Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best
Drinking & Nightlife
It's amazing to contemplate, but 20 years ago there weren't any bars in Beijing,
save for a few in hotels for foreigners, and nor were there any nightclubs. Now,
though, the city's drinking and nightlife scene has exploded. You can sip fancy
cocktails in a stylish setting, or neck beers in a hip
hutong
bar, and there are nu-
merous options for dancing the night away.
Choose Your Scene
Just as the number of bars has increased dramatically, so they have spread all across
Beijing. Sanlitun in north Chaoyang remains the nightlife hub, especially for cocktail bars
and clubs, but the
hutong
of Dongcheng North are now packed with cool cafes and laid-
back bars. Nanluogu Xiang and the alleys behind the Drum and Bell Towers are good spots
to head to.
South Chaoyang is home to high-end venues for the CBD crowd, while the Wudaokou
neighbourhood in Haidian has a buzzing student scene centred on the bars and cafes on and
off Chengfu Lu. The free English-language listings magazines (
Click here
)
are the best
way to find out about hot new drinking spots.
Drink Like a Local
Although many Beijingers would rather sing karaoke (
Click here
)
, or share a ¥3 beer and
some street food, than drop ¥60 on a cocktail, rising incomes and the more Westernised at-
titude of young Chinese means the locals are increasingly heading to bars. The many places
around the Houhai lakes are especially popular in the summer, while more and more
Beijingers are partying in the bars and clubs of Sanlitun.
