Beijing Sanlitun – List of Pubs/Bars/Disco Beijing Sanlitun

Beijing Sanlitun – Sanlitun is AMAZING! Though we party a lot in Singapore with famous disco like Zouk and Ministry of Sound, there is a raw party vibe at Beijing City's Sanlitun.

In fact, Sanlitun reminds me of being in Khao San in Bangkok, loads of fun with a hint of danger lurking around you when you’re not aware. And this is one of the main hangouts of locals and foreign expats when they want to let their hair down.

When I first arrived in Beijing, this was THE place to hang out to meet girls and talk to future Beijing artists and musicians. A pretty bohemian place especially set in the background of China’s most historical cities.

What is Sanlitun?

Enjoy a Video Clip of Beijing Sanlitun Bar Street!

It actually refers to both the neighborhood and an actual street that runs through its heart. So, there is actually Sanlitun Street!

In addition, Beijing Sanlitun is also home to a large cluster of Embassies and is sometimes referred to as the "Second Embassy District."

In recent times, Sanlitun has also undergone a makeover (probably to make it SHINE for Olympics 2008 held in Beijing). Thus don’t be surprised that if you go away for a month and return, your favorite watering hole or restaurant may no longer be there!

I guess that’s why with Sanlitun, the place is usually crowded with repeat visitors as they are worried that at anytime, things would just disappear!

As for the danger lurking around at Sanlitun Street, one must be mindful of colorful characters that litter that stretch. It is usual to meet a motley crew of of drunks, drug dealers, DVD salesmen, hookers and first-time Beijing backpackers looking for a fabulous night-out experience!

So, be careful!

Now, let me tell you what you can expect at some of the joints here.

Where do I hangout when I am in Beijing Sanlitun?

For me, I tend to meet up friends at the "Poachers Inn". It is probably one of the most popular bars among foreigners in this area. If it’s overly-crowded, you’ll probably find me at "Kai" as it offers a good combination of cheap drinks and a cosy atmosphere.

Being a Happy Mondays/ Smiths/ Coldplay fan, I will try my best to go for the Indie Night on every second Thursday of the month. They do play stuff that I am more accustomed to compared to say - RnB/hip hop music which is played at most places.

At Beijing Sanlitun, there is also a Jazz-themed Japanese Restaurant called Jazz-Ya. In my opinion, it’s a weird fusion of eating sushi and listening to Billie Holiday and Miles Davis at the same time. Pretty attractive waitresses.

There are many joints to cover but I rather leave you to explore and make your own judgment. Anyway, do not put off if some ladies approach you to sell cigars and cigarettes and even flowers! Just decline them politely if you’re not buying.

So Beijing Sanlitun Bar Street is just a great place to just go and talk with you friends while listening to some great music. After a hard day’s work, you deserve it!

Address: The Sanlitun area is around "Dongzhimenwai Dajie" (Dongzhimenwai Avenue), northeast of the city centre - take the tube to Dongzhimen station on the Circle line No.01.

List of Pubs/Bars/ Discotheques at BeijingSanlitun:

Poachers Inn

Add: 43 Sanlitun North Rd., Chaoyang District

Tel: 6417 2632 ext 8506

Packed way beyond capacity most nights, the patrons surround the bar outside for some oxygen before elbowing back in. Single women abound here so it's worth the shouldering.

pm - ?

Kai Club

Add: Sanlitun Beijie (around the corner from Poachers Inn), Chaoyang District

Tel: 6416 6254

Mon-Fri: 6pm - 2am; Sat-Sun: 6pm - 4am

Jazz-Ya

Add: 18 Sanlitun North Rd., Chaoyang District

Tel: 6415 1227

Japanese style restaurant bar. Features Jazz and Japanese pop sets.

11:30am - 2am

Downtown Cafe & Bar

Add: 26 Sanlitun North Rd. (North Bar Street), Chaoyang District

Tel: 6415 2100

Belly dancers.

11am - 2am

Kokomo Caribbean Cocktail Bar & Restaurant

Add: 4/F Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Houjie (above China Doll), Chaoyang District

Tel: 6413 1019

Sun-Thu: 11am - 2am; Fri-Sat: 11am - 4am

L'Etage Bar

Add: 2/F, Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6417 8198

4pm - 2am

Pink Loft

Add: 6 Sanlitun South Rd., Chaoyang District

Tel: 6506 8811

11am - 2am

QBar

Add: Top floor of Eastern Inn Hotel, Sanlitun South Rd., Chaoyang District

Tel: 6595 9239 Rooftop patio

6pm - 2am

Shooters

Add: Bldg 40, 5 Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6416 3726

Sun-Thu: 6pm - 2am; Fri-Sat: 6pm - 4am

Swing Bar

Add: 58 Sanlitun Rd., Chaoyang District

Tel: 6415 9196

A swing and a miss. As with every bar on Sanlitun's main road. Good for loud obnoxious live bands, "friendly" ladies terrible staff and ipso facto - overpriced drinks. Just stay off that road...

10am - ?

The Rickshaw

Add: Sanlitun South Rd. (north of the turn-off to The Bookworm), Chaoyang District

Tel: 6500 4330 24 hrs

W Sports and Music Restaurant & Bar

Add: 120 Sanlitun South Rd., Chaoyang District

Tel: 6595 8039

Owned by former ping-pong world champion Jan-Ove Waldner, this is a great place to bet a boasting young Chinese man a pint that he can't beat the bar owner at ping pong.

10am - 2am

Browns

Add: Sanlitun South Rd., (upstairs from The Loft), Chaoyang District

Tel: 6591 2717 / 6592 3692

Very popular new spot.

Mon/Tue/Thu/Sun: 11am - 2am; Wed/Fri/Sat: 11am - 4am

The Bund

Add: B1/F, Bldg 7, Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6417 8288

Mon-Fri: 10 - 2am; Sat-Sun: 10am - ?

Cheers Cafe

Add: 2/F, Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District

Tel: 135 2044 6062

6pm - ?

Live music

China Doll

Add: 2/F, Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6417 4699