For friendly drinks, there's no place like the corner bar

Pull up a seat, have a beer and let's talk. About proper neighborhood bars. And the lack of them in Beijing.

As China's so-called drinking culture continues to evolve, it's my hope the corner bar will find its rightful niche in the social network.

I'm not talking about the overstuffed clubs popular in every city, where blaring music and blinding lights make conversation impossibly difficult, and where the bartender doesn't know you from the proverbial Adam.