The only thing we can really fault about Scandal is its name. Rather than sounding enticing or illicit, the word more brings to mind a seedy joint frequented by a hostel bar crawl. Stepping past the black velvet curtain bedecked by a neon pink ‘Scandal’ sign, however, it becomes immediately apparent that you have never been a greasy, sweaty, broke teenager, and in fact have existed in effortlessly graceful linen tailoring since the dawn of time.
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The best new Beijing bars and clubs of 2018
From swanky cocktail lounges to cosy hole-in-the-walls, here are the most exciting openings of 2018
Oh, what a year. Thankfully, a new crop of top-notch cocktail bars and clubs joined Beijing's nightlife scene this year, helping us drink and dance our way through the last 12 months. From hutong haunts to Gongti giants, we did not suffer from a lack of new places to spend our nights. We've also seen a few bars close then reappear in new digs – El Nido and Botany spring to mind – but if you're after something brand new, these 12 picks should have you covered.
Scandal
Charming atmosphere and interiors aside, the drinks here are also excellent. Each is named simply for its dominant flavour; all are 90RMB, which is a little steep, but borne out by the quality of drinks and service on offer. Scandal is hardly your casual local joint, but for cocktails that feel special and are actually worth the price tag, it’s one of our new Sanlitun favourites.
Little Creatures
Aussie brewers Little Creatures call themselves ‘certified hopheads’,
and have been brewing ales of the palest kind for over a decade. The
Beijing branch has a refreshingly limited menu of brews, with eight ales
and one cider all coming in at a now-reasonable 50RMB a pint. Food's
also a reliable option here, with the brewers playing around with a
distinctly British-Aussie menu, offering up classics such as fish and
chips, bangers and mash, as well as the recently introduced Aussie
favourite, jaffles.
Herbal
Designed by Glenn Schuitman, founder and creative director of late lamented Sanlitun fixture Pop-Up Beijing, Herbal was conceptualised by 18-year Beijing bar stalwart Ah Jian, TCM doctor Zhai Xu and Schuitman. Specialising in Chinese Traditional Medicine-based cocktails, these boozy, complex tonics are just what the doctor ordered.
Schuitman's had a very busy last 12 months, and special mention must also be made to specialist whisky bar and new LGBT hangout Straight Spirit, which he also helped co-found. With its idiosyncratic driftwood décor and dapper, knowledgeable staff, this Central Park watering hole has crammed a tiny space with a heady mix of class and sass, becoming an almost overnight institution for the capital's growing legion of whisky lovers.
Terrazza Martini
Formerly the home of Migas, Nali Patio's sprawling rooftop space is now occupied by Terrazza Martini, Bacardi's first flagship lounge in China. Still as popular a location as ever, Sanlitun revellers have regularly flocked to this spot on Friday and Saturday nights for live music, boozy bevs and general debauchery. Drinks here are strong – veering towards dishwasher cleaner-strong – but frankly, you're not here for subtlety or a low-key night out.
Pickering's Seafood and Gin Bar
With Beijingers seemingly thirstier than ever for top-level mixology, enterprising Edinburgh gin distillers Pickering's set up shop in Nali Patio this year, in the process claiming the title of Beijing's first dedicated gin bar. In full celebration of Scottish provenance, this second-floor sanctum offers an extensive fresh seafood list with imported salmon, lobster and more, luring in a reliable lunch and dinnertime crowd. Gin, however, is the real name of the game here. Try one of their botanical-infused gin and tonics prepared in-house, or choose a cocktail from their unexpectedly offbeat custom menu.
Inception
Owned by the same cocktail progenitor behind Hidden House, Miles, Ming Bar and Revolution, 2018's newest speakeasy on the Xingfucun block boasts a similar aesthetic to each of these prequels, just on a considerably swankier, larger scale. With its wood-panelled walls, leather upholstery and Sistine Chapel-esque frescoes, Inception is undeniably beautiful, and also offers up a solid drinks list to match. Cocktails sit at roughly the 80RMB mark, with a classic menu offering a range of the usual suspects, including negronis, Old Fashioneds and martinis. For tipples that are a little less run-of-the-mill, the custom cocktail list is infused with exotic flourishes and enigmatic drink titles such as 'Dream as a horse' and 'The mystery of everything'.
Boxing Cat Brewery
Brewing beers for over ten years – 'Since 2008, we’ve won 40 international awards and counting', boasts a wall mural – Shanghai heavyweights Boxing Cat offers an impressively diverse selection of IPAs, ales, stouts and more, all priced at flat rates (from 15RMB samplers to 50RMB pints). However in a slightly unexpected twist, it's the Xinyuanli brewpub's Anglo-Southeast Asian menu that's also helped garner it plenty of buzz, making Boxing Cat that rare third option that satisfies both serious drinkers and teetotallers alike.
Arch
Tucked away in the not-notable carpark of the more notable former residence of Republic of China-era warlord Duan Qirui, Arch is about as close to a hidden gem as it gets. Owner and bartender Alfred Yu demonstrates an unerring ability to mix and match complex flavours, resulting in drinks that are casually exceptional and all too quaffable. For the cocktail averse, an extensive wine and whiskey list is also available, but with cocktails this special, it almost seems unnecessary.
50/50
Despite its no-frills interior and overall laidback atmosphere, this casual cocktail den takes a serious approach to booze, striking a balance between boundary-pushing mixology and neighbourhood hangout.
50/50
takes inspiration from the concept of yin and yang, we’re told, and
there’s certainly a noticeable duality between its sparse décor and
punchy menu. You won’t find Old Fashioneds or martinis gracing the lips
of anyone here, but you will find plenty of other well-travelled modern
classics, such as the Hanky Panky, Penicillin and Tom Collins.
Unfamiliar with these less conventional counterparts? That’s no problem –
50/50’s menu is laid out by type, angling itself towards both casual
cocktail sippers and connoisseurs.
Aurora
Headed up by veteran Beijing DJ Pancake Lee, Aurora sprung up in early 2018 in the area formerly known as Dirty Bar Street, and has since gone on to become the shiny nightlife face of this new, soaped-up era of Sanlitun. And it's fair to say it's been going pretty well so far. Aurora's size means that partygoers can experience an intimate clubbing experience, with queues regularly forming outside at weekends. Wednesday is old-school hip-hop night, Thursday is funk night, and weekends see touring DJs descend with a deep house, techno and disco bent.
Zhao Dai
The brainchild of former management at Yugong Yishan and the long-deceased White Rabbit club, Zhao Dai brings the club scene north of Sanlitun and up to Xinyuanli. With previous headliners including the likes of Frits Wentink (pictured), Galcher Lustwerk and Mykki Blanco, Zhao Dai separates itself from the city's Gongti giants with its eclectic, wide-ranging programming. Bringing a bit of Berghain to Beijing, photography is strictly forbidden within Zhao Dai – as it should be. Get off your phones, people. It's about the beats here.
Playhouse
True to its name, the latest addition to the glitz of Gongti offers partygoers a plethora of games, art and collectibles alongside its massive dose of hip-hop. Standout headliners from the past year have included Kendrick Lamar collaborator Knxwledge, alongside Beat Junkies turntable lord J Rocc, plus DJ Wordy and trap up-and-comer Rico Nasty. Jaden Smith (as in Will Smith’s son) even turned up in October. Playhouse is working hard to replace Mix as the go-to hip-hop club in Beijing, and with so much going into it, we can't help but think they'll succeed.
For more places to grab a drink in Beijing, hit 'Read more'.
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