Beijing Houhai – List of Pubs/ Bars & Discotheques

Beijing Houhai – There are quite a few areas to have a good time inBeijing. And Houhai is one of them.

In Chinese, Houhai means "The River Behind". It’s probably called that as there is a lake nearby the area.

Though Houhai area bars are not downtown, there is still a crowd during weekends. Many small bars that lined the winding streets overlooking the canals are usually packed during weekend.

In fact, the lake area is surpassing Sanlitun to become the most popular night life spot in Beijing, especially in the summer when people can enjoy a cool breeze from the lake. In addition, during some special nights, the area will be filled with red lanterns and floating candles on the lake.

You have to see to believe!

Day Scene in Beijing Houhai

With its unique location and attraction, Beijing Houhai is becoming more expensive and tourist-oriented than Sanlitun. Personally, I don’t mind paying the extras as Houhai reminds me of the famous Boat Quay in Singapore - a row of watering holes, discotheques and al fresco restaurants overlooking the Singapore River.

I’m getting nostalgic again.

Where do I usually hang out in Houhai?

The Buddha Bar is a place that I would recommend for chilling out. Nicely decorated and good selections of ambient-type music - probably taken form the Buddha Bar compilation album CDs.

Another must-go place for me is No Name Bar, one of the forerunners of Houhai joints, owned by a charismatic young cellist in his 30s. I guess it’s more the conversation as there are many regulars there.

And for Jazz lovers, you can visit East Shore Live Jazz Cafe and enjoy live jazz sets on every Thursday to Sunday.

Beijing Houhai Trivial

The tipping point for Houhai as a Beijing nightlife entertainment area only started during the period of SARS disease.

WhenBeijing was in the grasp of SARS, the government advised people not to stay indoors. Thus, many bars then set tables in the open air along Shichahai Lake.

When SARS was over, the customers enjoyed the outdoor drinking experience so much that they continue to come in droves.

Now, there are more than 70 small bars and restaurants in the lanes of Houhai, with more opening all the time.

It just shows that with every threat comes good business opportunity for those who grab them!

Nightlife in Beijing Houhai

Now, read on for a list of Pubs/ Bars and Discotheques in Beijing Houhai:

Buddha Bar

Add: 16 Yinding Qiao, Shichahai, Xicheng District

Tel: 6615 5746

Houhai area: 2pm - 2am

No Name Bar

Add: 3 Qianhai Dongyan (next to Kaorou Ji restaurant), Xicheng District

Tel: 6401 8541

Houhai bar area: 12pm - 2am

East Shore Live Jazz Cafe

Add: 2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyanlu, Xicheng District

Tel: 8403 2131

Houhai Jazz bar. Live Jazz sets from Thurs-Sun: 11am - ?

Club Nuage

Add: 22 Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District

Tel: 6401 2631

Tue-Sun: 11am - ? Closed Mon

Eye on the Lake

Add: 13 Dongming Hutong, Houhai, Xicheng District

Tel: 135 0111 9555

Nice little Houhai bar with outdoor area: 2pm - 2am

Hai Bar

Add: 36 Yandai Xiejie, Xicheng District

Tel: 6403 4913

Houhai bar. Outdoor seating: 2pm - 2am

Herrenhauser

Add: 22 Deshengmennei Dajie, Houhai West Bank, Xicheng District

Tel: 6404 2059

Houhai bar: 11am - ?

Hope Bar

Add: 20 Houhai Nan (50m west of Yinding bridge), Xicheng District

Tel: 6613 6209

2pm - 2am

Houhai Zoo

Add: Bldg 2, Qianhai (next to East Shore Live Jazz), Xicheng District

Tel: 6403 6690 10

Houhai area: 10am - 3am

Hutong Bar

Add: 8 Houhai Nanyan, Xicheng District

Tel: 6615 8691

Houhai bar area: 2pm - 2am

La Baie des Anges

Add: 5 Nanguanfang Hutong, Houhai, Xicheng District

Tel: 6657 1605

Wine bar: Tue-Sun; 6pm - 2am

Nuage

Add: 22 Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District

Tel: 6401 9581

In Houhai bar area. Daily: 11am - 2pm; 5:30 - 10pm

Sex and Da City

Add: 15 Lotus Lane, Houhai, Xicheng District

Tel: 6612 5046

Terrible choice of name made up for on Tues, Thurs & Saturday nights with pole dancers!

Mon-Thu; 4pm - 2am; Fri-Sun; 2pm - 2am

Taozhi Yaoyao

Add: Beiguanfang Hutong (west of Houhai Nanyan, beside Tinghaiting), Xicheng District

Tel: 6611 8585

2pm - 12am