The 11 Best Bars & Nightlife in Beijing

12SQM is a legendary tiny bar in the hutongs near the Drum Tower — the name refers to its actual floor space — run by a passionate owner who pours natural wines, craft beers, and interesting spirits in an atmosphere of genuine warmth. It's the kind of place where you end up staying three hours longer than planned. The space is extremely small so it fills up fast; go on a weeknight for the best experience.

Tucked into a hutong alley near Beixinqiao, Mao Mao Chong is a beloved neighbourhood cocktail bar with a warm, candlelit interior and genuinely inventive drinks using Chinese ingredients like baijiu, osmanthus, and pu-erh tea. The bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to craft something bespoke. It's small and intimate, so expect a wait on Friday and Saturday nights.

DDC is a multi-floor live music venue and bar near the Drum Tower that has been central to Beijing's independent music scene for years, hosting everything from jazz and folk to electronic and punk. The drinks are straightforward and affordable, but the real draw is the programming — check their WeChat for upcoming shows. It can get smoky and loud, which is either a feature or a bug depending on your preferences.

Beijing's original craft brewery taproom, hidden in a Qing-era courtyard house down a maze of hutongs. Locally inspired beers (try anything with Sichuan peppercorn or honey) drunk under the open sky — one of the city's great drinking experiences. Finding it the first time is genuinely tricky; that's part of the charm.

The world's first bar dedicated to baijiu — flights, house-distilled spirits, and bartenders who actually explain what you're drinking. The single best way to demystify China's national liquor. One caveat: it has hopped addresses several times (currently in the Longfu Building area off Longfusi Street), so confirm the location on their site or WeChat before heading out.

Jing-A is Beijing's most celebrated craft brewery, founded by two expats who went fully local with Beijing-inspired beers like the Airpocalypse IPA and Worker's Pale Ale. The Workers' Stadium taproom is the flagship, with a lively beer-hall atmosphere and solid bar food. Expect a mixed expat-local crowd and it gets genuinely packed on weekends, so arrive early for a seat.

The Orchid is a boutique hotel bar perched above the hutongs near the Drum Tower, offering one of the best rooftop views in Beijing alongside well-crafted cocktails. The space is beautifully designed with exposed brick and soft lighting, making it ideal for a romantic evening or a special occasion. Prices are on the higher side for Beijing, and reservations are strongly recommended in summer.

Modernista is a stylish hutong bar with a Barcelona-inspired aesthetic, serving well-executed cocktails, Spanish wines, and a thoughtful selection of spirits in a beautifully tiled interior. It attracts a sophisticated local crowd and is one of the more design-conscious bars in the Gulou area. The gin and tonic programme is particularly strong, and the bar team takes their craft seriously.

Slow Boat is one of Beijing's original craft breweries and its Sanlitun taproom remains a reliable favourite for well-made American-style craft beers in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. The Monkey's Fist IPA and Helmsman Stout are perennial highlights. It draws a friendly mix of locals and expats and is notably less chaotic than some nearby bars, making it a solid choice any night of the week.

Migas is a rooftop bar and restaurant on the seventh floor of a building near Sanlitun, offering sweeping city views, strong cocktails, and a buzzy Mediterranean-leaning menu. It's a go-to for Beijing's well-heeled expat and local professional crowd, especially for sunset drinks. The scene can feel more about being seen than the drinks themselves, but the quality is consistently solid.

The Penthouse is a sleek rooftop bar atop a CBD tower offering panoramic views of Beijing's glittering skyline alongside well-made classic cocktails and an extensive whisky list. It caters to the finance and business crowd but is welcoming to anyone who appreciates a well-dressed room and serious drinks. The view alone justifies the price premium, though it can feel corporate on weeknights.