndrome and other developmental conditions thereby redefining what inclusion can look like in a Lebanese workplace. Agonista has also launched Agonista Academy for training organizations to build inclusive workplaces.
Sip and Sign, Dbayeh
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Sip and Sign (+961 71 524 741) in Dbayeh is Lebanon’s first café where Lebanese Sign Language is used as the primary form of communication. Founded by Elie Hanna, a deaf designer who experienced the daily frustrations of communication barriers, the café was created to be a welcoming space for both deaf and hearing visitors.
The café employs deaf and hearing staff who guide visitors through simple signs, creating a warm and inclusive environment. The café also hosts workshops and awareness events, helping to normalize sign language and foster understanding.
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