Day & Night Around Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4
Hidden behind a block of offices and other businesses just southeast of Sanlitun Taikooli, Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4 – 三里屯机电院 Sānlǐtún Jīdiànyuàn in Chinese – has had a bit of a renaissance over the past year. The addition of new, primarily F&B, venues has turned the area into the perfect place to begin your day in Sanlitun or, better yet, to get the beginning, middle, or end of your night going.
Here are some of our favorite spots to do just that, coupled with some food and drink recs.
DAO Coffee
The Courtyard No. 4 branch of this Beijing coffee chain blends into the area’s overall industrial and gritty aesthetics all too well. The concrete exterior extends to the interior, with simple wooden seats and tables on which to sit and converse, read, or work while you sip on a caffeinated beverage from DAO’s menu.
Along with classic coffees like the Americano (RMB 28) and Latte (RMB 35), DAO also offers plenty of pour-over choices (starting at RMB 48). For something a little more out of the ordinary, they also have a rotating list of specialty coffee drinks, as well as flavored sodas for non-coffee drinkers.
DAO Coffee (Courtyard No. 4 branch)
1/F, North of AisiNiuNiu, Bldg 78, Courtyard No. 4, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号院78号楼南侧首层阿斯牛牛北侧
Hours: Daily, 10am-6pm
Contact: 186 0096 6927; 183 9928 1111
Panorama
If you’re seeking coffee served alongside something more substantial, then Panorama is one spot to head to in Courtyard No. 4. Americanos, cappuccinos, and lattes are joined here by the French eatery’s specialty: crepes.
These range from the traditional – like the sweet Tatin (RMB 65), featuring apple flambéed in rum with caramel, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream; or the savory Old Classic (RMB 72), a folded crepe filled with ham, Emmental cheese, and an egg – to more adventurous options with bold flavors like the Italy-inspired Padrino (RMB 80), which comes with Serrano ham, bell peppers, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Panorama
Bldg 81, Sanlitun Jidianyuan, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District (next to French Chamber of Commerce)
朝阳区工人体育场北路三里屯机电院81号楼（中国法国工商会旁）
Hours: Sun-Thu, 10am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 10am-1am
Contact: 010 6506 1893
Berlin Bites Döner
Another option for savory with a side of coffee comes from Berlin Bites, who relocated from their original location near Liangmaqiao to Courtyard No. 4 last year. The small stand of a restaurant does German street food, with a particular focus on Berlin-style döner kebab – with chicken, beef (carved from a vertical spit), or veggie fillings – and currywurst.
Since moving, the menu expanded to include Dürüm Wraps (RMB 35-45) – made with thinner Lavash-style flatbread made with the same fillings as above plus a falafel option. Customers can enjoy the dürüm or döner paired with coffee as part of a lunchtime set with a choice of dürüm (starting at RMB 49/set) or döner (starting RMB 65/set).
Berlin Bites Döner
1/F, Bldg 78, 4 Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District (next to Martini)
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号78号楼1层
Hours: Sun-Thu, 11am-9.30pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-1am
Phone: 135 2183 7087
Home Plate BBQ
An OG of Courtyard No. 4 and Beijing’s dining scene, Home Plate has been the place to go for Texas barbecue in the city center for a long time now. Although they’re open around lunchtime, Home Plate marks the part of the list where things turn from day to night.
Start the evening with a beer, or perhaps a margarita, paired with one of Home Plate’s meat platters with all kinds of sides. The restaurant has also gotten a menu revamp as of last year, with additions like Char Siu Hong Kong Style Pork Ribs (RMB 198/400g + two sides), and wing flavors like Buffalo, Char Siu, Hot in Memphis, Hot Honey and Tangy Barbecue (RMB 78/for six, RMB 128/ for 12, RMB 188/for 18, RMB 258/for 24).
Home Plate BBQ (Sanlitun branch)
106, 1/F, Bldg 10, Courtyard No. 4, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路4号院10号楼1层106号
Hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
Contact: 400 096 7670
The Local
Another good spot to kick off a night in Sanlitun is bar and eatery The Local. We love this American-run spot for its expansive menu of mac’n’cheese varieties and their lesser-known menu of Tiki cocktails, most of which are strong sippers that stay true to the original recipes.
The Local also hosts a lot of great weekly activities and specials, including Trivia Night on Tuesdays – paired with a Taco Tuesday deal – Wings Wednesdays, karaoke nights and more.
The Local Cocktail Bar & Eatery
101, 1/F, Southeast Side of Bldg 80, Zone E, Courtyard No. 4, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区南三里屯路工体北路4号院80号楼E区东南侧1间101号1层
Hours: Daily, 11am-midnight
Contact: 010 6591 9525
La Platea
The final in a triad of spots for the beginning, middle, or end of the night is Mediterranean spot La Platea. The restaurant and bar is like a chill island, having transformed the space that housed DeRifter into a colorful spot with a patio out front where Beijing’s expat DJs put on shows every weekend.
On the food and drinks front, one standout is the Trapizzino (starts at RMB 45), a pizza sandwich hybrid that’s like a triangular pocket filled with parma ham, tomatoes, eggplant, chicken and other goodies. The restaurant has also got a long list of tapas, which can be enjoyed on discount with drink orders every Tuesday.
La Platea
Bldg 11, Courtyard No. 4, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号院11号楼
Hours: Sun-Thu, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11am-1am
Contact: 186 1037 6761
La Social
The Latin bar that once bathed patrons in red found a new home in Courtyard No. 4 last year after departing from its original location in Nali Patio. The space is still doused in red light, which covers the bar, dancefloor, and three floors aptly titled Hell (first floor), Purgatory (second floor), and Heaven (third floor).
Since reopening, they've unveiled regular themed nights and other fun events. These include their weekly Ladies Nights, aka La Fina, and Beijing Capital Tropical nights on Saturdays.
La Social SLT
1/F, Bldg 75, Courtyard No. 4, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号院75号楼1层
Hours: Daily, 5pm-2am
Contact: 150 0135 0562
Motel 106
This self-proclaimed retro music lounge and cocktail bar is hidden up a set of metal stairs over a hot pot restaurant. Well-thought-out drinks are joined by regular vinyl sets from local and visiting DJs, all beneath ambient lighting and a backbar filled with quality audio equipment and images as homage to the likes of rappers like MF Doom. Safe to say Motel 106 is one of the more laid back nightlife spots in the neighborhood, a must-visit for those looking for a low-key evening.
Motel 106
106, Bldg 70, Courtyard No. 4, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District (up the metal stairs next to Yilouyi Hot Pot)
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号院70号楼106号（一楼一火锅饭店旁边铁楼梯二层）
Hours: Tue-Sun, 7pm-3am
Contact: 186 1339 0463
Martini Bar
Not too far from La Social is former Nali Patio neighbor Martini. A second branch of Martini’s outdoor location near Dawanglu, the Courtyard No. 4 location leans more towards Martini as a nightclub. What’s more, seeing as it's right next to Berlin Bites, your drunk food cravings are pretty much covered. Plus, considering it's open until 5.30am, this is probably the best place to end a night well spent in Sanlitun.
JD78 Martini Bar
401, 4/F, Bldg 78, Courtyard No. 4, Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路4号院78号楼4层401号
Hours: Daily, 6pm-5.30am
Contact: 010 8891 9909
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Images: Uni You, The Local
