With trendy new cocktail joints seeming to sprout up in Sanlitun every weekend, if not every other day, how is Good Bait supposed to leave its mark? Well, for starters, the Sanlitun south establishment has a much more upscale ambiance than other recent newbies like Press Release, Toy Box and even the posh Atlas.
Instead, Good Bait has a suavely dark interior speckled with curvy bulbs and brick walls, giving it an overall minimalist, uber-modern vibe. Its fanciness is furthered by an elegant grand piano sat on a small stage smack in the middle of its first floor, leaving us eager to hear the "rhythm served straight up" that's promised in its branding's tagline.
Good Bait's bartenders deftly mix signature cocktails like the Amaromance, which we tried during their March 22 opening. Priced at a slightly steep RMB 110 (compared to more affordable spots like the aforementioned Press Release or other Sanlitun cocktail havens like Revolution; though on par with swanky joints like the Black Moth), the Amaromance features a tangy and oh-so-slightly sweet mix of lemon, pineapple juice, Amaro Montenegro, and rye whiskey that was quite satisfying.
Another highlight is the RMB 120 Good Bait cocktail, made with a splash of champagne, grapefruit bitters, Aperol, and Lillet Blanc. Then there's the Moonlight, also RMB 120 and featuring Tanqueray Gin, Amontillado Sherry, and St. German elderflower and peach liqueurs. Meanwhile the more reasonably priced RMB 90 My Bitter Valentine, comprised of Fernet-Branca bitter herbal liqueur, Averna Blanc Vermouth and orange zest, is also a tempting concoction.
The bar's sleek ambiance and creative, elaborate cocktails make for an ideal spot to impress your friends. Thrifty Beijingers will opt for more low key spots that serve cheaper cocktails. But those of us with a taste for the finer things are likely to take this new bar's bait, hook, line, and sinker.
Good Bait
Daily 6pm-late. 6 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯南路6号
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Email: kylemullin@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
Photos: Kyle Mullin, Good Bait's Facebook
Good Bait will shut down on Jan 31, 2019. Founder Travis Yuan announced via WeChat over the weekend that he received a government notice saying they are “no longer allowed to use the existing venue for business operations, and we are ordered to move out before the Spring Festival.”
He added: “January 30 will be the last day of Good Bait. If you have time to say goodbye, we still welcome everyone at the old place.”
Read the announcement in full here.
