Nightlife in: Beijing

Going to China this summer? Don't know where to go? Below is a list of the places I went out to in Beijing. Enjoy.

Shooters
The first bar I went to in Beijing. Impressive due to inexpensive alcohol and the abundance of young expats or children of expats and other foreigners. The layout of the bar is pretty typical, rather small and without air conditioning = very hot and sweaty. Be careful not to get cigarette burns from the people who smoke inside, it's hard to avoid when there are so many people rubbing against each other. All the music played is American pop, so it's a good place to go when you're looking for the familiar home bar-scene. Also good if you're looking to scope out 18-year-olds with no regard for bar etiquette.

Location: Off of one of the side streets in Sanlitun

The Den
Frequented by British expats and Rugby players, The Den has a reputation for being the best place to go when craving Western food. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try the food so I can't tell you from first-hand experience. Drinks are decently priced and the waiters can speak English so ordering drinks is as breezy as a Malibu Bay Breeze. There are places to sit inside and outside, but the scene is rather calm overall. I didn't get the hype, but later on I was told that it was an "off-night." It's worth going to, if you're looking for a hot Brit or Rugby buff.

Location: Intersection of Gongti Dong Lu 4A

Kai Club
Another bar in the Sanlitun strip, but unique because it was the only place I saw that served Hoegaarden beer. I didn't get a chance to stay for long because it was so crowded already by 11pm. Aside from the abundance of white people, a wall covered in foreign currency with writings hailing the Kai Club makes its popularity among visitors evident. Personally I didn't appreciate the note that said, "South Korea sucks, Kai Club rocks." :-P

Location: Another back road off Sanlitun

Nanjie
This is were I spent most of my Friday night. They offer table service upstairs including a great outdoor balcony. According to some "locals" I met, its prior location was closer to the main Sanlitun strip, but moved when it became inconceivably filthy. Its new location, across from a salsa club is doing a good job so far in terms of tidiness. Drinks are rather cheap, they give you dice and cups for drinking games, and the music is good. I can't remember quite what they were playing, but considering that it's a favorite expat bar, American pop and electronica is not a far-fetched guess.

Location: 4 Gongti Beil (near Sanlitun), across Salsa Caribe