Let's Get High: Where to Go in Beijing for Drinks or Dinner with a View

Quick: It looks like another rare day for great big beautiful blue skies in Beijing. Sunset's at 4.50pm so run – don't walk – to one of these excellent venues in Beijing where on smog-free days you can glance down on the city and feel pride instead of shame that you call it home.

We've kept the list limited to only those that have indoor areas (as opposed to roof decks) as we're assuming you don't intend to freeze your butt off just for the sake of a view.
 

Atmosphere Bar
With views overlooking the city, single malts and over 300 cocktails on its drink menu, there is no way in the world that the highest bar in Beijing would fall short of what its name promises. Come for the view, and stay for live music and a wine list.

Mon-Fri noon-2am, Sat and Sun noon-4am. 80/F, China World Summit Wing, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6505 2299 ext 6433)
朝阳区光华路国贸3期80层（中国大饭店北侧）
 

Capital M
Voted Outstanding in the Best Restaurant of the Year (Fine Dining/Non-Chinese) category in the Beijinger’s 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards, Capital M’s terrace, which overlooks the historic Qianmen area, affords one of the most impressive views in the city, while the ornate dining room, with its signature parquet flooring and elegant lighting, is a suitably opulent setting for European culinary indulgence. A range of fine wines and classic cocktails are on offer at the bar.

Mon-Fri 11am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-5pm, 6-10.30pm. 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street (southeast of Qianmen), Chongwen District (6702 2727)
崇文区前门步行街2号3层
 

China Bar
Perched on the 65th floor of the Park Hyatt, China Bar serves a stunning view of the city alongside its finely mixed and reasonable cocktails and 400 label wine collection. The atmosphere is dark, minimalist and comfortable.

Sun-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am 65/F, Park Hyatt, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (8567 1268)
朝阳区建国门外大街2号柏悦酒店65层
 

Happiness Lounge
Decadent is the word that best describes this bar, situated in the city’s only seven-star hotel. Decorated with marble, sumptuous furniture and Chinese touches, this luxury-lined haven overlooks the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest, and is the perfect place to escape from the grit and grime of the city streets.

Daily 3pm-2am. 20/F, Pangu 7 Star Hotel, 27 Beisihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (5906 7888)
朝阳区北四环中路 27号
 

X25
On the 25th floor of the W Hotel Beijing, the north and west sides of this bar/club feature clear views of Beijing from the southeast corner of Jianguomen on the Second Ring Road. Likely less crowded on a school night than some of the aforementioned venues, try some baijiu cocktails while drinking in the view of Tiananmen (the gate and the square), and on a clear night you can see all the way to the Olympic Park.

Sun-Thu 8pm-2am, Fri-Sat 8pm-3am. No.2 Jianguomennan Dajie, Chaoyang District (6515 8855)
朝阳区建国门南大街2号

Photo courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts