High Velocity: A New York Wine Bar In Beijing

Beijing finally has a proper New York wine bar. Bar Veloce has opened its first location outside of the Big Apple; Leon Lee (of Apothecary) is overseeing the food and Krishna Hathaway (formerly of Aman at the Summer Palace) is the sommelier. There are elements of the New York minimalist design but that’s where the pretension ends. Bar Veloce’s no-nonsense approach to sharing wine and Italian food is its biggest strength.

Wine is all too often unapproachable for the layman but Veloce’s half pours (from RMB 25) allow you to sample Hathaway’s daring list. For those who do not like wine, Bar Veloce is accommodating in a way that other wine bars seldom are – there’s beer and Lee’s trademark quality cocktails. Paninis (RMB 25-40), bruschetta (RMB 20-35), salads and platters offer something affordable to chew on as you mull the wine list.

Attention to detail is evident in everything from the fact that they marinate their own olives, have installed a meat slicer or spent an age sourcing the best mozzarella. So maybe wine’s not for you – but there’s no better place than here to find that out.

Also try: Enoterra, Carmen

Bar Veloce Thu-Sun 6pm-late. Courtyard 4 (opposite west entrance of 1949–The Hidden City), Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6586 1006) 朝阳区工体北路4号院1949西门对面 800m west of Tuanjiehu station (Line 10)

Click here to see the Beijinger July issue in full.

Photo: Mitchell Pe Masilun