Beijng Night Life

This is a short guide to some very cool areas in Beijing. Because there is so much to say we won't get too specific. For example, the guide does not mention the “lounge” bar on the 60’th something floor of the Hyatt Hotel, which you will want to check out, though it is a bit pricey. Or any of the 50ty-100ish something clubs spread out across the city. From the Russian “Chocolate” Vodka club to the couple-of-thousand-capacity “Mix”, or the classic “China Doll”.

Instead, this short guide focuses on the three main areas in which most of this is located.

Houhai

Have you ever seen spirited away?

This is it.

The name Houhai refers to a lake around which over 200 bars and restaurants have been built. In the summer the lanterns and lights gives the impression you have been transported into a surreal Mayazaki film. Almost every single bar has a Chinese live band and you can find covers ranging from cheesy Asian pop, to power ballads, Oasis and Springsteen.

Sip Mohitos in the summer night in this cacophony of different impression. Either while relaxing with a Shisha pipe on a Moroccan style pillow land, or while taking refuge in a small cozy bar with three tables, or maybe you would rather hang out on a rooftop with the perfect vantage point to see people moving on the narrow streets and on the lake below...

Because, of course, being China, you can rent your own boat here and sip your Mohito on the lake instead. If you are in romantic mood you can get a two people cruise or if you fancy taking the party to the lake in a group, they have 12 people deals where you get a sizable boat, complete with three staff: 1 captain and 2 musicians for around 50 RMB per head.

Don't miss Houhai!

The Sanlitun Bar Area

though reduced in size, has survived the major transformations of the area in recent years.

The most important element of the remaining parts of this epicenter of foreign drinking/party/dancing activity is "cheap street" which offers as the name entails: very affordable drinks.

Mixed with outdoor BBQ's, every square centimeter of the houses surrounding the street is crammed full of bars, clubs and on a Saturday night, the party prone people of Beijing.

In recent years, with the construction of the shopping paradise "The Village", liked by some, detested by others, a range of more "classy" places are sprouting up around the area, but the real authentic cheap street feel that so many people still love is still definitely there as a nice complement and contrast to recent addition of upscale clubs and shops.

Wudaokou

Wudaokou is the perfect international mixer, with Chinese and international students alike from over thirty different nationalities.

In the midst of all this, there is one small club by the name of Propaganda (if you have previously lived in Beijing, hearing this name would probably make you chuckle, and most likely bring back some interesting memories).

Every city has it's particular, infamous, place, where people go to mingle and jingle. Though it is not a particularly nice place, if you’re out in Wudaokou, you will probably end up there. It is the magnetic pole of student life and if sufficiently inebriated (due to the good drinks deals that the area offers) you are likely to love it, though you are unlikely to be able to specify exactly why on the next day.

The Summer Parties

Like the “Great Wall Beach Party,” which is a massive summer festival/party which takes place where The Great Wall hits the sea, is not the kind of events that young foreigners are prepared to miss while in Beijing.

To this list one should without a doubt also add the “Great Aircraft Carrier Party” (pictured), which, yes, takes place on/by a decommissioned Russian Aircraft Carrier (you know the big ships that has aircraft on them?). “This is simply something so outlandishly mind-blowing,”, as stated by one of last year’s party goers, “that no person should be allowed to miss it”.