New in the Neighborhood: What’s Fresh in Sanlitun?

With everyone eager to enjoy what’s left of 2020 to the fullest, the whole city has seen new venues popping up left, right, and center, and Sanlitun is no exception. We’ve already been keeping you informed on a few of the latest hot spots – check out our detailed reviews of Slow Boat’s latest Mexican concept, Las Musas, as well southern-style curry bowl corner, Ming’s Curry Store by Mosto Group at Nali Patio. Meanwhile, plenty more goings-on are fending off frowns downtown. Here’s your peek into it all:

Aggregation opens next to De Refter

After opening its doors in October, Aggregation is already beginning to develop a fan base thanks to its well-executed concept that combines the service of a cocktail bar with the atmosphere of a night club. It’s housed in the same brick building as De Refer, but the interior embraces a triangular tube lighting theme that keeps the overall atmosphere simultaneously dim but visually appealing, which is a perfect fit for the electronica music that booms at night. Watch out for a full review soon.

The Wood Garden House

Just around the corner in the spot that formerly housed dance club Salsa Caribe (across from Q Mex) is a new restaurant, fresh with a new black-tile façade and done-up interior, called the Wood Garden House. It’s a spacious eatery with two floors and a theme that borders on jungle-like, serving Spanish and Latin-style food. We haven’t yet tried the menu, so we’re not sure whether it’s the eats or simply the beautiful design, but either way, it seems to be attracting a sizable lunchtime crowd from what we’ve seen. There’s also a large stage that currently hosts alternating performances of DJs and a live singer, but we’d be surprised if there weren’t more exciting musical acts on the way given the extent to which they’ve decked it out.

Amid ready for winter with new pods

Since opening around this time last year, Jing Yard has continued development. The yard’s main attraction, Amid, already has plenty of indoor and outdoor space, but as the colder months roll in, they’re allowing visitors to still enjoy the pleasure of outdoor seating without enduring the bitter, biting winds with the help of two bubble pods on the previously bare rooftop.

Cheers gets a new look

The Cheers Wine in the basement food court of Topwin Mall in Sanlitun Soho has moved from its old location just outside of April Gourmet to a new spot just down the hall next to the escalator. In contrast to the old location, which was fine for taking away a bottle but whose exposed, wall-less design made it less than ideal for drinking in, the new spot is nicely tucked away. While it’s still too small for any large parties, it’s a fine spot for a sit-down with a good friend who enjoys conversation over a stemmed glass.

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Images: Dianping, Joey Knotts