2023 Year-in-Review: New Bar Openings

After three years of Covid uncertainty, 2023 was a nice dose of normality in Beijing, and what a year it’s been! In our 2023 Year-in-Review we’re taking a look back at the happenings in the capital from this year that was.

We already said that 2023 was a big year for new openings and after taking a look at new restaurants, eateries and more in a part one and part two here is our list of hottest bar openings of 2023.  

Grab One Sake 优西打酒铺

As you might be able to guess from the name, this place is all about sake. Opening up in Shangdu Soho in May, Grab One Sake is part bar and part shop with a huge range of sake available. It has a beautifully designed modern interior with a focal point being a circular window decorated with sake bottles. Sake can be selected from their impressively large walk in sake cellar and they also have a menu of small bites if you’re feeling peckish.  

Grab One Sake 优西打酒铺
1F Shangdu SOHO North Tower, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东大桥路8号SOHO尚都北塔１层
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-midnight, Sat-Sun 4pm-midnight
Phone: 185 1050 9041

The Factory

An exciting new bar opened up in Gulou this year in the form of The Factory. The brain child of Zak Elmasri, four different venues are all housed inside its walls: The Factory Craft Beer Bar, Tunnel Café, Black Hole, and Steamed Bun Comics. Since opening they’ve hosted a number of great events including Bring Your Own Vinyl parties (one will actually be taking place today, Dec 30, see poster below), vintage markets, tap takeovers, DJ nights and more. Along with serving great craft beer, cocktails, coffee and excellent vibes they also do a range of Neapolitan-style pizzas too. The Factory is definitely a place to keep an eye one for interesting events in 2024. 

The Factory
135 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区鼓楼工厂鼓楼东大街135号
Hours: 11-2am
Phone: 185 1050 8174

Blue Ark X DAO Coffee

Opening up new hotspot Dongfeng Intl. Sports Park earlier this year, DAO Coffee partnered up with craft beer bar Blue Ark for this little venture. With a large outdoor camping themed seating area and decorative – unfortunately you’re not actually allowed to use it – paddling pool it’s a great spot in the warmer months. As well as coffee and craft beer they also have a variety of food available with a mixture of both western and Asian dishes. 

Blue Ark Pub X DAO Coffee
Inside Dongfeng Intl. Sports Park (South Gate), A9 Nongzhan Nanlu
朝阳区农展南路甲9号东枫国际体育园内
Hours: 10am-6pm (DAO); 5.30pm-1.30am (Blue Ark)
Phone: 185 1589 2837 (DAO); 183 1147 0148 (Blue Ark)

Golden Weasel

We were sad to see nugget close its doors at the end of August this year, however there was a silver lining with the space immediately being taken over by new bar Golden Weasel. The space inside has largely remained the same with a few decorative tweaks and they have continued to do many of the regular events that were so beloved by nugget patrons such as Drink and Draw (Thursdays) and Craft Nights (every other Wednesday). 

With a menu specializing in excellent wine, they also have classic cocktails, beer and occasionally food courtesy of Malo’s which is located next door. Along with the events previously held at nugget they have a Quiz Night held every other Wednesday, Sunday Wine Day when all glasses of wine from a previously opened bottle are 50 percent off. They also do other events such as markets, poetry readings and have regular collaborative events with Malo’s such as cocktail nights, brunches and more. We’re excited to see what other collabs and events they’ll be bringing next year!

Golden Weasel 醉鼠
8 Andingmen Garden Front Alley, Dongcheng District
东城区安定门花园前巷8号
Hours: Tue-Sun, 7pm-midnight (later on weekends)

Lazy Bar

Located in the Xingfucun area with its bright neon lights, Lazy Bar doesn’t exactly come across as a “lazy” place to enjoy a few drinks. However, name aside, they offer up a nice array of cocktails which you can select from their key chain menu which have some rather interesting names like No One Left (RMB 68), Destination (RMB 39) and Spring Fever (RMB 48) along with a selection of wine, beer and spirits. 

Lazy Bar
55 Xinfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区幸福村中路55号
Hours: 6pm-2am
Phone: 185 1106 6693

Coded+

Opening in August, Coded+ brought African vibes to Beijing with chilled music, drinks, shisha and a menu of African dishes like Fish Fu Fu (RMB 88), Pepper Soup (RMB 88) or Chicken Leg Rice (RMB 78). They have weekly promotions like Hookah Night every Wednesday where beers are buy two get one free and hookah is only RMB 100 or Friday to Saturday Open Bar, where RMB 100 will get you free flow drinks from 10pm-1am. They also do other events such as Open Mic every Thursday regular Paint & Sip events, Latin Nights etc. 

Coded+
203, 2/F, Caochang Commercial Plaza, 19 Tianze Road
朝阳区天择路19号草场商业广场2层203号
Hours: Sun-Thu 6pm-4am, Fri-Sat 6pm-6am
Phone: 137 1603 2294

uh-huh

One of the newest bar openings in town, uh-huh is, in their own words, “a chic, homely, and a bit funky wine bar and eatery”. As you’d expect from any wine bar worth its salt, they have a great wine selection with around eight wines available to buy by the glass, half bottle or whole bottle, and you're welcome to try before buying. There are also numerous other bottles available which can be selected from their walk-in wine cellar. 

On the food front they have an eclectic menu with everything from small bites like Mediterranean Olives (RMB 38) to Beef Short Rib Biryani (RMB 158/small RMB 288/large) or Chicken Mughali Mongolian Pastry (RMB 88) along with a deli style counter with charcuterie and cheese. 

uh-huh
146 Jiaodaokounan Dajie 交道口南大街146号
Hours: 6.30pm-late, closed on Tue
Phone: 18515941500

Drunk Maui Tiki Bar

Beijing got itself a new tiki bar this year when long time casual haunt for Shuangjing residents The Brick had a makeover and reopened as Drunk Maui Tiki Bar. The new look includes a bar kitted out in bamboo, a selection of tiki masks, art, decorations and of course brand new menu of tiki cocktails Some to try are the Strawberry Volcano (RMB 75), Soda Coconut (RMB 70) and the classic super strong Zombie (RMB 85). However, if tiki cocktails just aren’t your thing you can still get one of their signature hefty 1,000ml steins of beer.

Drunk Maui Tiki Bar
Unit 2-11, Bldg 2, Tianzhi Jiaozi, 31 Guangqu Lu (northeast corner of Shuangjing Qiao), Chaoyang District
朝阳区双井桥东北角广渠路31号院天之骄子2号楼底商2-11
Hours: 6pm-3am
Phone: 186 1261 7634

READ: 2023 Year-in-Review: Restaurants, Eateries and More Pt.2

Images: courtesy of the venues, Dianping