Boozy Beijing: Best Shops and Websites to Stock up on Liquor
It is almost warm again, so this is the perfect time to throw some final house parties before we take ourselves to Beijing’s many sophisticated venues and rooftops to have the cocktails poured for us. To get going on these last domestic affairs, we’ll need to stock up on the bottles. Thankfully there are plenty of places to do that. These are Beijing’s best places to fill the bar, both online and offline.
SHOPS
Jenny Lou’s
Jenny Lou’s has a pretty solid collection of liquors, wines, and beers. Prices are generally higher than some of the online stores, but there’s the benefit of being able to stock up last minute. Check our online directory (thebeijinger.com/directory/jenny-lous) for locations throughout the city.
Daily 8am-10pm. 101 Bldg 17, Central Park International Apartments, Chaoyang District (6533 6792)
朝阳区新城国际17号楼101
April Gourmet
Similar to Jenny Lou’s, April Gourmet has a broad collection of liquors, wines, and beers that differ per store. Prices are also somewhat higher than some of the online stores.
Daily 8am-9pm. 1 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District (8455 1245)
朝阳区三里屯北小街1号
Chez Gerard
This imported foods supermarket located between Andingmen and Yonghegong has a good collection of spirits, beers, and wines, at a range of prices.
Daily 10.30am-10.30pm. Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区箭厂胡同
Dongjiao Market
Mostly a kitchen and housewares market, there is a great shop by the West entrance that sells all the equipment you’ll need to make cocktails at home: think cocktail shakers and stirrers, as well as nice glasses. There’s some alcohol out the back at lower prices than in other stores listed, but as we can’t guarantee the authenticity of the booze, it’s not worth the trek to the Fifth Ring Road just for the bottles.
Daily 8am-5.30pm. East Wangsiying Bridge, Chaoyang District (6729 8666)
东郊批发市场：朝阳区王四营桥东
ONLINE DELIVERY SERVICES
Ai Whisky (www.aiwhisky.com)
Ai Whisky specializes in, obviously, whiskey. Their collection is laid out in different categories so you can easily browse as well as use their search function if you’ve got something specific in mind. Anything above RMB 500 is delivered for free, and if this is the kind of stuff you’re into, you might just go over that minimum. They also stock tequila, rum, gin, vodka, brandy, aperitifs, champagne, and other spirits (think absinthe).
Shanghai9 (www.shanghai9.com)
Authentic products across almost every category of alcohol, including starter kits for your home bar at three different price ranges, whether you’re looking for something simple, superior, or top shelf alcohol (RMB 385-1,995). Order online for a delivery fee of RMB 3-16 depending on how much you order. Payment may be completed upon delivery.
Jiuxian (www.jiuxian.com)
With a similar set-up to JD.com, Jiuxian has a huge range of alcohol available at decent prices. Create an account and you’ll have access to all of this, including a pay on delivery option. Check back regularly for different deals, especially around the holidays. Good luck avoiding the baijiu…we had never seen this many types until checking their selection. Yihaodian (www.yhd.com) and Jingdong (www.jd.com) are the same concepts but don’t focus only on alcohol, so while your options might be fewer, these websites also carry different deals.
Jinshisong (www.jinshisong.com)
For instant alcohol delivery (well, within the hour depending on where you live), most restaurants on Jinshisong also offer drinks, and there’s the option to add bottles of Leffe, Hoegaarden, Kwak, or Franziskaner to your order.
Sherpa’s (www.sherpa.com.cn)
Sherpa’s has Smirnoff vodka (RMB 83 for 750ml), Jim Beam (RMB 120 for 750ml), red wines and white wines (RMB 79-134), and bottled beers (RMB 80-99 for six packs). They are delivered on the same schedule as food (generally within an hour depending on where you live).
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Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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