2023 Year-in-Review: Places That Reopened 

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Jan 2, 2024 4:25 pm | Add a comment | 381 reads

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 can’t stop saying what a great year 2023 was in Beijing for new openings and to finish things off, our final 2023 Year-in-Review post is going to look at places that reopened in the capital. If you want to check out our other 2023 Year-in-Review, just follow the links below:

Katchup Reopens in Houhai

After closing for renovations in late 2022, Katchup reopened at a new location in summer last year. The new spot is located just by the east entrance to Houhai and inside they’ve gone full ketchup theme with red, yellow and blue Heinz-style ketchup bottles lining the walls. They’ve got their usual burger offerings that we’ve come to know and love like The Bacon Cheese (RMB 78), topped with crispy bacon and Katchup’s signature beef patties topped with cheese, as well as other dishes such as Barbecued Pork Rib (RMB 168) or Classic Reuben Sandwich (RMB 78).

Katchup
23 Di’anmenwai Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区地安门外大街23号
Hours: 11am-10.30pm
Phone: 137 0137 1116

Martini Reopens With Two New Locations

One of the casualties of the closure of Nali Patio, Martini wasn’t down and out for long, opening up Martini Kitchen & Bistro over summer and then Martini Bar JD78 in December. The former is located in Huamao, initially named Martini Garden, it’s now been renamed in what appears to be a move towards more of a restaurant focused establishment. It features a big garden area complete with outside bar and plenty of seating to enjoy during those warmer months. They serve up an Italian menu with a range of pasta, pizza and appetizers. 

Martini Bar JD78 is located in Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4 and has much more of a club vibe than Martini Garden. It boasts a large space broken up into a variety of different seating areas with a large bar in the center, all lit up in a blue and purple hue of neon lights. 

MARTINI意厨KITCHEN&BISTRO(华贸北区店) 
1/F, South Side, Huamao North District Bldg 19, 89 Jianguo Lu
朝阳区建国路89号华贸北区19号楼一层南侧
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11-2am
Phone: 010 8595 0618

Martini Bar JD78
78, Courtyard No. 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路4号院78号楼
Hours: 7pm-5am
Phone: 186 1136 6354

Swing58 Reopens on Xindonglu 

Formerly located on Sanlitun Bar Street, which closed at the start of 2023, Swing58 soon found new digs on Xindonglu. It seems to have kept much of the same formula as its previous location, serving up a variety of cocktails, beer and food all accompanied by regular live music shows. Inside, naked brick walls give it a kind of rustic feel and it has a terrace area out front which is a nice new addition for the bar. 

Swing58
Underground Square, Courtyard 12 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新东路12号院地下下沉广场(布瑞林洗护楼下)
Hours: Tues-Sun, 6.30pm-4am
Phone: 185 1004 1816

Mosto Reopens in Mix 岛

Another of Nali Patio’s former residents, Mosto found itself a new home in the Mix岛 complex where it joins the likes of other new spots like Blue Ark x D.A.O. Coffee. Here they’ve kept the menu largely the same with their twists on South American dishes, along with fan favorites like their Lasagna (RMB 128). It has a chic interior with plenty of natural light, plants, central bar and come summer a great outdoor terrace area. 

Mosto
Room 103, Block 1, 9 Jia Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区农展南路甲9号1幢1层103室
Hours: Sun-Thu 11.30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-10.30pm
Phone: 138 1132 5451

Bottega Reopens Second Branch in the CBD

Bottega still had their JinShang Yuan location when Nali Patio shut this past summer, but not ones to keep to a single location, the pizzeria opened a second new location back in October last year in Zhongjun World City, right next door to Q MEX. The opening coincided with the launch of a brand new Bottega menu full of Naples classics including, of course their Neapolitan pizzas, which saw them being named 8th best in the Top 50 Pizza of the World list 2023. Some personal recommendations from us are the Diavola (RMB 99), Tartufata (RMB 159) and Fortunata (RMB 109). 

Bottega (CBD Branch)
Unit. E116B, E118, 101, Bldg E Zhongjun World City, 8 Jinhui Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区金汇路中骏世界城E座1层101内E116B、E118单元
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 010 6591 5348

The Local Reopens After Major Refurbishments

Sanlitun spot The Local closed last year for a little over a month to undergo some major refurbishments. When it reopened it had a whole brand new ultra swish look with a fresh white, orange and mint green color scheme, parquet flooring and decorative white and green tiles on the downstairs terrace and upstairs balcony. The new look was accompanied by a new menu as well as new regular daily deals such as Monday Steak Night – order any steak and receive a complimentary side of your choice, a glass of house red or white wine, and small dessert; and Taco Tuesdays – all tacos are RMB 18. 

The Local Bar & Grill
1/F, 101, Southeast of Zone E, Bldg 80, Courtyard No. 4, Gongti Beilu
朝阳区工体北路4号院80号楼E区东南侧第一间101一层
Hours: Daily, 11am-2am
Phone: 6591 9525, 13488804794

READ: 2023 Year-in-Review: Places That Opened New Branches

Images: Uni You, Dianping, courtesy of the venues