Macau
Macau's most elusive bar is not so due to its location (a few doors up from Che Che Cafe) or that it's unknown, but because whether one gets in depends on…
Must-see nightlife in China
Shanghai Old City
A bit like the attic of an eccentric aunt, this wonderfully decrepit 2nd-floor teahouse, overlooking the throng of Old Street, is a temple to the 1930s,…
Hong Kong
Central's best LGBTIQ+ night out is Petticoat Lane, a basement club with sparkling foliage hanging above the bar, a dance floor, a small outdoor terrace…
French Concession
White concrete walls decorated with stovetop espresso makers leave no guessing as to what design-savvy Fumi is all about: good coffee. Single-origin beans…
French Concession
Designed like a Brazilian favela, Barrco is a great summer spot with plenty of Latin energy. It's colourfully painted, with a corrugated iron roof,…
Shanghai
Large tap room serving craft brews from California, with seating for more than 100 drinkers in an industrial-chic layout with exposed concrete beams and…
Hong Kong
The moreish, heady scent of freshly roasting coffee is amplified in this speciality coffee shop, thanks to the roasting room directly behind the counter…
Hong Kong
A local favourite among Western District residents, Junels Resto Bar is a Philippine restaurant with a difference (basically, you won't come here for the…
Hong Kong
This Chinese medicine shop has a counter selling herbal teas – for detoxing, getting rid of water, cooling the body or treating colds. The most popular is…
French Concession
This eccentric, unconventional boho haven is a delightful Tianzifang hideaway, with creaking, narrow wooden stairs leading to a higgledy-piggledy array of…
French Concession
By day this is a lovely little cafe to enjoy a book and single-origin coffee. Opt for beans from Costa Rica, Kenya and beyond, and have them brewed via…
French Concession
Located in the Found 158 hub is this Australian-run craft-beer bar. The range of sudsy beers will satisfy both novices and serious hopheads. Knock back…
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…
Yangshuo
The perfect antidote to West St's tacky nightlife is this divey neighbourhood bar, hidden down an alley on the 3rd floor of a residential building. It's…
Guangzhou
Who'd have thought topping bubble tea with cheese foam or fruit pieces would start a revolution? With HEYTEA opening all over Guangdong and wider China,…
Suzhou
Běijīng’s excellent Bookworm wormed its way down to Sūzhōu, serving as a kind of comfy cultural hub, library, bookshop and cafe. The food is crowd…
Shenzhen
A standout among Shenzhen's emerging boutique cocktail dens, Mixy reflects the personality of its eccentric owner Wu Xun (aka Planck), who rocks a pencil…
Hong Kong
If you're looking for sports screens but reluctant to set foot in a mock English or Irish pub, Slide on 79 has you covered. But with its cocktail menu,…
Henan
Guangying Cafe is a breath of fresh air in Kaifeng. Come here for cold drip coffee, generous lattes and icy-cold craft beer. The food service is slow but…
Nanjing
Cafe by day, craft-beer bar by night, this trendy place tucked down a little road off Shanghai Lu is popular with students from nearby Nanjing University…
French Concession
Hand-crafted microbrews, a big range of comfort food and sport on TV… no surprise this massive hang-out heaves on Fridays and Saturdays for brunch and…
Guilin
One of a string of intimate (and near identical) bars across from the southwest section of Rong Lake is this cool little spot that's split over two…
French Concession
Zapfler’s forte is tasty German beer and equally delectable beer food. For around ¥50 a pint you’ll find a host of home-brewed IPAs, lagers and wheat…
Hong Kong
Still wearing your sightseeing grubbies and don't feel up to the glam nightspots of Central? Head to this ultralocal open-air beer kiosk at the ferry pier…
French Concession
The bow-tied staff at the Japanese-run Constellation take their drinks seriously – you’re not going to get any watered-down cocktails here. A choice…
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…
Xining
Greenhouse has a charming, rustic split-level wood interior, super-comfy leather sofas and some of the best coffee in town (from ¥25). You can also munch…
Lantau
Sleek and somewhat corporate-feeling, this Caribbean restaurant and bar is always packed with Disco Bay expats sipping rum cocktails and eating plates of…
Hong Kong
This institution in the heart of Soho has been quietly selling herbal teas and fresh sugar-cane juice since 1948 – its quality is unchanged, as are the…
Kunming
Sixteen homebrews, a fridge full of imports and a fun-loving vibe all recommend this as one of the better craft-beer places in Kunming.
Lhasa
After dark Lhasa's coolest nighttime spot is this stylish 2nd-floor bar and restaurant, full of sleek designer wooden tables, sofas and cool lighting and…
French Concession
Grab a craft beer from the fridge, plonk on a stool and listen to some tunes from the excellent selection of vinyl at this shop and bar. Sip on a Saranac,…
Dali
In a quiet corner of the old town, this fun place carries European and American craft brews plus some locally produced 'foreign' options (¥39 to ¥69)…
Shanghai
Not to be confused with the clothing brand, this cocktail lounge-cum-speakeasy is hidden behind a grey facade on the corner of North Shaanxi Rd. It's a…
Hong Kong
It may look like your average, petite LKF bar, but inside the Globe is a vast, pubby beer hall with an impressive list of 150 beers, including 13 on tap;…
Hong Kong
Look for the kegs turned into squat bar stools down an alley off Tai Ping Shan St and you'll find this laid-back bottle shop and craft-beer bar. There's…
Shanghai
One of the cheapest drinking options in town, Windows is a cheery underground dive bar that's been in Shanghai for more than a decade. It serves bargain…
Kowloon
On a lively strip of independent eateries and bars, Tap pours around 20 local craft ales in its exposed brick, blue-painted space. Staff aren't the…
Guangzhou
A heritage gem in the historic Dongshan area, Kuí Yuán has a sunny cafe with balcony terrace on its top floor serving coffee, cakes and cocktails. The…
