In a city where Mandarin is the only language spoken amongst most natives, majority of non-Chinese travellers tend to find themselves lost when navigating around the capital of China. English information on Beijing’s bars is extremely scarce, too!
Many bars in Beijing are located in obscure and ancient alleyways or what they call hutong. Most of them are dimly lit (or none at all), hence making the accidental discovery of bars almost impossible. Having said that, not every bar is situated in dingy alleys. To our surprise, most of these bars share an interesting vision of injecting Chinese elements into their brews and concoctions.
Through word-of-mouth recommendations from likeminded guzzlers, we have successfully narrowed down a wallet-friendly list. We understand that affordability is of utmost importance to travellers and we are no exception. From hidden cocktail bar Mao Mao Chong to award-winning local brewery Jing A, here is our guide to 8 Affordable Bars in Beijing.
#1 GREAT LEAP BREWERY
Located adjacent to the popular nightlight district of San Li Tun is Great Leap Brewery, Beijing’s first craft brewery. Great Leap boasts a comprehensive menu of unique Chinese craft beers, where they are brewed in-house with locally grown Chinese ingredients.
Alcoholic beverages are extremely affordable and we highly recommend their signature Honey Ma Gold (RMB35 for 440ml). Infused with Sichuan peppercorns and organic local honey, the Honey Ma Gold is a refreshing and subtly sweet drink. It is also Great Leap Brewery’s first creation!
If you find yourself indecisive, why not opt for their tasting flights where you get to sample 120ml of four different beers at RMB50? And if that is still too much of a hassle, choose the GLB Classics Tasting Flight (RMB40) where you get to savour the following beers, Edmund Backhouse Pilsner, Pale Ale #6, Honey Gold Ma and East City Porter in small portions.
The flagship store is at Dou Jiao Hu Tong while the other outlet is located in Dong Cheng district. All three bars commence operations in the day but the crowds at night could have you waiting up to more than 30 minutes.
6 Dou Jiao Hu Tong
Dong Cheng District
Tel: 010-5717-1399
Sun to Thu: 2pm – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 2pm – 12am
Nearest Train: Si Cha Hai
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Award-winning Jing A Brewing Taproom is a brewery-cum-bar situated in San Li Tun’s 1949 Hidden City. Jing A has interestingly derived its name from the licensed car plates during the late 1990s period in Beijing. If anyone were to register their car plate right now, the alphabet would probably be starting from Jing Q onwards.
The team behind Jing A has come a long, long way. The founders started making their very first batch of hand crafted beers from simple plastic buckets and the rest is history.
The industrial-chic microbrewery serves a wide variety of tasty artisanal ales and lagers that have kept its customers returning religiously for more. Treat yourselves to premium full-flavoured beers infused with Chinese ingredients such as Full Moon Farmhouse Ale (RMB40 for 400ml) and Mandarin Wheat (RMB35 for 400ml).
The bar is effortlessly stunning with its bricked walls, softly lit filament bulbs and minimalistic wooden furniture. The outdoor spacious courtyard is equally inviting! Jing A also offers free wifi to all patrons.
1949 The Hidden City
Courtyard 4, Gong Ti Bei Lu
Chaoyang district
Tel: +86 6501 8883
Mon: Closed
Tue to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri: 5pm – 2am
Sat: 11am – 2am
Sun: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Tuan Jie Hu
#3 MAO MAO CHONG
Mao Mao Chong means hairy caterpillar when translated directly. Tucked away in a dark hutong, Mao Mao Chong is a stone’s throw away from the bustling Nan Luo Gu Xiang area and its special cocktail concoctions are worth the detour from your usual route.
Two alcoholic beverages that stood out include the Pandan Daiquiri (RMB45) and White Chocolate Pina Colada (RMB50). The former is a refreshing pandan leaf-infused white rum with pandan syrup and lime juice, while the latter is a white rum infused with chocolate liqueur, pineapple juice, coconut milk and dusted with cacao.
Mao Mao Chong’s staff service is excellent; their friendly employees made us feel really at home. If you are looking for an intimate bar to unwind over exotic cocktail concoctions, the ever-welcoming Mao Mao Chong will definitely fit the bill.
Here’s a tip – Drop by on Wednesdays and diners get to enjoy cocktails at a steal for only RMB35 each. Mao Mao Chong is also renowned for their gourmet pizzas, where it has been crowned by The Beijinger Pizza Cup as top 12. Do note that Mao Mao Chong only accepts cash and is a non-smoking bar.
12 Ban Chang Hutong
Dong Cheng, Beijing
Jiao Dao Kou S Street
Tel: +86 6405 5718
Mon: Closed
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – late
Nearest Station: Nan Luo Gu Xiang / Zhang Zhi Zhong
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#4 MING DONG BANG
Ming Dong Bang is a Korean restaurant at Wu Dao Kou that is well known for their tantalising Korean grilled cheese pork ribs.
Besides their mad delicious food, Ming Dong Bang is also frequented for their eye-catching cotton candy beer cocktails! Choose from the original flavour Coronarita (RMB58) or opt for the Vampire Coronarita (RMB58) and Blue Hawaii Coronorita (RMB58).
Each coronorita is essentially an inverted bottle of corona semi-dipped into a sweet tasting margarita. The inversion is made possible with a bottle holder and the corona seeps into the beverage gradually.
We love the fact that Ming Dong Bang’s take on the coronarita comes with a fluffy cotton candy! Guests of Ming Dong Bang also get to enjoy complimentary wifi.
29 Wu Dao Kou Chengfu Level 2
27th International Food Court
Tel: (010) 61647990
Nearest Station: Wu Dao Kou
#5 MOJITO MAN
Mojito Man is not exactly a bar, but is actually a takeout mojito stand located along San Li Tun’s bar strip. Famous for their extraordinarily cheap drinks, Mojito Man sells the classic delicious cocktail in takeaway plastic cups at just RMB15 each.
Sandwiched between a service centre and Miss Hai’s Cakes, the Mojito Man’s kiosk could be easily missed if you do not look hard enough.
Muddled with fresh mint leaves and well mixed with Bacardi white rum, lime juice and soda water, the traditional Cuban cocktail packs an invigorating punch with every sip! Do not underestimate the sweet mojito – it is actually a lot more potent than you think so.
The Mojitos are meant for takeouts but if you would like, you can sit at the puny stools along the road for an authentic hipster Beijinger experience.
43 Sanlitun N St,
Chaoyang District
Daily: 7pm – late
#6 PANDA BREW PUB
Beijing’s craft beer industry is booming rapidly and Panda Brew Pub is one of those that had evolved quickly to cater to its patrons’ needs. We love the fact that Panda Brew Pub’s name and logo have been inspired by China’s national animal. Both the beer bottles and cups at the bar are adorned with adorable pandas – how irresistible!
Cuteness aside, locally owned Panda Brew Pub features an impressive variety of excellent beers that have been brewed in Beijing. There is a bigger 2-storey outlet that had opened its doors late last year in the same Dong Cheng district.
Order their “Too Young” Wheat (RMB35) – an adapted version of the Traditional Belgium White Beer which was awarded a silver medal during the 2014 Shanghai International Beer Festival. The fine wheat beer is brewed with barley malt and European spices (the exact formula remains a secret), resulting in a fragrant, citrusy and low-alcohol content brew.
Panda Brew also recommends one of their earliest creations, the “Pure Red” Honey Ale (RMB38), which was created out of the owner’s love for honey.
61 Wu Dao Ying Hu Tong
Dongcheng District
Nearest Station: An Ding Men
14 Dong Si North Street
Dongcheng District
Daily: 10am – 2am
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#7 SLOW BOAT TAP ROOM
After an apprehensive walk through an alley in pitch darkness, we finally arrived at Slow Boat Taproom without knowing it! The entrance’s appearance is hardly visible, but upon entry you would be surprised by how such a concealed bar-cum-restaurant could be so jam-packed.
Slow Boat Taproom takes pride in serving fresh unpasteurised beers and is the proud creator of 17 different beers. They have also been acknowledged by magazine – That’s Beijing – as having the best burgers in town.
Each beer is free from chemicals and preservatives, hence ensuring a fresh topnotch drink. Savour Slow Boat Taproom’s Captain’s Pale Ale – a dark copper light-bodied ale with a piquant grapefruit aroma. Its sweet malt notes juxtaposes the bitter citrus taste, hence resulting in a smooth finish. This signature brew also happens to be Slow Boat Taproom’s flagship beer.
The list of beers vary from time to time, depending on the season, but core brews such as Captain’s Pale Ale (RMB40), Monkey’s Fist IPA (RMB40) and bottled Zombie Pirate Pale Ale (RMB40) will always be available.
Dongcheng Qu 8th Alley
56 Dong Si Ba Tiao
Tel: +86 10 6538 5537
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri: 5pm – 1Aam
Sat: 2pm – 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Zhangzizhonglu
#8 STUFF’D & ARROW FACTORY BREWING
Arrow Factory Brewing has opened up its taproom right inside the whitewashed cottage-like building of Stuff’d restaurant. These two seemingly different brands are actually owned by British restaurateur Will Yorke.
Boasting 12 types of beers on tap and a delectable selection of British grub, Arrow Factory Brewing is a budding star to watch out for. The watering hole resembles a log cabin and is a cozy space perfect for a chill night out.
Do expect guest DJs spinning in the lounge from time to time when daylight wanes away. Start your day/night with The Man With The Golden Hop (RMB40), an English country Ale with a dry fruity finish that is easy to drink. If you are looking for something stronger, do try their Bitter End Rye (RMB40) and Seeing Double I.P.A (RMB45).
Tap on their happy hour promotion – which takes place daily from 5pm to 7pm – and enjoy RMB10 off each beer!
9 Jian Chang Hutong
Dong Cheng District
Mon: 11.30am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Tue: Closed
Wed to Sun: 11.30am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Tel: +86 (10) 64076308
Nearest Train: Dongsi
About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.