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
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Beijing
Ever since this Shanghai export touched down in 2012, Dada has become Beijing's premier venue for esoteric, bass-heavy beats, while remaining…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Beijing
For the hordes of students in Wudaokou, all roads lead to Lush. By day it dishes up breakfast, burgers and salads at student-friendly prices and…
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Beijing
Longstanding alleyway bar that knows how to mix a cocktail. The current Chinese owners have retained many of MMC's original signature drinks, such as the…
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Beijing
Finding this discreet hutong hideaway is half the fun, but the creative cocktails (around ¥90), like an Old Fashioned made with coconut-oil-infused gin,…
