Top 10 Bars in Beijing For A First Date

Choosing a great first date location can be tricky - you want to find the right place where you can enjoy drinks and great conversation, and also hopefully impress that special someone enough to get a second date. So where do you go?

We asked China Daters to vote on their favorite first date locations in Beijing, and the results are in!

Here are the Top 10 Bars in Beijing for a 1st Date according to Beijing daters.

1. El Barrio

Our Beijing daters voted El Barrio as the top first date bar in Beijing, and it’s easy to see why! You can enjoy drinks on one of the two outdoor terraces, or if it’s too chilly choose to stay inside and enjoy the low light ambiance. It’s romantic and fun without being too over-the-top for a first date. They also serve excellent Mexican food if you want to turn cocktails into a dinner date.

2. Café Zarah

Café Zarah is a café, restaurant, and art gallery in the center of Beijing offering wine, cocktails, coffee, and other drinks. Zarah is located in a beautiful old Beijing style courtyard house and has a lovely outdoor rooftop that you can sit on during warm Beijing evenings.

3. Jing-A Brewing

As one of Beijing’s most popular breweries, Jing A is the the perfect place for beers, brisket, and banter.

4. The Local

The Local is aptly named because for many Beijing expats, it is the local pub to meet with friends. The Local has a traditional pub feel, with both bar and table seating to fit whatever date vibe you’re looking for. There’s a pool table upstairs if you want to have a friendly (or flirty) competition, and there's a few tables outside if you want to enjoy the nice evening weather.

5. Q Mex Bar & Grill

Beijing’s popular Mexican eatery is a fun place for a drink in Sanlitun. Most people come to Q Mex for the food, but you can also enjoy beers and cocktails inside or outdoors on their small front patio. To take your date to the next level of excitement, you can go to one of their comedy nights, live band performances, or compete in a trivia night.

6. 4Corners

Located in the Gulou hutong area, 4Corners is a fun hutong hangout surrounded by twinkling lights and filled with plenty of beers, board games, cocktails, and southeast Asian fusion food. It’s also right next to Houhai lake if you’re looking for a post-date evening stroll in the moonlight.

7. The Great Outdoors

Nestled into the Fangjia Hutong, The Great Outdoors (or more commonly referred to as TGO by Beijing locals) is an excellent first date spot. It has comfy seating on the second floor, a variety of beers on tap, and lots of board games… but avoid Monopoly for a first date because you don’t want to be arguing over money just yet!

8. Modernista

At first glance, Modernista just feels like a small intimate hutong bar. Upon venturing further inside though, you’ll discover a large bar area looking over a stage and dance floor, giving it the perfect speak-easy vibe. Modernista always has a diverse rotation of live bands and cultural events, and offers a variety of cocktails and drinks.

9. Mai Bar

Located in a cozy hutong courtyard, Mai Bar is dedicated to making the best cocktails in Gulou - it's also super intimate and perfect for a cheeky make-out session in a dimly-lit room.

10. Great Leap Brewing

Great Leap Brewing is another one of Beijing’s most popular brewing companies, offering more than 30 beers brewed locally in Beijing. There are several locations to drink at depending on the location and atmosphere you're looking for, like Great Leap #6 (for a hutong vibe), Great Leap #12 (to stay close to Sanlitun) or Great Leap #45 (for a delicious dishes and drinks near the embassy areas).

Special Mention: Wudaoying Hutong

This trendy hutong street by Lama Temple has many bar and café options! From popular places like Pebbles Mexican restaurant and Serena Wine Bar, to the lesser known Regain Element and other hidden Chinese bars, you're sure to find a wonderful date location when walking down this alley.

More First Date Bars in Beijing

Our survey had several other locations that were so close to making the Top 10 List. Other highly rated bars include Nina, Slowboat Brew Pub, Migas Mercado, El Nido, Tiki Bungalow, and Beersmith Gastropub.

Whether you’re looking for a casual brewery, cozy hutong bar, or a live music scene, there’s a wide selection of bars in Beijing that are perfect for whatever first date vibe you want. 

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