9 Hutong Bars to Wet Your Whistle at in Beijing
By Justine Lopez
It seems like for the past few Fridays we’ve been writing a lot about drinking. Perhaps we have a problem? Nah, Beijing just has a great bar culture. And, well, it’s Friday. This time around we’re highlighting some of the best hutong bars in Beijing.
1. 8-Bit
Game on, Beiluoguxiang: video game-themed bar 8-Bit comes with two bonus levels (a second floor and a rooftop), and the tastiest gold coins we’ve ever collected (Arrow Factory brews on tap).
Tues-Sun, 5pm-late; 13 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北锣鼓巷13号
2. Mao Mao Chong
The cocktails at Mao Mao Chong – which include a sublime ‘Mala’ Mule, a Sichuan peppercorn-infused vodka drink that’s a long way from Moscow – are unique infusions using local ingredients and know-how. Grungey without being grimey, Mao eschews flash while still keeping it real. And those pizzas.
Wed, Thu & Sun: 7pm-12am; Fri & Sat: 7pm-1am; 12 Banchang Hutong, Jiaodaokou 东城区交道口南大街板厂胡同12号 (6405 5718)
3. The Tiki Bungalow
It’s always island time at The Tiki Bungalow. Their expert bartenders mix up some killer cocktails by combining all manner of unlikely ingredients to create delicious, fruity and rum-infused treats. Make sure to try one of our favorites, the Jet Pilot (click here for the full recipe).
Daily, 6pm-late; 34 Jiaodaokou Bei Santiao, Dongcheng 东城区交道口三条34号
4. Capital Spirits
Four friends – including long-time China residents, former bar owners and an award-winning vodka distiller – opened Capital Spirits. It was born not only through a respect for baijiu culture, but also from a desire to create an authentic, foreigner-accessible Chinese drinking experience. There’s not a whiff of a cheap gimmick and the small hutong space is beautifully decorated. Chinese beers (and plenty of water) also available.
Tue-Sun 8pm-late; 3 Da Ju Hutong, Dongcheng 北京市东城区大菊胡同3号 (10 6409 3319)
5. Great Leap Brewing Original #6
The bar that began the whole Beijing microbrewing frenzy (yes, frenzy) specializes in idiosyncratic, local-style brews with intriguing flavors. The Honey Ma Gold is a Beijing classic.
Sun-Thu, 2pm-11pm; Fri-Sat, 2pm-midnight; 6 Doujiao Hutong 东城区豆角胡同6号 (5717 1399)
6. Más
If you’ve got a hankering for a taste of the tropics, Más’ rum-infused cocktails will do just the trick. Bartenders mix up mojitos, daiquiris, caipirinhas and lots more for around RMB40-60.
25 Beixinqiao TouTiao (Beixinqiao First Alley) 北新桥头条25号 (010-64054337)
7. Modernista
The hipsters love this little brasserie-themed absinthe bar. Regular live shows mean it can often get pretty crowded. That should piss off the hipsters, yet still they keep coming.
Tues-Sun, 12pm-2am; 44 Baochao Hutong, Dong Cheng District 东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同44号 (136 9142 5744)
8. 4Corners
It’s difficult to write objectively about somewhere like 4Corners – a place that has provided the setting for some of the greatest nights we’ve had in Beijing, or just about anywhere, for that matter. Known for its legendary after-hours gatherings, a night at 4Corners often has the look and feel of an out-of-control house party. Less a regular bar, more an alternative social club, it remains one of the few places in Beijing where everyone knows everyone else.
Tues-Sun, 12pm-late Closed on Mon; 27 Dashibei Hutong 北京市烟袋斜街北侧大石碑胡同27号 (6401-7797)
9. The Distillery
Nestled in a quiet hutong and decorated elegantly, The Distillery epitomizes craft. Everything is dripping with the piney, bearded essence of that word, from the beautiful hardwood surfaces, to the old-timey framed artwork and the shelves upon shelves of fine liquors.
Mon-Sat, 8pm-late; 20 Xinsi Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区辛寺胡同20号
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