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…
Must-see nightlife in Beijing
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…
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…
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…
Beijing
Ever since this Shanghai export touched down in 2012, Dada has become Beijing's premier venue for esoteric, bass-heavy beats, while remaining…
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…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Legendary bar Hope and Sesame from Guangzhou, voted one of Asia's best bars in 2019, crafted the molecular-style cocktail list at MO Bar, an uber-glam…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
Knock back Beijing-inspired craft beers at this hip taproom, which shares a gentrified hutong development with restaurants, shops, an art gallery and one…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central
The good ship Slow Boat has dropped anchor in central Beijing, which is excellent news for the denizens of hotel-heavy Wangfujing, who now have this…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
