The nineteenth century brought diversification to Eastern Mediterranean pastimes. Residents could visit neighbors and friends at home or meet them at the evening stroll along the waterside or main avenues. Especially as of the 1870s, commercial venues increased to large numbers. Especially the season from New Year to Carnival brought with them numerous receptions and balls as main sites of social prestige. Toward the new century, consumers increasingly expected music and dance opportunities to be on permanent offer through cafés. Especially balls served as loci to perform interethnic and international harmony. While participation in these leisure practices was not equally practiced by all denominational groups, with especially Muslims being underrepresented, there was no formal exclusion of any group, as acquired cultural capital was the main hurdle for taking part and profiting from these sociabilities.