Beijing Bars & Cocktail Lounges

Tourist-wise the palace and Great Wall draw in the crowds but hosting the 2008 Olympics is set to really put Beijing on the map of Great World Cities. With economic expansion has come a construction explosion that makes Berlin look like a backyard job, and with it an explosion of bars and clubs. Venues like The Loft, The Den and Emergency Room draw as many cell-phone toting locals as they do ex-pats and none would look out of place in New York City. China’s youth have gone from Mao to MTV in one generation. Now that’s what you might call a Great Leap Forward.

The Ritz-Carlton Bar - The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, 83A, Jianguo Road, China Central Place, Chaoyang District, 100025 Beijing
The elegant, club-like ambiance of The Ritz-Carlton Bar is perfect for enjoying cocktails and light snacks. Intimate atmosphere, comfortable surroundings, and nightly Latin Jazz entertainment makes this a refined, yet exciting, gathering place in Beijing.

The World of Suzie Wong Club

Babyface

• South of Worker's Stadium
• Beijing,
• Telephone: +86 (0)10 6551 9081
• Hours: Mon-Sun 10pm-4am

The glowing nightclub chain that brought DJ breaks and cocktail beats to the People’s Republic has just opened a Beijing branch. What took you so long baby? Situated at south of Worker’s Stadium, the interior is all bright tiles, glowing neon, reflecting wall mirrors and sparkling ceiling beads. With all the colour, music and flashing lights, it can make it seem at times that you’re inside a pin-ball machine. Still, there’s no doubting the energy and hot looks of this Baby. DJs spin techno and house, there are a number of cosy private rooms to lounge in, and an extensive cocktail list, your favourite Cosmos coming with neon plastic ice cubes in them. One popular concoction here is table service bottles of Chivas, mixed with green tea. A true Chinese original, just like Babyface!

Big Easy

• Chaoyang Park Road
• Beijing,
• Telephone: 86 (0)10 6508 6776
• Hours: Mon-Sun 5pm-2am

What’s this – Cajun and crayfish in central Beijing? If proof were needed of the rapid expansion of the global village it can be found in this authentic Louisiana-style hot spot on Chaoyang Park. Ex-pats looking for a gumbo and jambalaya fix love it, but locals do too, taking seats in the old fashioned American bar area or in the second-floor dining space with its balcony. It’s not quite a Bourbon Street view but it’s close. Music is jazz and blues and a wild once-a-year Mardi Gras party that packs the place out too. And if spicy Cajun food is not your thing, they do fun flirty cocktails. Try the sweet and creamy Mississippi Dream, containing Baileys and Kahlua. Is there is a Yangtze equivalent?

Chivas Flair Bar

• Gongti
• Beijing,
• Telephone: +86 (0)10 6500 5888

Set in the happening Gongti district, next to the Mix bar, we like it for its raucous, unpretentious atmosphere. A live band cranks out covers of Chinese hits on one level, young regulars take turns shaking their tails on another, and those ‘bartists’ pour a fine range of Chivas-based cocktails that keep the joint swinging. In summer, try a Strawberry Chivas mixer.

Havana Café

• Gong Ti Bei Men North Road
• Beijing,
• Telephone: +86 (0)10 6586 6166
• Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-2am

Near the north gate of Workers' Stadium this fun, funky, Latin-themed hangout is popular for long lunches and late nights in its magical beer garden. The tang of grilling barbecue meat fills the air, funky salsa and samba sounds get the bodies grooving and if there was a beach nearby you might even imagine you were in Havana. The interior is less sexy, with a tiny dance floor, but the rum-infused cocktails keep the mood as festive as Carnival. Regulars are attractive, laid-back 20somethings, and should you spot a hot young thing in a Brazil football T-shirt by the bar, ask her to show you her footwork.

Bar Blu

• 4th Floor Tongli Studio, Sanlitun North Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027
• Telephone: +86 10 64167567, +86 10 64174124

Welcome to Bar Blu! Bar Blu is located in the Sanlitun area of Beijing and is a bar which offers the best for a big night out, relaxing evening or a chilled out, beautiful, open air terrace which is now open all year round! Our modern bar is located on the fourth floor and has facilities to cater for every occasion. With our live DJ playing every night, you can choose your favourite song and sit back and listen or get up and dance. Bar Blu is a bar that offers everything; food, drink, entertainment & friendly staff everyday of the week! With cheap drinks Monday and Tuesday, quiz nights Wednesday, Decades Thursday and guest DJ’s and drinks specials all weekend, Bar Blu is the bar to be seen it in Beijing! Our motto says it all “Something for Everybody, Everyday!” We are also the 2005 winners of 6 “That’s magazine” awards including outstanding service, outstanding cocktails, outstanding bar of the year, best place to find a date, best roof terrace and best happy hour!

The Tree - Belgian Beer Bar

• 43 Bei Sanlitun Nan, Chaoyang District, Beijing (100 metres West of Sanlitun North Bar street, Yo Yi Youth Hostel, behind Poachers Inn)
• Telephone: (+8610) 6415 1954

The Hidden Tree first opened in Beijing in June 1996 as one of the first independent Western Bars around. It continues to cater to the growing number of ex-pats as well as to the increasingly more discerning local Beijinger. The Belgian managed Hidden Tree has always striven to introduce a unique range of exciting and different Belgian Beers to all and packs in a lively crowd most evenings The Hidden Tree Garden is an excellent place to come during the summer to relax and try refreshing Belgian Beer. It is also a popular place during the winter with its warm friendly interior, wood fired Pizza Oven and local art on the walls. The bar is an important part of a Belgian Brown cafe. The bar was extended in 2002 to make the serving area twice the size and is a great place for parties.

'Sanlitun Lu' is in the North area. Its also known as 'the Bar Street': a row of bars on one side of the street. Most people go to here.

In the alleys you will find some more bars/restaurants.