SPLASHING OUT
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. 九霄云外, 海淀区紫竹院路29号, 香格里拉饭店内
Centro
Award-winning Centro has a certain 'je ne cest quoi' that draws the society's movers and shakers. Added to this is the line-up of dynamic performers, from barmen to live musicians, wicked cocktail offerings, fine wines, champagne and two happy hours. 6561-8833 Ext 42. 朝阳区光华路嘉里中心一层
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. 朝阳区工体南路
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. 苏茜黄，朝阳区农展馆路甲一号朝阳公园西门
Rickshaw
Rickshaw' complete menus are available at their masterminds' latest installation, with the addition of site-specific servings, including breakfast. The downstairs is a utilitarian arrangement of wooden tables and orange couches, while the upstairs is the same plus a bar, open balcony and four plasma TVs.10am-late. Nansanlitun Lu (near Browns and the alleyway to The Bookworm), Chaoyang District. 6500-4330. 朝阳区南三里屯路
Guangfu Forcing House
It is a 600-year-old Taoist sanctuary turned into a terrific temple of tipple. Upon entering this establishment, visitors pass through a large arched entryway painted with murals of women in flowing dresses scattering flower petals and toting zithers. Traditional-styled screens, and Buddhist sculptures, Cubist paintings and potted plants line the walls of these dimly lit rooms.Daily, 5pm-late. 36 Yandai Xiejie, Houhai, Xicheng District. 131-2182-5633. 西城区烟袋斜街36号.
Liana
Liana is conspicuous among the surrounding unassuming structures. It place has a contemporary feel cinched by the fact that its black plastic tables are inset with touch-screen videogame systems. Spiral staircase, rooftop terrace, hanging red lanterns and string lights add to the imposing profile of the bell tower. 34 Yandaixiejie, Houhai, Xicheng District. Michael at 136-2121-1978. 西城区后海烟袋斜街34号
SIT AND CHAT
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. 床吧, 西城区旧鼓楼大街张旺胡同17号
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. 过客, 东城区南锣鼓巷108号
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. 朝阳公园西门
Stone Boat Bar
Overlooks the manicured park gardens and the lake. Inside, the roof, crossbeams and windowsills are elegantly painted in traditional Chinese style. Daily 10am-late. Lakeside, southeast corner of Ritan Park, Chaoyang District. 6501-9986. 石舫，日坛公园东南角
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. 金鱼私房吧, 东城区后海荷花市场5号
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. 工体西路(工人体育场对面)
Rain Bar
The bar is sliced into three styles: the dark wood furniture marks the drawing room, the light green sofas and drapes make up a modern lounge, and tested route to comfort - soft red armchairs next to a heater that hums unobtrusively. Daily 2pm-late, 4 Xihai Xiyan, off Xiaotongjing Hutong, Jishuitan subway, south down Xinjiekou Beidajie, Xicheng District. 6617-3231. 西城区新街口北大街
SPORTS BARS
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. 海淀区语言学院内.
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.
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. 敦煌, 朝阳区工体东路4号, 城市宾馆主门旁边
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. 朝阳区将台路, 珀丽酒店西
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. 石榴园餐厅酒吧, 顺义后沙裕西
Red Football Club & Bar
It's a simple idea: take one free-standing bar, add a couple of Astroturf five-a-side pitches, put some shower facilities on the side, and sprinkle generously with tables. Pitches available daily 7am ?11pm. Gongti Beilu (in car park between Bus Bar and Yugong Yi Shan). 6413-2848. info@redball.com.cn. 工体北路
5:19 Bar
The 5:19 Bar claims to serve Beijing's best value-for-money Bloody Mary. It may also hold a title in the stakes of the city's friendliest watering hole. It has the lived-in feel of a local pub where all the patrons know one another. On the walls is paraphernalia relating to the various sporting associations for which 5:19 serves as base. All three chapters of Beijing's Hash House Harriers meet here while it also hosts two expat dart teams. 8448-0896. 26 Xingba Lu, Nuren Jie, Chaoyang District, next to PiliPili. 朝阳区女人街星吧路26号
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
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. 工体北路4号
Cargo
A packed dance floor and ultramodern decor put Cargo light years ahead of the other mega-clubs lining the Gongti Xilu strip. Daily 8pm-late.6 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 6551-6898. 朝阳区工体西路6号
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. 朝阳区工体西路6号(工体100保龄球旁边)
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. 朝阳区工体北门内
Vics
A young, mostly expat crowd getting it down to the wee hours to a mix of hip-hop, funk, soul and reggae. Daily 8:30pm-late. Inside Workers' Stadium north gate, Chaoyang District. 6593-6215. 威克斯, 朝阳区工体北门内
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. 开, 朝阳区三里屯北街(从友谊青年酒店拐弯)
Live music
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. 海淀区成府路13号
Star Live
Features big name international bands and top local talent. South Gate of Ditan Park, Dongcheng district. 6425 5166. 星光现场，地坛公园南门
2 Kolegas
Listen to live jams while lounging with friends in this reasonably priced venue. 9pm-late. 21 Liangmaqiao Lu (north of Chaoyang Park). 亮马桥路21号，朝阳公园北
Chic
Decorated with omnipresent neon, bountiful box-lights and a VIP balcony, the bar's main claim to fame comes from its fantastic bashes, such as its infamous 007 Parties. And even on non-party nights, professional dancers don crazy costumes to excite throngs by shaking what's in their thongs. Daily, 8pm-late. Jiahui International Center, 14 Jiqingli, Chaoyang District. 6552-7519. 喜客音乐酒吧朝阳区吉庆里14号佳汇国际中心
Jiangjinjiu
As one expat patron put it, "It's the place where the musicians, artists and all of the quirky people of Beijing hang out". Across from the table from her, local folk rockers bobbed their heads while listlessly thumping hand drums and lackadaisically strumming acoustic guitars. The place has become known for ethnic minority and rock music acts starting at 9:30pm Friday through Sunday. 2 Zhongku Hutong, (just doors south of The Drum and Bell in the plaza of the drum and bell towers), Dongcheng District. 8405-0124. 东城区钟库胡同2号, 鼓楼北门
Club Obiwan
The zig-zag stairwell and the rooftop terrace add to the enjoyment of cocktails, Western entrees and imported German beer. Live Capoeira music and performances, free Samba lessons, electronic DJs and theme parties have repeatedly shown up on the monthly schedule.1pm-2am (weekends 1pm-till late). 4 Xihai Xiyan, Xicheng District, 300m from Jishuitan subway station. 6617-3231.
西城区西海西沿4号, 离积水潭地铁站300米
Exotic flavor
Sangria Club
Spanning two floors beneath Elisa's Italian Restaurant, this new nightspot shimmers with the style of southern Spain. Here, dark-wood furniture and plenty of plants create more-or-less Moorish environs. Boozers can belly up to the bar and perch on square-shaped wooden stools, grab seats on the pillow-lined wooden benches or stretch out on the establishment's traditional kang beds. 5867-0248.
29 Zaoying Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区枣营路29号
Salud
The festive food and drink menu, relaxed ambiance, and international patrons of Salud set it apart from all the rest. Touches of Mediterranean coastline add to the Southern European atmosphere of the cafe A range of live music acts have been booked for performance at Salud on Wednesday nights throughout the summer. 9am-2am. 66 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District. 6402-5086.
老伍酒吧,东城区南锣鼓巷66号
Shuiguiqi
The antiquated establishment houses a unique fountain, a bamboo spout and an old tree, which shades the courtyard during the day. Across the yard, vines twine interlacing tendrils around a rough-hewn atrium. The establishment serves manically minty mojitos and particularly piquant daiquiris. 183 Jiugulou Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6403-4723. 水归器酒吧, 旧鼓楼大街183号
Xin (Heart) Bar
This smallish space is packed with Yunnan-style decorations and musical instruments such as zheng, guitars and hand drums. Exotic collection of ethnic minority wood-carved masks and banners, tie-dyed tablecloths, colorful silk cushions, they all conjure nostalgia atmosphere. 152 Jiugulou Dajie, Xicheng District. 6400-7571. 西城区旧鼓楼大街152号
Obelisco Cafe
There could be no better place in Beijing for Argentinian expats to reminisce about their homeland. The elegant eatery serves traditional Argentine fare served with homemade bread and fine wines from the cellar with storage for 40,000 bottles. The spacious and modern interior, the moody lighting and the the glass-doored kitchen all present intimate and romantic atmosphere. 1 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District. 8470-3968. 朝阳区亮马桥东路1号
(China Daily 12/05/2007 page10)
