Top end
Cloud Nine Bar
Get your glad rags on and your hand in your pocket with Beijing's jet set crowd. Daily 8am-2am. Shangri-La Hotel Beijing, 29 Zizhuyuan Lu, Haidian District. 6841-2211 ext 2723. ,
Centro
Landmark bar and lounge with five-star atmosphere and design and prices to match. Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District. 65618833 ext 42.
Face Bar
School-turned-bar and restaurant. A pool table stands by the entrance and outside, clumps of bamboo, a man-made stream and carved wood stools create a surprisingly atmospheric place in which to kick back. 26 Dongcaoyuan, Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang District. 6551-6788.
Icehouse
This former Qing Dynasty building has amazing walled corridors twists and turns to reveal a stage, which plays host to f blues and jazz. 53 Xi Peilou, Dong'anmen Jie, Dongcheng District. 6522-1389.
Suzie Wongs
A 1930s opium den, it offers dimly lit curtained alcoves along with spacious main seating areas, ornately furnished with antique Chinese furniture and hanging lanterns.
1A South Nongzhanguan Lu, Chaoyang Park West Gate. 6593-6049.
Link
Claims to be the highest bar in the city. Good views on clear days and nights. Daily 10pm-2am. Building A, 26th Floor, Jianwai Soho, Chaoyang District.
Middle of the road
Browns
Extremely popular bar/club with foreigners, who make up 80 per cent of the crowd. Fun, vibe with 80s, 90s upbeats hits the mainstream musical diet. 2am till late. 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. 6591-2717.
The Hidden Tree
Famous for foreign, mainly Belgian, beers and its pizzas. Generally a quiet place, the hubbub of conversation is sometimes accompanied by live music. Mon-Sat 11am - late, Sunday 1pm - late. 43 Sanlitun Beijie (behind Poachers and Fish Nation), 6415-1954.
No Name Bar
The original kid on the block heralding the start of the Houhai circus. Easy atmosphere and nice toilets. Daily Noon-2am. 3 Qianhai Dongyan, (next to Kaorouji Restaurant), Xicheng District. 6401-8541.
Souk Bar and Restaurant Spacious bar, cluttered with dark wooden tables, cupboards, plant pots, hookah pipes, colourful cushions and red lanterns. Daily. Chaoyang Park West Gate (behind Annie's). 6506-7309.
Stone Boat Bar
Overlooks the manicured park gardens and the lake. Inside, the roof, crossbeams and windowsills are elegantly painted in traditional Chinese style. Healing teas, beers, wines, cocktails and spirits. Daily 10am-late. Lakeside, southeast corner of Ritan Park, Chaoyang District. 6501 9986.
Goldfish Home Bar
Lakeside-drinking spot looks like an elegant gentleman's club plucked straight from 1920s Shanghai.
Daily. 5 Lotus Lane (or Lotus Market, hehua shichang), Houhai, Dongcheng District. 6615-8966.
The Pavillion
Has a 90 wine cellar, 40 scotches, range of cigars, Guinness and leather sofas. Good place for networking. 10am to late, seven days a week. Opposite the west gate of the Workers' Stadium, Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. www.pavillionbeijing.com. 6507-2617.
Latinos
Latin culture is highlighted here with nightly dance lessons. Tue-Sun, 9pm-late, A12 Nanxincang Historical Complex, at Dongsi Shitao (entrance at Dongmencang Hutong), Dongcheng District. 6409-6997. Latinoschina@gmail.com.
Ma Da Mi
In the Mosuo language, "Ma Da Mi" has two meanings: love and good fortune. The ambience with colourful ethnic minority culture of Yunnan provides its guests with a full range of entertainment including live singing and dancing performances, and traditional food and drinks from the Mosuo region of Lugu Lake. Daily. Yuan Dynasty Bar Street, east side of the Tucheng River bridge, North of Beisanhuan Lu, Chaoyang District. 8461-4399, 8461-4130.
Nashville
The Sanlitun South survivor now comes with a "deep South" feel second floor, decked out with tan leather chairs, dark wood paneling. Live music with 70 per cent other than country. Daily,11am-3am, Haoyun Jie, 29 Zaoying Lu, Chaoyang District. 5867-0298.
Alfa
Stylish dcor and seated gallery. Hosts a mixed crowd, a fountain and private tables. 80s night on Fridays. Daily 11am-2am. 5 Xingfu Yicun, (in the alley opposite the Workers' Stadium north gate), Chaoyang District. 6413-0086.
Aperitivo
A good people-watching spot with European flavour. Straight-back red chairs and red sofas give corporate feel. Daily 10am-late, 43 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District. 6417-7793.
As One
A wall painting of Santa Claus puffing on a cigarette next to a panda sucking a lollipop says it all. East meets West. 10am-10pm, 798 Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 8456-0437.
Cheap and cheerful
Nanjie
The slogan "Shut up, just drink" goes with cheap booze to the sound of British indie tunes. Young and distinctly happy crowd. Daily 5pm- late. Gongti Beilu (opposite the Workers' Stadium north gate), Chaoyang District. 6413-0963.
Bus bar
Two buses gutted out and welded together for your evening of entertainment pleasure. Dirt cheap drinks and scruffy atmosphere appeal to the crowds. Edge of the parking lot across from the north gate of the Workers' Stadium, Chaoyang District.
Bla Bla Bar
Situated inside the BLCU campus, offers cheap booze, and international crowd. Good sports coverage. Daily 2pm-2am. Beijing Language and Culture University, Haidian District. 6239-7033.
Kai Club
A fave for those getting tanked up on the cheap before going elsewhere. Mon-Fri 6pm-2am; Sat-Sun 6pm-4am. Sanlitun Beijie (around the corner from Poachers Inn), Chaoyang District. 6416-6254.
Poachers Inn
With the same tunes every week, Poachers takes full advantage of the transient population but does it well. Young local and expat student favourite. Non-stop dancing. Daily 8pm-late. 43 Bei Sanlitun Lu Chaoyang District. 6417-2632 ext 8506.
VJ meets DJ at Centro
From March 22 to 24, DivX, a sizzling young duo from the UK, will offer a live audiovisual performance guaranteed to provoke. Brought together by a mutual passion for video and music, Ian Knowles and Amy-Jayne join forces to combine their talents in production, editing, DJ-ing and turntablism, and present a new concept in performance through cross-genre music, and out-of-this-world visuals. Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District. 6561-8833 ext 42.
Sports bars
The Den
Popular with foreigner sports fans into football, rugby and cricket. Dancefloor upstairs. Daily 24 hours. 4 Gongti Donglu, (next to City Hotel main entrance), Chaoyang District. 6592-6290.
Goose and Duck Pub
A mainly expat crowd in this pub cum sportsbar venue. Nice beer and great food served in spacious seating area. Daily 24 hours. 1 Bihuju Nanlu, Chaoyang Park west gate, Chaoyang District. 6538-1691.
Frank's Place
Sports bar with clean, light, comfortable wood-paneled interior and no frills patio area with mostly a male, middle-aged customer base. Daily, 10 am to 2 am, Jiangtai Lu, west of Rosedale Hotel, Lido area, Chaoyang District. 6437-8839, 1343-979-6359
The Pomegranate
Situated in an old hutong, sport is the focus with some charcoal black and white surrealist artworks hang on brick walls capped with a timber ceiling. Daily 11am-midnight. 19 Kaifa Lu, Xibaixinzhuang, Houshayu, Shunyi District. 8046-2558. ,
Hutong hideaways
Bed Tapas & Bar
Sprawls of cushions and bed-type booths make this a cool hangout. Mon-Tue 4pm-late; Wed-Sun 12pm-late, 17 Zhangwang Hutong, Xicheng District. 8400-1554.
Pass By Bar
Intimate atmosphere and a comprehensive Italian menu. Known for its (often inaccessible and unorganised) book collection until Bookworm came along and stole the show. Daily 9am-2am. 108 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District. 8403-8004.
Candyfloss Caf
Nice quiet place for a drink. The interior of the courtyard bar features five-fingered red armchairs, fireplaces. Daily. 35 Dongmianhua Hutong (off Nanluogu Xiang), Dongcheng District. 6405-5775.
Ball House
A red door in a secluded alleyway is home to this pool haven. Pool costs 50 yuan an hour, drinks are on the pricey side. 2pm-late, East of the Drum Tower, Zhonglouwan Hutong (next to Hosanna Caf), behind Gu Lou Xidajie. 6407-4051. ,
Drum and Bell
Homey atmosphere built in an old courtyard, with roof terrace seating area. You can look across the hutong roofs of old Beijing. Daily Noon-2am. 41 Zhonglouwan Hutong, Dongcheng District. 8403-3600.
Live music
Yugong Yi Shan
Live music, which explains the low stage and mosh/sway area. The bar area, with black-fleeced sofa against the wall painted red, is combined with the dancefloor with pool tables out back. Daily 5 pm-late (bands start at 10 pm). 1 Gongti Bei Lu (rear of the car-park opposite Workers' Stadium North Gate), Chaoyang District. 6415-0687.
D-22
Run by music lovers for music lovers, the bar plays live jazz and rock music. Daily, 13 Chengfu Lu, Wudaokou, (between Wudaokou Subway and Peking University), Haidian District. 6265-3177. www.d22beijing.com.
Star Live
Features big name international bands and top local talent. South Gate of Ditan park, Dongcheng district. 6425 5166. (Insert Chinese address here)
2 Kolegas
Listen to live jams while lounging with friends in this reasonably priced venue. 9pm-late. 21 Liangmaqiao Lu (north of Chaoyang Park). (Insert Chinese address here)
Logos
Live music happens on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Logos, daily 2pm-2am, Super Bar Street, Nuren Jie, Liangmahe Lu, Chaoyang District. 8448-0880. ,
Clubbing
Cargo
Considered by many to be a cut above the rest this place regularly plays host to top notch acts. 6 Gongti Xi Lu (in between Babyface and Angel), Chaoyang district (6551 6878). Open 8pm-4am daily. (Insert Chinese address here)
China Doll
A hip new home for Beijing's playthings with a charge for the avantegarde. Daily 6pm (lounge) and 10pm (second floor) "until the last person leaves." 2/F, Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District. 6417-4699.
Banana
Another one of the big clubs, which is packed with locals and has a mammoth sound system. Weekdays 8:30pm-4:30am; weekends 8:30pm-5am. Scitech Hotel, 22 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 6528-3636.
Babyface
A popular nightclub surrounded by a pack of others. Foreigners enjoy this club. Lots of money flying about in this cavernous venue. Daily 8pm-4am. 6 Gongti Xilu (next to the Gongti 100 Bowling Lanes), Chaoyang District. 6551-9081.
Mix
Big, brash night club with foreign DJs and a hip-hop crowd. Daily 8pm-late. Inside Workers' Stadium north gate, Chaoyang District. 6530-2889.
Propaganda
The king of clubs in Wudaokou, Caters for a young international crowd in a large, tightly packed venue. Daily 8pm-4am. 100 metres north of the east gate of Huaqing Jiayuan, Wudaokou, Haidian District. 13691376777.
(China Daily 03/01/2007 page10)
