First Glance: Lark Brewpub, Beixinqiao

If you live around the greater Beixinqiao area, then you have most likely encountered Lark Brewpub. The small hole in the wall, formally on Beixinqiao Toutiao, that was demolished over a year ago, along with “Bvarious Dumplings” to make way for that chic new creative space Aotu. Before Lark was Lark it was actually Panda, but they experienced a schism or something when Lark boss Yun Que didn’t feel like going in the direction of bottling like the Panda folks.

After re-opening shortly in the storefront that was occupied by Pengyou Izakaya Japanese restaurant, they quickly shut down again to renovate their new space into a bar/café hybrid. The redesign has a northwestern, Native American vibe mixed with 40s and 50s wartime and pop culture memorabilia. So any second general Patton or Chief Seattle could hobble out the back and squeeze you a beer or pour you a cup of joe. It’s actually the perfect location for a coffee house, because it sits right outside Beixinqiao exit D. There are a couple other coffee options in the area but none that are very great and closer than 15ft to the exit, which Lark just so happens to be.

Immediately upon walking in, there was a group of young ladies getting an early evening buzz on. By buzz, we mean they could barely walk out. So we can safely say that the beer works. At the time we visited, only three out of their seven beers were available, and they were all lager. We tried the dark lager (RMB 30), which was more than satisfactory. The staff assured us that the other flavors would be ready soon, along with food options and who knows what else as they settle into these new digs.

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Email: danielkippwhittaker@thebeijinger.com

Photos: Kipp Whittaker