Howlin' at the Moon - Where to Moon Watch this Mid-Autumn Fest
Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, when the moon is said to be fuller and brighter than at any other time of year! Reason to dig out the binoculars and get onto Beijing’s best bar terraces and rooftops. It’ll also be one of your last chances to enjoy outdoor drinking before many terraces close or are frosted over for the winter!
China Bar
Not a terrace, of course, but earns its place for still having the best view in town. That much should be obvious during the holiday week, when China Bar will be one of few places where you can be sure of a premium view – as ever, pollution permitting – of both 60th anniversary fireworks and mid-autumn full moon action. The only drawback is that you can’t sit outside to enjoy the festivities. Then again, by early October we might already be feeling the first shivers of winter …
Daily 5pm-1am. 65/F, Park Hyatt, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (8567 1234) 朝阳区建国门外大街2号
Danger Doyle’s
This Irish sports bar features one of Beijing’s largest terraces, with great views to the west over Gongti and south towards the Forbidden City. If the weather’s chilly, warm up with a selection of over 100 bottled beers from Russia, Belgium, Germany, Australia and more.
Daily 10am-1am. 3/F, Bldg 5, China View, 2 Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District. (6591 3337) 朝阳区工体东路2号中国红街大楼5号楼三层
Fez Bar
Don’t even attempt to go to Fez for the fireworks – the whole of Ch’ien Men 23 will likely be closed from September 29 to October 2, although the dates were unconfirmed as we went to print. Fez would probably be one of the best places to enjoy the fireworks, so do call to see if they’ll be open again for mid-autumn moon viewing on October 3. Or simply head down another time to sample the fine cocktails.
Daily 6pm-1am. Ch’ien Men 23 (part of the Hex, Shiro Matsu, Agua complex), 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. (6559 6266) 东城区前门东大街23号
Happiness Lounge
Many readers will be put off by the taxi ride up to the Bird’s Nest. That’s their loss, as Happiness should be a fantastic place to watch the fireworks, with a vantage point facing directly south towards the Forbidden City. The happiness for customers is in discovering that, unlike at China Bar, there’s no minimum spend required for a top-class berth here.
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
Nuage
Houhai long-timer featuring a great view of the lake and south towards the skies above Tian’anmen. The moon should be visible above the lake as well. Come for a drink or snack on Vietnamese dishes.
Daily 11am-11pm. 22 Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District. (6401 9581) 庆云楼, 西城区前海东沿22号
Obiwan
It’s small, but Obiwan’s roof terrace offers clear views east towards the skies above the ancient north-to-south axis running from Tian’anmen to Gulou and eventually to the rather more modern structure of the Bird’s Nest. If skies are clear, you ought to get a reasonably good view here.
Daily 2pm-2am. 4 Xihai Xiyan (300m from Jishuitan subway station), Xicheng District. (8322 1231, contact@clubobiwan.com.cn) 西城区西海西沿4号
Xiu
It’s been the place to see and be seen over the summer gone past. Can Xiu now sustain its success into the colder months? Hefty crowds for ladies’ night Thursdays suggest customers aren’t flocking to Xiu solely for the view from the attractive terrace. Surrounding buildings will likely hinder the view for firework- or moon-watching, but there are ample other distractions to enjoy on an evening spent on Xiu’s terrace.
Mon-Wed 5pm-2am, Thu-Sat 5pm-3am. 6/F, Park Hyatt (entrance across from the hotel lobby), 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5867 1108) 秀, 朝阳区朝阳区建国门外大街2号
