Hong Kong
This friendly, unassuming bar with a bohemian vibe is named after a protest march on 1 July 2003. It's a favourite haunt of local artists and activists…
Must-see nightlife in China
Shanghai
One of the more elegant lounges in town, with a mock copper ceiling and low designer chairs. There's an emphasis on beer, cocktails and food from the sea…
Chengdu
In-the-know locals call this some of the best coffee in Chengdu, and we're inclined to agree. It certainly has the best selection of brews we've seen in…
Shanghai
Beer Lady’s sister joint and Mrs Zhang's second beer venture, this Kaixuan Rd location is bigger, better and stocks even more bottled good stuff …
Nanjing
Founded by China's 'father of craft beer', Gao Yan, this micropub was the first of its kind when it opened in 2008. The beer house has 15 fresh brews on…
The Bund & People's Square
An exclusive penthouse-style club with knockout city views and snazzy fusion food, but not a lot of dance space. Dress to impress or you’ll get thrown…
Dali
One sip of the flat white here and you'll swear you're in Melbourne, or at least Sydney. A rooftop terrace sweetens the deal, as does a small but tempting…
Dzongyab Lukhang Park Teahouse West
Lhasa
One of two good Tibetan-style teahouse restaurants in pleasant Dzongyab Lukhang Park.
Hong Kong
If there was a million-dollar view in Hong Kong, it'd be the one from the balcony of flashy Sevva – skyscrapers so close you can see their arteries of…
Kowloon
A discreetly upscale drinking den hidden in the residential part of Tsim Sha Tsui, this Japanese bar is split over two floors, with whisky on top and…
The Bund & People's Square
Bar Rouge attracts a cashed-up young party crowd who come for the fantastic views from the rooftop terrace and the all-night DJ parties (tickets from ¥220…
Suzhou
It’s almost inevitable that you’ll need to refuel when exploring Pingjiang Lu and this funky, hidden coffeeshop, serves a killer espresso. Besides…
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…
New Territories
Tea connoisseurs may like this eccentric store that whips up lattes with Iron Buddha leaves and 'yin yeung' with Blue Mountain. The boss Mr Cheng charges…
Macau
At this thriving cafe next to shipyards, instant coffee is hand-whipped with sugar to create a peanut-buttery texture. The owner Mr Leong was a shipyard…
Hong Kong
Bargain-hunters and thirsty shoestringers rejoice: happy hour runs from 4.30pm to 10pm at arty Colette's, which makes it one of the cheapest bars in…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
Awash in purple neon, funky furnishings and African-inspired curios, Djiboutii is a back-alley bar with bags of personality. Choose your perch – at bar…
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…
French Concession
Getting into this superstylish bar-cum-restaurant is an achievement in itself. That’s not because there’s a door policy, but because the shiny steel doors…
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…
Hong Kong
Just what the doctor ordered: lying somewhere between a Victorian hothouse and a scientific lab, Dr Fern's draws on gin's botanical biology for its trippy…
Kowloon
This delightful tea pavilion has graceful wooden corridors and intimate alcoves, which provide the serenity required for savouring good Chinese tea. It's…
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…
Xining
This Tibetan place is a top choice for a coffee, or a Tibetan breakfast (tsampa porridge with honey; ¥22) at the start of your Xining day. There's Bob…
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,…
Tianjin
One of Tianjin's longest-running bars, this foreign-friendly, slightly gritty student hang-out has an unlikely location hidden away in the middle of an…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
This retro-styled backstreet bar takes its name from a 1960s Cantonese opera troupe. In common parlance, Tai Lung Fung (Big Dragon Phoenix) means 'much…
Inner Mongolia Hotel Café & Bar
Inner Mongolia
This ground-floor bar at the Inner Mongolia Hotel may have overblown, kitsch furniture, but there's a calming tranquillity about it that's just the ticket…
Shanghai
Ale connoisseurs can earmark this nifty microbrewery bar in the Kerry Hotel, where resident brew-master Leon Mickelson dispenses six on-tap handmade beers…
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…
Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island
A long-lived bastion of expat boozing, this British pub lookalike pours its own Master Dickens lager along with craft beers from Gweilo, Young Master and…
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…
Kunming
This Yunnan-based chain of Irish pubs actually hits pretty close to the mark with a massive beer list (though disappointingly no Chinese options) and…
The Bund & People's Square
On the top floor of Three on the Bund, Pop's splendid roof terrace is divided into multiple entities, all with choice views of Pudong’s hypnotising neon…
Yangshuo
Way above the throngs choking Xijie, Mojo Bar – on the 6th floor and roof of the Alshan Hotel – has the most amazing outdoor terrace with wraparound views…
Guilin
Guilin's best spot for coffee is this arty cafe that roasts its beans onsite, sourced anywhere from Yunnan to Ethiopia. Its peaceful location by Rong Lake…
Xi'an
The top floor of So Young City Center Hostel hosts this quirky, loft-style bar full of wooden benches and beams, plants, country flags and a friendly…
Suzhou
Upmarket bar and restaurant with a small rooftop terrace, serving craft beers from Taipei-based Zhǎngmén Brewing Company. This is the company’s only…
