Beijing’s Teenage Social Territory Adults Should Never Trespass

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Public embarrassment is inevitable in Beijing – the world can be quite small sometimes, even in a big city. How awkward is it for teachers and students to accidentally meet eyes at a cocktail bar?

If you want to shun situations like this, read on for some open secrets about who goes where in Beijing, from restaurants, amusement parts, to pubs. Let’s just try to avoid the awkward moments all together.

Universal Studios

The one and only Universal Studio in China attracts all sorts of people, especially young couples. We love the Universal globe, the butter bear stand, and the Three Broomsticks. Yet most are gone from these places after scorching noon. I would argue that 2-10pm are the golden hours for adults. Before then, leave it to the youngsters.

Find it:
通州区环球大道与颐瑞东路交叉口西北角
Universal Avenue and YiRui East Lu, Tongzhong District

Chaoyang Park

The Chaoyang Park is large and maze-like, consisting of both roller coasters and picnic grounds, the largest one being “万人广场”. This is where many teenagers spend the weekend. You might see them tipping out gossip with champagne or laughing intimately to a joke in the grass. However, 万人广场 has many lush, green valleys for those who enjoy quietude, and many other picnic grounds are also nearby.

Find it:
北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路1号
Chaoyang Park South Road No. 1, Chaoyang District
Tel: [phone]

Moka Bros

There is no other restaurant that teenagers love more than Moka Bros, especially locations in malls such as Solana or The Place. The menu is trendy yet healthy, the walls are lit with lovely, lulling lights, and the price to quality ratio is ideal. High school students, couples, or friends dive in and out of the glass doors. If you are an adult and have no interest of bumping into students, perhaps the Sanlitun or Xidan Joy City locations will work wonders.

Find it:
呼家楼街道光华路9号天街大厦一层
HuJiaLou street GuangHua raod No. 9 TianJia Building floor 1

麦子店街道朝阳公园6号院蓝色港湾湖畔美食街南街A135号商铺
Maizi street Chaoyang park No. 6 garden HuPanMeiShi South street A135

Baker and Spice

Similar to Moka Bros and practically identical to Wagas. Many international students lunch quickly at Baker and Spice, which can be found in any commercial center. However, the environment is much friendlier to adults because soft jazz and indie pop music obscure any curious conversation. Many elders also sit in a corner with coffee, a Berliner, and books. All are in one, yet one is in none.

Find it:
Multiple locations around the city.

Playhouse Bar

High school students shun the Heaven Supermarket, but they do feverishly embrace a neon pub called Playhouse. It is a rather safe space for teenage clubbing in Sanlitun, furnished with disco temperaments and throbbing with high melodies. The afterparty is friendly towards teachers and parents, but it is wiser to party somewhere else.

Find it:
工体西路6号一层
GongTi West road No. 1 floor 1
Tel: [phone]

Assaggi

Assaggi is an Italian restaurant tucked away in the more modest streets of Sanlitun. The owner is from Venice and greets his guests with Venetian hospitality. The wicker settees are tasteful, if a little bare. The balcony is a luncheon space, decked out with seasonal flowers and trees. The greatest magic of Assaggi is that both adults and teenagers feel at home here. If you must avoid people who take panoramas of food or pose affectedly with food, skip brunch, drift in with the afternoon wind, or sweep inside with a dinner plan.

Are there any places teachers and parents territory that teenagers should not touch? Let us know in the comments below.

Find it:
三里屯北小街一号（德使馆东北角）
SanLiTun Small North street No. 1

Images: Dianping

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