Booze News: New Menu and a Bar Worth Visiting

Vincent R. Vinci, Contributing Editor | Jan 1, 2025 5:30 pm | Add a comment | 128 reads

As we head into the New Year, we take a look at a new menu and a new bar worth checking out before or after 2025 hits.

New Drinks Make Their Debut at Mona Bar

Mona Bar ends what looks to have been a good year on a high note with the release of a new menu. A quick perusing of the options is enough to see the drinks are moving in a more agave spirits-forward direction thanks in part to the bar sharing space with Pebbles Courtyard.

This point is proven with drinks like the Viva la Vida (RMB 85), a mix of tequila, chargrilled bell pepper, pungent litse fruit, lime and chipotle; and the vibrant Amaranta (RMB 80), with mezcal, pineapple, cucumber, lime, and simple syrup. It’s not all agave, though, with the bar rolling out drinks like the Hutong Sour (RMB 80), which sees hawthorn-infused whiskey combined with purple perilla liqueur, lemon, and soda.

Mona Bar
74 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区五道营胡同74号
Hours: Tue-Sun, 7pm-1.30am

Dili Pala Continues Cocktail Bar Legacy on Huayuan Hutong

First nugget brought its purple-hued space and creative drinks, then Golden Weasel came with warm yellow light and homey vibes, and now Dili Pala, a self-described “witches’ bar” with ambient music, art-filled walls, and an almost naturalistic feel has taken over the space at 8 Huayuan Hutong, bringing with it good drinks to boot.

The bar takes its name from the names of its two founders, "Di" and "Li," who both worked at a Japanese-style cocktail bar in university before eventually opening this space, and the word “pala,” which sounds like magic. For those who visited during the days of nugget and Golden Weasel, Dili Pala will also feel different thanks to an expanded floor area. Gone is the kitchen that stood behind a door to the left of the bar; it’s since been gutted and opened up to make room for a nicer lounge-like seating area.

All in all, the space keeps things chill yet with little hints of vibrancy here and there. This is especially true in the drinks, which combine all kinds of diverse flavors while maintaining a sense of balance. Case in point is the Yes! Mama (RMB 80, pictured in lead and gif below), a mix of rose, tea, spices, and a heavy dose of booze.

This is joined by the Drinker (酒徒 jiǔtú, RMB 90), in which punchy gin and smokey mezcal are joined by elderberry and starfruit for a strong yet surprisingly smooth concoction in which all the parts get their time to shine.