Bird's Nest Brews: The Moonlight Pier’s Craft Breweries
In recent years, the area around the Bird's Nest Stadium has gained some great craft beer bars. Many of them are located on the Moonlight Pier situated on the Yangshan River. With lots of outdoor seating and most of the bars being within walking distance of each other, it's a perfect spot to have yourself a bit of a mini pub crawl as you take in the stunning views of the Olympic Park and its iconic landmarks.
OVERTONE
First up, we have Scottish brewery OVERTONE, which opened up a second branch on the pier back in September of last year. Located on the north end of the pier, they've got ample outside seating along with an indoor area for the colder months. They've got 16 of their great craft brews on tap, with new seasonal brews being regularly added to the rotation. The newest beer to be added is the Beijing-themed Central Axis Hazy West Coast IPA (RMB 58), which mixes Sequoia, Mosaic, and Rakau hops to blend the juicy haze with the crisp character of a West Coast IPA.
Aside from beer, they've got a range of cocktails, wine and soft drinks as well as their usual array of great eats, including their banging burgers, which saw them nab the #13 spot in this year's Juicy Burger Cup. They've also got numerous classic bar bites like Fish and Chips (RMB 68), salads, pasta and more.
OVERTONE
6 Hujing Xilu, Chaoyang District (first shop on the north side of Moonlight Pier Beer Garden)
朝阳区湖景西路6号月色码头啤酒花园北侧第一家
Hours: 4.30pm-1.30am
Phone: 134 8883 7154
El Nido
Carrying on south from OVERTONE, the next beer bar you'll come across is El Nido, which also opened up a branch here last year. Their Bird's Nest branch boasts a large indoor space with two floors and plenty of outdoor seating along the pier where you can take in the breathtaking views.
They've got a rotating selection of 20+ beers on tap, as well as carefully concocted cocktails courtesy of Fang Bar, with whom El Nido partnered up once again for this branch. Foodwise, their menu mainly consists of a range of bar snacks with things like chicken wings, fried chicken and fries along with larger main meals and a few cheese and cold cut platters.
El Nido Bird’s Nest branch
Unit 3, Moonlight Pier, 6 Hujing Xilu, Aoyuncun Jiedao, Chaoyang District
朝阳区奥运村街道湖景西路6号月色码头三单元
Hours: Sun-Thu, 2pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 2pm-3am
Phone: 186 1136 0664
Peiping Machine
Going further south, you'll encounter Peiping Machine, which opened a branch on the pier back in 2022. Here they've got a large indoor space, outdoor seating along the pier and more outdoor seating on a roof deck. They've got 16+ beers on tap, and some recent new additions for summer are Stacked Clouds Doubly Hazy IPA, Yuzu Waves West Coast IPA and Breeze Hop Lager. Along with beer, they've got wine, cocktails and soft drinks as well as their usual array of delicious bites, such as their famous Beijing Roast Duck Jianbing (RMB 58).
Peiping Machine Bird's Nest branch
Moonlight Pier, 27 Datun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区大屯路27号月色码头
Hours: 4.30pm-1.30am
Bonus: Goose Island
Now, this branch of Goose Island isn't located on the Moonlight Pier, but it's pretty close, just northeast of the other breweries. The space has a large terrace area out front, and inside, the decor has the same gastropub vibe as their Solana branch. Here they've got 15+ of their craft beers on tap, and you can get their usual offerings of delectable burgers, snacks and more.
Goose Island Taproom Bird's Nest branch
Beichenhui Northwest Corner, Beichen Xilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区北辰西路北辰荟西北角
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am
Phone: 185 0055 4655
READ: To Try List: Chill Since '93 Opens, New Pasta, Bistro & More
Images: Uni You, Dianping
