Most Popular Bars and Clubs in Beijing 北京最热门的酒吧和俱乐部
Beijing's main expat-friendly boozing district, Sanlitun (Chinese:三里屯) is famed for its "Bar Street", more properly known as Sanlitun Bei Lu, a north-south strip of drinking establishments a long block east of the Workers' Stadium that at one time contained practically all of the city's bars. The fastest-growing spot for late-night drinking is the Back Lakes (Shicha Hai or Hou Hai), a previously serene spot with a few discreetly fashionable bars north of Bei Hai Park which has exploded into a riot of neon, capped by the ghastly Lotus Lane. Perhaps the most notable trend is the resurgence of hotel bars, which are the most appealing and stylish drinking options in Beijing, most notably Centro (Kerry Center), Red Moon (Grand Hyatt) and Aria (China World Hotel)
"Formal, but not intimidating" is how designer Philippe Starck describes his creation. The opulence of this huge luxury venue is matched by the attention to detail behind the bar, which is stocked with a vast array of European and New World wines. Guests can choose between a restaurant, a lounge that features live entertainment and DJs most nights, an Oyster Bar, a cocktail bar, a cigar room and 45 private VIP Rooms.
Address: 4/F LG Twin Towers, 12B Jianguomen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang District Phone: 10-5109 6012/13 Open Hours: Daily 11am-3am Transportation: Subway Line 1 or 2 at Jianguomen Website: www.lanbeijing.com
A huge favorite among the city’s expats, formerly the Hidden Tree this place is a convivial, stone-floored pub that marries a fantastic array of beers (40 Belgian brews alone) with some of the best wood-fired pizzas in Beijing.
Address: 43 Sanlitun Beijie (100m west of Sanlitun North Bar street, Youyi Youth Hostel, behind Poachers Inn), Chaoyang District Phone: 10-6415 1954 Transportation: Subway Line 2 at DongSiShiTiao Open Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-late; Sun 1pm-late Website: www.treebeijing.com
A short walk north of the Drum and Bell Towers, Bed Tapas & Bar is the perfect Beijing bar – an old courtyard house kitted out with antique furniture, including kang-style beds. Excellent food, plus weekend DJs.
Address: 17 Zhang wang hutong, off Jiu Gulou Dajie, Dongcheng District Phone: 10-8400-1554 Open Hours: Daily 3pm-2am
It may be a hotel bar but it's Beijing's classiest bar where you can guarantee to find a crowd and, quite possibly, visiting rock stars, government ministers and Chinese film directors. A giant bar, spacious lounging areas, a stage, a private room, wine cellars – the Kerry Centre's bar is well-designed and branded right down to the carpets, but far from being oppressive and overdone, Centro is a surprisingly comfortable spot to down a drink and do your best Cary Grant impression. Nightly live jazz performances. Now boasting two happy hours. Happy hour 5-8pm daily.
Address: Kerry Center Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu Phone: 10-10-6561-8833 Open Hours: Daily 24 hrs Transportation: Subway Line 1 at Guomao
A terrific location between the Drum and Bell Towers, and an appealing mix of aged furniture. Cultural Revolution memorabilia, cheap Tsingtao beer, and friendly staff.
Address: 41 Zhong Lou Wan Hutong, Dongcheng District Phone: 10-8403-3600 Open Hours: Daily noon-2am Internet: WiFi wireless internet access
The oldest Hou Hai bar is also the best, with a ramshackle charm that defeats the copyists. Heated by wood-burning stoves, or cooled by lake breezes, it’s perfect for year-round.
Address: 3 Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District Phone: 10-6401-8541 Open Hours: Daily noon-2am
On a hutong dotted with several hostels, Pass By is a well-established travelers’haunt. Relocated in a restored courtyard house down a hutong east of Qian Hai in 2002, Tibetan-themed Pass-by is more gathering place than nightspot, with an extensive English-language library, a useful message board, rotating photo exhibits on the walls, and a good mix of Chinese and foreign regulars. There's great Italian food by a chef stolen from Annie's and a separate nonsmoking section -- almost unheard-of in a Beijing bar. The courtyard is idyllic in summer with outdoor seating. Internet access is available (¥10/$1 per hr.).
Address: 108 NanLuoguXiang, DongCheng District Back Lakes; alley is to left/west of a Muslim restaurant on the north side of Ping'an Dadao -- walk north 150m/492 ft Phone: 10-8403-8004 Open Hours: Daily 9am-2am Internet: Free WiFi wireless internet access 免费无线上网 Credit Cards: All chinese and foreign credit cards accepted
Where Beijing’s smart set mingles with Executive Class visitors. This is the sleek house bar of one of the city’s most high- powered hotels. Dress to impress for cocktails, sushi bar, and cigar lounge. Quality, of course, comes at a price.
Address: 1/F, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Beijing Oriental Plaza, 1 Dong Chang'an jie, Dongcheng District Phone: 10-8518-1234 Transportation: Subway Line 1 at Wangfujing Open Hours: Sun-Thu 5pm-1am; Fri-Sat 5pm-2am Credit Cards: All chinese and foreign credit cards accepted
Souk 苏克会馆
Tucked behind Anni’s restaurant near the west gate of Chaoyang park, Souk is where the Middle East (in the form of hookahs and Lebanese Cuisine) meets the Far east. There are the obligatory Kang-style beds for lounging and a courtyard for al fresco drinking, as well as weekend DJs..
Address: West gate of Chaoyang Park Phone: 10-6506-7309 Open Hours: Daily 5pm-2am
While it may not be as historically significant as its namesake up at the Summer Palace, this Stone Boat does a good latte, it’s a WiFi hotspot and , come evening, it serves as a unique, candlelit venue for a quiet drink.
Address: Lakeside, southwest corner of Ri Tan Park, Chaoyang district Phone: 10-6501-9986 Transportation: Subway Line 1 at Yongan Li Open Hours:10am-late Internet: WiFi wireless internet access, Free Wi-Fi 免费无线上网
The name is from a Richard Mason novel about a prostitute, but this Suzie Wong is wholly respectable and the most famous bar in Beijing. It set the mark for the “opium den-style” popular in Beijing bar-land and it’s stayed ahead of the pack thanks to its guaranteed good-time for all. The in-house DJ trio of Bobby, Youdai and Chozie are among the city's best.
Address: 1A Nongzhanguan Lu, West gate of Chanyang Park Phone: 10-6593-6049 Open Hours:Daily 7pm-late
Huxley’s 德彼酒吧
The house motto is “Shut up and drink.” Not only is this the cheapest bar on the street, it also shows up the other venues as the pretentious wannabes they really are. Cheap drinks and loud, varied music mean that Huxley's is best enjoyed with a group of mates - go alone and you'll meet plenty in there.
Address: 16 Yandai XieJie Phone: 10-6402-7825 Open Hours: Daily 6pm-late
Lotus Root 莲花
Another fine Yandai Xiejie bar, this one squeezed into a narrow,two-story house with a compact, boho interior and roof terrace
Address: 29, 32 Yandai Xiejie, Xicheng District Phone: 10-6407-7857 Open Hours: Daily 10am-midnight Internet: WiFi wireless internet access
Guan Tang
Cozy bar with a tranquil atmosphere, although with cocktails at just RMB30 things often don’t stay that tranquil for long
Address: 13 Dongming Hutong
East Shore live Jazz Cafe 东岸咖啡
Opened by legendary jazzman Liu Yuan - ex-manager of CD Jazz Cafe, the stylish interior of East Shore is hidden behind a non-descript exterior. Featuring live jazz from Thursday to Sunday, go there for the music, the vibe and the panoramic views of Qianhai. Drinks are priced as elsewhere in Houhai.
Address: 2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyanlu (just to the west of the post office on Dianmen Waidajie), Xicheng District Phone: 10-8403-2131 Open Hours: Daily 11am-late
Xin Bar 润心阁
This little gem has colorful Yunnan decorations, leafy foliage, and a roof terrace overlooking the surrounding hutongs. As well as cheap beer there are ten types of tea..
Address: 152 Jiugulou Dajie, Xicheng District Phone: 10-6400-7571 Open Hours: Daily 11.30am-late
Jia Fu Teahouse
Modeled after a Qing-era home, this teahouse is filled with antique furniture and often has live Chinese music
Address: Hou Hai Nan Yan Phone: 10-6616-0725
Aria 阿郦雅
The China World Hotel has managed to neatly sidestep this usual hotel-bar ennui by situating Aria Bar through a small door away from their lobby, enclosing it and making it feel separate from the hotel. A great place for an aperitif, before heading upstairs to Aria Restaurant, it's also a popular place for an after-work tipple or meeting thanks to the huge wine list and large selection of hors d'ouevres. The bar stepped up a gear in March 2007 when it headhunted star mixologist Bruce Li.
Address: 2/F China World Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing Open Hours: 11am-midnight Phone: 10-6505 2266 ext36 Transportation: Subway Line 1 at Guomao
WINNER FOR BEST BARTENDERS, BEST JAZZ Runner Up for: Most Extravagant Bar (The Beach), Best Cocktails, Best Japanese (Haiku), Best New Restaurant (Haiku), Most Extravagant Restaurant (The Boardroom).
This entertainment complex houses three high end restaurants (Haiku, Med and The Boardroom), a high rolling lounge (i-Ultra Lounge) and an outdoor patio (The Beach).
Address: 8 Chaoyang Xi Lu, Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District Block 8 is located on Chaoyang West Gate, inside the Number 8 Complex on Chaoyang Xi Lu. 朝阳西路8号八号公馆,迷城后面 Phone: 010-6508-8585 Opening Hours: 6pm-11pm(Med), 6pm-11pm(Haiku), 6pm-2am(I ultra Lounge) Website: www.block8.cn
Club China Doll is the unofficial home for international dance music in Beijing. Sexy underground styling, a slick drinks menu and chic decor make this tri-level warehouse the hottest new addition to the city's clubbing cohort.
The Workers Stadium north gate is now officially operating at full capacity. With Vics, Flair and now Mix, clubbers have no shortage of dance floor space. Mix is Beijing's own Ghetto Fabulous. A roaster of international guest DJs and cheap drinks keep the large sunken dance floor pumping 'till the wee hours. The crowd comprises mainly youthful, largely foreign, clubbers presided over by wannabe B-Boys and their fly-girls. The music is a puzzle, however, with an in-house DJ crew of locals who paly some upfront beats interspersed with dated '90s pop. With its cheap drinks and good vibe, Mix is worth a visit.
Address; Inside the north gate of the Workers' Stadium, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工体北门内 Phone;010-6530-2889 Opening Hours: Daily 8 pm - 6am Transportation: Subway Line 2 at Dongsishitiao
A mega club to rival the Gongti park, Tango's main room is divided into a large dance floor, ample private booths and bar. Tango's recent renovations, a joint project between local and European design teams, have resulted in updated decor and sound, so expect more glitz and glam than ever before. Top floor Mango hosts bands and live acts while the basement carries on the KTV tradition. Tango has recently joined forces with Bedrock, ensuring that many producers and DJs form the seminal UK label frequently tour, playing every variety of progressive, house and techno.
Address; 79 Hepingli Xijie,South Gate of Ditan Park(near Jindingxuan Restaurant), DongCheng District Phone: 010-6428-2288 Opening Hours: Daily 8:30pm-3am Admission: Free
This newly renovated dance club plays a mix of R&B, pop, and soul music. They've also got a "relaxation zone" playing trance music. Winner of the "Best Dance Club" in 2007 Reader Bars and Clubs Awards.
Address; Inside the north gate of the Workers' Stadium, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工体北门内 Phone;010-5293-0333; 010-6593-6215 Opening Hours: Daily 8.30pm-late Website: www.vics.com.cn
Established over 120 years ago, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is Hong Kong’s most prestigious club. As one of the largest and most successful horse racing committees and charity organizations in the world, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has 18,000 members, including top executives and professionals. Over the past ten years, average annual donations from Jockey Club have exceeded HKD 1 billion, matching donations from the US’ Rockefeller Foundation.
At the center of Jinbao Street lies the Hong Kong Jockey Club Beijing Clubhouse, an exclusive club that caters to members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The exclusive China Club Beijing is located inside a beautifully decorated, 400-year old Qing dynasty palace. Members of the exclusive China Club pay an initiation fee and annual dues to entertain themselves in a setting straight out of "The Last Emperor". The China Club offers a wonderful dining experience.
Address: 51 Xi Rong Xian Hutong (west of the Marco Polo Hotel), Xidan, Xicheng District, Beijing Phone: 010-6603-8855