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Brown’s Pub
Not only Brown’s Pub won the title of Best New Bar in 2006, they also got the title of Bar of the Year in Beijing the first year this establishment opened their doors. With a wide range of draft beers and an endless selection… more

The Tree
The Tree has been a popular hang-out for decades now and not without a reason. This “tavern” style bar serves a wide selection of Belgium Beers (Hoegaarden, Palm, etc.) and nice snacks like thin-crust pizza… more

Charlie’s Bar
An old-timer in the august Jianguo Hotel, Charlie’s enjoys fond patronage from embassy staff and a regular complement of long-term expats. Enjoying the yesteryear feel, middle-aged drinkers sit down for nights of spirits… more

John Bull Pub
Serving legions of Brit expats in the embassy district, this English-style pub has particularly tasty steak-and-kidney pie and other pub grub, plus a snug weeknight atmosphere (often as quiet as a library), comfy furniture… more

Palace View
For liquid refreshment with a top-notch panorama, the Palace View is in a league of its own. Bar winter, outdoor tables graced bu a string of palm trees make this a wonderful place to escape the city and size up the view… more

PJ O’Reilly’s
Far from the madding crowd, Irish pub PJ O’Reilly’s is a quiet and neglected tavern on the corner of the Henderson Center, north of Beijing Train Station. It’s nothing special and the Guinness might rapidly empty your… more

Sports City Café
This is a sprawing American sports bar, just off Jianguomen Nandajie, which airs live matches on a vast TV screen amid a constellation of smaller sets. A live band cranks out cover hits every night except Mondays. Perhaps… more

Buddha Bar
Its name in Chinese is a clever play on the word ‘not big’ or ‘small’. This tiny and reclusive bar is excellent for those on the run from Beijing’s noisy, sprawling and brash… more

Houhai Café & Bar
This low-key, beautifully decorated café and bar has large rattan chairs from which you can enjoy a vista of cyclists, vendors, and sightseers and locals ambling alongside Houhai Lake. It serves teas, coffees, beers and… more

Left Bank
Situated west of Qianhai Lake, the analogy with the Parisian Rive Gauche might be far-fetched, but an unruffled, lazy equilibrium hangs over the place. Bring along a good book and join guests lounging in wicker furniture… more

Goose & Duck Pub
This is a sprawling Brit bar that comforts expats pining for Blighty with bangers and mash, table football, darts, sports TV and pool. It has live music and a basement, and is opposite the west gate of Chaoyang Park. The Goose… more

Half & Half
Perhaps Beijing’s most famous and long-standing gay and lesbian bar, Half & Half lies in an alley east of the Sanlitun Yashou Clothing Market. This bar, with a dark and low-key interior, is secretively tucked away, without… more

Hart Salon
This appealing bar on Sanlitun Nanlu appears small and uneventful downstairs, but things get better on the 2nd floor. Beijing’s creative intelligentsia descends on the bar for discussions and forums on film, dance… more

Jazz-Ya
This veteran (established circa 1995) bar is in many an expat’s address book. It’s a nifty Japanese-style bar and restaurant hidden down a small alley across the way from the China Industrial and Commercial… more

On/Off Bar
A quiet and seductive outfit well managed by a squad of helpful staff, On/Off caters to both gay and… more

NEO Lounge
This swish and stylish bar, not too far east of the On/Off Bar and hidden behind smoked windows, is one of town’s more sophisticated options for those trying to score image points. Irregular live jazz, in-house DJs… more

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