Beixinqiao Cocktail Bars Worth Checking Out

In a continuation of our series on the city’s cocktail bars – starting with a look at Gulou cocktail bars followed by a few more – we now move outward into the rest of the city. This begins with a step eastward, into Beixinqiao.

Beixinqiao is characterized by its densely populated streetsides and many restaurants and shops, and the area's cocktail bars highlighted here are generally small but bursting with character. Plus, due to their size, many offer seating streetside, which, coupled with later hours, makes the area great for late night outdoor bar hopping (or indoors, if one can fit). 

Aurora

Sharing a space with MPlus Coffee just off the main Beixinqiao drag is this cute cocktail bar. The bright interior plays into the menu here, which leans heavily on light yet inventive sours, with interesting flavor combos like the Juvenile Tour (RMB 88), in which kiwi vodka dances with honey, lemon, and green tea; and the Southern French Holidays (RMB 88), in which slow-cooked jasmine gin is combined with elderberry liqueur, lemon, and tonic for an interesting G&T twist.

Bonus, they’ve got an art gallery upstairs, so you can enjoy a drink while enjoying some art at the same time.

Aurora Whiskey & Cocktail
7 Banqiao Nanxiang, Dongcheng District (inside People’s Art & Culture Park)
东城区板桥南巷7号院人民美术文化园内
Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun, 6.30pm-1am; Fri-Sat, 6.30pm-2am
Contact: 157 2663 3031

Bar Flavour

One of the more creative bars on this list, Bar Flavour promises a true flavor journey with their drinks. Highlights include the Life is Beautiful (RMB 75/glass, RMB 138/280ml bottle), made with gin and Campari with some added grape and lime; and the very intriguing Morning, Beijing (RMB 85/glass, RMB 198/280ml bottle), in which sesame peanut sauce whiskey joins Shaoxing wine, walnut kernel, pistachio, and lemon.

As suggested by the prices, most cocktails on the menu can be taken away by the bottle.

Bar Flavour
05, Bldg 57, Block F, 1/F, 107 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街107号57幢F座1层05室
Hours: Daily, 7pm-2am
Contact: 

Margarita

Despite being just a small closet of a space, Margarita packs a beer bar, cocktail bar, and liquor shop all into one on Dongsi Beidajie. They mix up a decent Old Fashioned, as well as a fantastic Margarita. Not only is the drinks menu simple – split between easy mixes and classic cocktails – but the prices are great as well, with drinks starting at RMB 55 with nightly BOGO on offer.

Margarita
125 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街125号
Hours: Daily, 1pm-3am
Contact: 138 0137 7000

Golden Weasel

Right next to Margarita, inside self coffee, sits Golden Weasel, which recently relocated from its Huayuan Hutong haunt to Beixinqiao. Weasel’s drinks menu has been pared down a bit following the move, but they’ve added a few new fast favorites to their repertoire.

These include the Weasel Spritz (RMB 68), a refreshing mix of Campari and limoncello topped with soda, and, utilizing beans from self, the Silk Coffee Negroni (RMB 78), a take on the Awakened Negroni made with vermouth-brewed espresso and Shanghai craft gin Julu Silk Road Gin for a smooth, coffee- and chocolate-laced take on the classic.

Golden Weasel 醉鼠酒吧
125 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District (inside self coffee)
东城区东四北大街125号
Hours: Tue-Sun, 7pm-midnight

READ: A Few More Hutong Bars Worth Their Mixology Salt

Images: Uni You, The Beijingers