Hutong Bars

Hidden up a staircase behind beer bar Tiao Hui on Andingmennei Dajie, Non-Binary is making what could possibly be the most inventive craft cocktails in Beijing from behind a series of bar counters which combine with the bar's aesthetic. Winner of Best Bar Design at the 2023 North Regional DRiNK Awards.

The Factory is a project space that contains four different venues within its two floors. Housed inside are Tunnel Café, a craft beer bar; Black Hole, a "cocktail and chill-out lounge"; and Steamed Bun Comics, Beijing’s first and only fully-fledged comic store. 

Moonee is located close to Houhai with views of the Drum Tower. With an outside terrace viewing the traditional hutong area, Moonee brings you a whole new, unique dining experience you can’t get elsewhere. They have regular live music and other events.

Yuanliao space is a punk hutong bar with drink names to match, like the Scumbag, the Tooth Paste, and Raw Material. Sip them in a dark space under broad-stroke calligraphy and punk art.

A artistically designed coffee shop that sits inside the quiet art venue 77 Cultural Park. 

Now with two locations this bar is a firm favorite among Beijingers and, thanks to Uday Phalgun and his team, a burger lover's paradise that also specializes in international-style bar grub. With regular drink specials, there's also plenty to wash it all down with.

Fun, low key joint on Jiaodaokou with a barebones sports bar downstairs and a few offbeat pint choices (New York's Blue Point, anyone?) and a romantic, loft-ish cocktail bar on the second floor. 

Paca Lee of Ramo's more night-centric sister space is colorful and bright – light green walls and floral painted ceilings – and differs to Ramo in its bigger focus on drink, particularly handcrafted and bottled cocktails, as well as Brewdog on tap.

The kitchen still serves some food so as not to leave your stomach completely unlined, in the form of dips with fresh-from-the-oven bread sticks, (RMB 35), pocket sandwiches (RMB 40), and a cheese and meat platter (RMB 60).

Located in the heart of Gulou at the south end of Baochao Hutong, Samans is 100m north from Guloudong Dajie, and right between the venerable late-night institutions of Temple/Dada and Modernista, making it a good spot for pre- or post-night out drinks.

Proud to be locally run, management stock cheap drinks, shots, cocktails, and Beijing beer on tap, plus chuan'r, and big portions on bar snacks for when the munchies come.

Dongsi-based record store Fruityshop gets a little sister performance space, aptly titled Fruityspace.