Penthouse Brings Live Music Back to Gulou Dongdajie

It is not that long ago that Gulou Dongdajie was Beijing’s bastion for lovers of (very) late night live music of different styles. Techno stronghold Dada opened its doors to the underground techno club until the early morning hours, while Temple Bar catered to all those rock and punk enthusiasts who couldn’t go a week without a good “mosh pit”.

Since the departure of those two from Gulou area -- with the nearest livehouses being Soi Bar and nugget cafe near Andingmen -- the street has become significantly quieter.

The arrival of a new charming live music place last summer was therefore a pleasant and welcomed surprise: Penthouse (顶楼). The name immediately evokes positive associations, be it with a lofty luxurious penthouse apartment in a trendy city, or with the men`s magazine from the '90s (for the interesting articles, obviously).

Penthouse fortunately matches more with the former. It is based in a very unique and classic building that brings back memories of another century. When you open the door, a bell will ring to ensure your presence won't go unnoticed.

Once you are inside, it's not just the charming design, the little garden area outside, the good service or the wide choice of drinks ranging from standard beers (Corona or “Goose” in a bottle) to fancy cocktails that will make you feel home, but the music. Penthouse is, first and foremost, a place for live music -- and they keep to that promise! Nearly every day from around 8pm to 11.30pm their stage is taken over by different musicians from China or abroad. Most sets go for about 30 minutes each.

Usually for a week or two there will be one specific theme -- like “Girls folk night”, for instance -- so the audience has a good idea in advance what to expect (you can usually find the info on their Dianping page).

It is still a brave step to open a new venue during pandemic times. We can be therefore be very glad that the folks at Penthouse found the courage to bring some more music to the capital. While Penthouse is by no means comparable to those old wild and loud Gulou tenants Temple or Dada, it surely is a very nice new venue to enjoy some good live music in a beautiful setting. 

Penthouse (顶楼)
93 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区 鼓楼东大街 93号

READ: Show Up to 24D Space to Help Nugget Records, Apr 30!

Images: Ole Engelhardt, Dianping