Must-see nightlife in Beijing

  • Terrace of Bear Brew overlooking White Dagoba Pagoda in Xisi, Beijing

    Bear Brew

    Beijing

    Run by two affable, aproned Chinese bears (who speak excellent English), this gay-friendly hutong hangout pours a host of house creations such as a 24…

  • Nuoyan Wine Bar

    Beijing

    Move aside, Merlot, it's mǐjiǔ time! Try something new at this rustic tavern specialising in Chinese wine made from glutinous rice (米酒; mǐjiǔ), a…

  • Great Leap Brewing #6

    Beijing

    Lost in a maze of alleys east of Houhai, this tumbledown courtyard is where Beijing's craft-beer scene first burped into life back in the heady, pre-Xi…

  • Soloist Coffee Co

    Beijing

    Partway down a gentrifying hutong is this exquisite coffee roaster and cafe, born here as a pop-up during Beijing's annual Design Week, and now a small…

  • Dada

    Beijing

    Ever since this Shanghai export touched down in 2012, Dada has become Beijing's premier venue for esoteric, bass-heavy beats, while remaining…

  • Arch Bar

    Beijing

    First-rate cocktails come with a first-class price tag at this exquisite cocktail bar hidden inside the Duan Qirui Former Government Building compound…

  • Great Leap Brewing #45

    Beijing

    Raise a flagon of Beijing's original and best craft beer at this industrial-chic outpost of Great Leap, a couple of clicks north of the Sanlitun action. A…

  • Slow Boat Brewery

    Beijing

    Drop anchor at Slow Boat, one of Beijing's original American-run craft brewers, for three floors of busy, beery fun. At least a dozen beers are on tap at…

  • La Social

    Beijing

    Day of the Dead meets Chairman Mao at this carnivalesque hotspot where revellers dance to Latin beats. Cocktails (from ¥60) are heavy-handed with the…

  • NBeer Pub

    Beijing

    The flagship bar of an all-Chinese craft brewer, NBeer is a Beijing original pouring sours, stouts and every style in between. If you only try one (good…

  • Bookworm

    Beijing

    Any author of note passing through Beijing will give a talk at the Bookworm, a beacon in the city's international literary scene since 2005. You can thumb…

  • Jing-A Brewpub

    Beijing

    A stylish setting for a raucous night out, the flagship of Beijing-born craft-beer brand Jing-A is meticulously on-trend and unashamedly American – but…

  • Cinker Pictures

    Beijing

    At this sophisticated nightlife concept, bartenders mix cocktails inspired by classic films (the ‘Dude’s’ White Russian is sexed-up with mole bitters and…

  • Arrow Factory Brewing

    Beijing

    Run by veteran British expat Will, Arrow Factory combines inventive craft ales with impeccable pub grub, served in a two-tiered building with a roof…

  • 1901 Cafe

    Beijing

    This baroque-style, three-storey townhouse is a late-Qing gem that's barely changed inside or out since it was built in 1901, hence the name. It was…

  • Tiki Bungalow

    Beijing

    You can almost feel the warm ocean breeze at this quintessential Tiki bar – or that could just be the heat from its flaming rum cocktails, served,…

  • Berry Beans

    Beijing

    Meticulously fussy coffee is the draw at this little hutong gem, part of a building that once offered more sybaritic pleasures (it was a Republic-era…

  • Nina

    Beijing

    Set up for aperitivo with a bar list that boasts spritz, snacks and multiple variations on the Negroni cocktail, this charmingly simple hutong bar pulls…

  • Lotus Cafe & Bar

    Beijing

    At this popular rooftop cafe with seating indoors and out, your coffee, cake or sandwich is served with a side order of eye candy: the White Dagoba Temple…

  • Big Small Coffee

    Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South

    Hip counter-top hangout for perfectly patterned coffee and fab cookies. After dark, a magic wand gets waved and the cafe transforms, Cinderella-style,…

  • Voyage Coffee

    Beijing

    Handsomely on-theme is this industrial-chic coffee space. It's cool, airy and bathed in natural light, and baristas fuss over single-origin pour-overs and…

  • Great Leap Brewing Lido

    Beijing

    The outermost branch of Beijing's original craft brewpub is a stylish affair enclosing a giant oval bar with 30 taps pouring both Great Leap beers and…

  • Cafe Zarah

    Beijing

    Ground zero for Gulou's laptop warriors, Zarah is a stylish hutong hangout adored for its charming staff, good coffee and welcomingly bookish ambience. By…

  • Other Place

    Beijing

    Like the Alamo for homeless hutong venues, this courtyard contains craft-beer bar El Nido, cocktail den Fang Bar, and Komex taco joint LA Palms – three…

  • Hoper

    Beijing

    This dark and moody cocktail den, all swinging red lanterns and discreet corners, is a hidden hutong gem that lends itself to contemplative drinking,…

  • Mei Bar

    Beijing

    The glammest party in town (at least until the next one comes along) is Ladies' Night at Mei every Thursday. Freeflow champers for the girls between 9pm…

  • Mai Bar

    Beijing

    An intimate affair, Mai Bar hides away in part of an old hutong courtyard, comprising a worn wooden bar, a scatter of candlelit tables and a narrow strip…

  • Lantern

    Beijing

    The best all-round underground club in Beijing, Lantern boasts an incredible sound system and an eclectic roster of DJs from China and abroad spinning…

  • Metal Hands Coffee

    Beijing

    Tiny but stylish third-wave coffee joint with aproned baristas and highly Instagrammable foam art. Founded on Wudaoying Hutong, it has another outlet a…

  • Aurora

    Beijing

    Intimate club opened by DJ veteran and local legend 'Da Bing', aka Pancake Lee (so named, apparently, for his perfectly round face). Pancake and friends…

  • D Lounge

    Beijing

    With its cathedral-like ceiling, low-slung chesterfield couches and sci-fi illuminated bar, D Lounge is the best-looking bar in Beijing, and draws a…

  • 4corners

    Beijing

    Enjoy local craft beers and Southeast Asian–inspired cocktails at this alleyway bar popular with Beijing millennials. If you're lucky you might catch a…

  • Destination

    Beijing

    Beijing's best queer club really is a destination in itself, with multiple rooms, an outdoor bar, a restaurant and a program of LGBTIQ+-related cultural…

  • Stone Boat Cafe

    Beijing

    A pondside pavilion in the form of an ornamental boat, this is a delightfully eclectic nook to savour a pot of Chinese tea or a beer, and see the…

  • Paddy O’Shea’s

    Beijing

    For that crucial crunch match you simply can't miss while on hols, Paddy's is the place. Dealing in the happy union of beer and televised sports (on…

  • Long Table

    Beijing

    With its world flags, wall scribbles and cheap western chow, this is Beijing's only bonafide backpacker hangout, sharing a building with 365 Inn. By day…

  • Panda Beer & Noodle

    Beijing

    Beer nerds like to pour scorn on Panda Brew, a Beijing-born brand that doesn't quite cut it with the best of them. In the interest of fairness, make your…

  • Lush

    Beijing

    For the hordes of students in Wudaokou, all roads lead to Lush. By day it dishes up breakfast, burgers and salads at student-friendly prices and…

  • Mao Mao Chong

    Beijing

    Longstanding alleyway bar that knows how to mix a cocktail. The current Chinese owners have retained many of MMC's original signature drinks, such as the…

  • Whisper Bar

    Beijing

    Finding this discreet hutong hideaway is half the fun, but the creative cocktails (around ¥90), like an Old Fashioned made with coconut-oil-infused gin,…

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