The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub started as a humble Lebanese Restaurant in 1970 but has since expanded into a multi-purpose dining, music, and entertainment complex. The Middle East - Upstairs is the original music and entertainment venue and has been showcasing multi-ethnic performances since the 1970s. In 1988, The Middle East began its first expansion with the development two new facilities: The Middle East - Corner & Bakery, a restaurant, bar, and small-stage venue, and The Middle East - Downstairs, a 575-person capacity venue located in the basement of the complex. An upscale restaurant and club, The Middle East - ZuZu opened in 2001 followed by the 350-person capacity concert venue Sonia in 2017.