Asia’s 50 Best, My Ass: Great Beijing Bars That Deserve a Nod

Well, well, well: It seems the esteemed authors of Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 – announced last night in Hong Kong - have once again overlooked the vibrant, diverse, and downright intoxicating bar scene of Beijing. Not a single Beijing bar made their Top 50 list – hell, Beijing didn’t get a single nod in their Top 100.

We're not bitter (okay, maybe a little), but we can't help but raise an eyebrow at this glaring omission. Asia’s a big place for sure, but when both Beijing and Shanghai get shafted out of the Top 50 – and only four mainland spots make appearances in the Top 100 -- one must conclude that the PRC is not getting its due.

By the way, for those curious: Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame was ranked #14, while Changsha’s CMYK cracked the top 50 at #43. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s Epic came in at #54 and Sober Company at #92.

Asia’s Best apparently relies on a panel of 265 regional experts, a mix of writers, well-traveled cocktail connoisseurs, and industry professionals, including bartenders and bar owners. A diverse group, no doubt, but we can't help but wonder if they just don’t spend enough time in Beijing. Their list leans heavily towards the high-priced bespoke cocktail lounges and the five-star hotel watering holes; we instead chose our favorites based on their unique Beijing charm.

But fear not, dear readers: We're here to right this wrong. Allow us to introduce you to some places we think deserve to have made this list, the unsung heroes of late-night libations.

shifter

Billing itself as a “Farm to Bar” concept, shifter takes complex flavors from farm-sourced ingredients and turns them into easily sessionable cocktails. Although the menu changes regularly, some still available recommendations include the Tomato Bellini, Basil – which incorporates sweet and slightly punchy purple basil – and the Shiso. Also worth trying are their recently unveiled bar snacks.

shifter
South Gate, 1/F, Jinbao Hui Shopping Center, 88 Jinbao Jie
金宝街88号金宝汇购物中心1层南门旁
Hours: Daily, 2pm-2am
Contact: 153 0138 3942

CARBON

Although more of a restaurant than a proper cocktail bar, new kid on the Xingfucun block Carbon has some crazy drinks to choose from. Our favorite by far is the Pizza Margharita, which channels the flavors of Neapolitan tomato pie and puts it in drink form with pleasantly surprising results.

CARBON 汽水
6 Xili Jia, Xingfu Yicun, Chaoyang District
朝阳区幸福一村西里甲6号
Hours: Mon-Thurs & Sun, 6pm-1am; Fri-Sat, 6pm-2am

non-binary

Awarded best designed bar for North China in the DRiNK North Regional awards, non-binary’s brilliance goes beyond just design. The Andingmen bar above a beer bar makes insane science projects into drinks, mixing local flavors to create highballs that channel everything from roast Sichuan duck to blue cheese Mai Tais and more.

non-binary
2/F, 268 Andingmen Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区安定门内大街268号二层
Hours: Dail, 7pm-1.30am
Contact: 185 0053 9048

Black Hole

Part of The Factory in Gulou, Black Hole sits upstairs from the venue’s beer bar and comic book shop and features a simple, yet impressive, drinks selection. The riffs on classics like the Americano – theirs incorporates parmesan – and Rum Sour – which adds egg white with spiced liqueur and nutmeg atop for a fluffy summer sipper – are bar none. Bonus: they’ve got regular DJ events and a nice selection of vinyl to peruse while sipping.

Black Hole 黑穴
2/F, 135 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区鼓楼工厂鼓楼东大街135号
Hours: 11am-late
Contact: 186 0039 9582

Confidential

This Shuangjing speakeasy is hidden behind a fake barber shop in Pingguo Community. Once inside, songs by Steely Dan waft through the cozy wood paneled space. Grab a seat and grab a classic cocktail, or if you’re into whiskey, get a taste from their extensive menu. Our recommendation: an Old Fashioned followed by a wee dram or two.

Confidential
Courtyard 32, Beijing 22 International Art Plaza (just west of Plan B), Pingod Community, Chaoyang District
朝阳区苹果社区二十二院街艺术区32号院
Hours: Daily, 6pm-2am
Contact: 182 1057 7732; 138 3816 2979

Buona Bocca

Born eight years ago out of a love for fine Italian wines and food, Buona Bocca is a mainstay of the Sanlitun area, yet far enough away from the madness of Taikooli and Sanlitun SOHO to transport guests to Europe with its slick design, nice outdoor seating, and great food and drink. Beyond their list of 100 different wine labels and grape varieties from Italy, they’ve also got great cocktails as well, with a top recommendation being their Signature Cocktail, a take on the Basil Smash.

Buona Bocca
1/F, Bldg 4, South Area, Shoukai Bojun, Xingfu Sancun Sixian, Xindong Road
朝阳区新东路幸福三村四巷首开铂郡南区4号楼1层
Hours: 10.30am-00.30am
Contact: 010 5642 2236

Obstzimmer

From the folks that brought you MaoMaoChong, this place hidden in plain sight behind a rusted metal door on Jiaodaokou Nandajie is always packed. That being said, if you must wait to visit, it’s well worth your time. Expect artfully-designed cocktails with colorful flavors and garnishes inside an equally colorful space.

Obstzimmer
140-1 Jiaodaokou South Street, Dongcheng District
东城区交道口南大街140-1号

Bar Longfong

Bar Longfong, a hotel adjacent bar located on the first floor of the Park Plaza Hotel in Wangfujing, has always prided itself in using drinks to not only showcase their talent but to also let customers see their development and progress through their menus, with the newest – Simple Drink – having dropped just recently. Incorporating fresh ingredients and local spirits like baijiu and huangjiu, each drink is a mastery of the smooth yet complex, balanced perfectly for keen drinkers to savor.

Bar Longfong 廊房酒吧
1, 1/F, 97 Jinbao Jie (Behind Park Plaza Hotel), Chaoyang District
朝阳区金宝街97号一层1号(北京丽亭酒店后面)
Hours: Daily, 7pm-2am
Contact: 010 8517 5879

YAN Whisky Bar

Another whiskey bar, the Qianmen-based Yan Whisky can often be found on the DRiNK awards list, having won the prize for Best Whisky Menu in the DRiNK North Regional Awards last year. Hidden inside a converted hutong courtyard house along Yanjia Hutong (hence the name).

YAN Whisky Bar 燕家二号
2 Yanjia Hutong, Dashilan Xijie, Xicheng District
西城区大栅栏西街燕家胡同2号
Hours: Daily, 7pm-2am
Contact: 132 4026 7594

Tiki Bungalow

Beijing’s longest standing Tiki and rum bar might have moved around a lot during its 16 year tenure in the capital, but through and through it’s always been the place to go for quality rum rhapsodies in a classic Tiki bar atmosphere. Although all the classics from the Mai Tai to the Jet Pilot are on offer, the one to try is the potent Zombie, made with four rums, spices, and homemade falernum.

Tiki Bungalow & Cocktail Bar
46 Fangjia Hutong (entrance behind building to left of Peiping Machine), Dongcheng District
东城区方家胡同46号
Hours: 7pm-2am (Mon-Thurs & Sun); 7pm-3.30am (Fri-Sat)
Contact: 131 4101 5937

Do we vouch for these being amongst Asia’s 100 Best? We unequivocally do – what do you think? Do any of your favorite Beijing bars deserve a spot in Asia’s 100? Let us know in the comments below.

READ: New Cocktail & Bar Food Menus to Try Today

Images: Unsplash, Uni You, TheBeijingers, courtesy of the venues, Dianping