BARS and CLUBS The most popular areas are Sanlitun, Hou Hai, Wu Dao Kou and Choayang Park.
Sanlitun is by far the most famous and any taxi driver in the city will know how to get you there. Aside from South Bar Street, go behind the Sanlitun market to find Poachers and Kai bar off North Bar Street. Clubs Mix and Vics are in the Workers Stadium, also in this area.
Hou Hai is famous for the hutong that surround the lake. The hutong facing onto the lake have been made into bars whilst the ones behind the lake are still inhabited and offer a sneak view into traditional Chinese living. It is a vibrant and colourful experience any time of the day or night. Check out No Name Bar and Hutong Pizza.
Wu Dao Kou is in the Haidian district and not far from HQ. It is home to many universities so there is a large foreign community. Expect to meet many North Americans and Europeans here. Try Lush on Thursday or Sunday nights and Blah Blah Bar any night of the week (can be quite difficult to find, it’s in Beijing Language and Culture University). Also check out Propaganda (club) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Look out for PSB events advertised in the WU area.
Chaoyang Park is not far from Sanlitun so it’s possible to travel between the two. The World of Suzie Wong’s is the best bar in this area and is busy most night’s of the week. The Goose and Duck is styled on a British pub. *Get a copy of That’s Beijing or City Weekend and check out the following bars, as recommended by SESB staff (2004) Moonhouse, Hidden Tree, Hou Hai Café, Cloud Nine, The Drum and Bell, John Bull Pub. Beers cost anything between RMB 5-25 for a beer, 25-50 for a cocktail and entrance into nightclub’s cost between 25-50 (week night’s are usually free).