A New Shunyi Local: The Green Cap Bar

Chinese custom would have you believe that the wearing of a green cap by a man is indication that he has been cuckolded. It comes then as no surprise that the first bar to play on the concept is in Shunyi.

Opened by Pat Walsh, the former face of The Pomegranate, The Green Cap offers a welcome alternative for Beijing’s suburbanites. There should be plenty of foot traffic; the bar is connected to a restaurant overlooking the water by the Western Academy of Beijing, and is situated near several residential compounds, meaning you’ll always have someone to drink with.

Confusion may abound on the decor – a Swedish flag sits atop the stairs while an Irish (or maybe Ivorian) standard is hung on the deck – but there’s nothing confusing on the menu.

A well-poured pint of Guinness (RMB 50), a punch-packing “Long Ireland Ice Tea” (RMB 50) and TVs to watch sport confirm this is a bar of simple pleasures, free of the pretensions many (wrongly?) associate with Shunyi.

Only time – or gossip, blogs and forum posts – will tell whether Pat’s charm and potent drinks will make the name a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Good for: Shunyi residents, people hiding from Chaoyang residents
Also try: The Stumble Inn, Paddy O’Shea’s, The Pomegranate

The Green Cap Bar
Tue-Sun noon-late. 100m north of main entrance to Western Academy of Beijing, Laiguangying Donglu (off the Airport Expressway), Chaoyang District (186 1174 7939)
朝阳区来广营东路(北京京西学校旁边）

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