Great Pub Grub: Where to satisfy an appetite on the sauce

Feeling peckish while boozing – a phenomenon known as the “drunken munchies” or the “munchkin drunkies” – is an inevitable part of a great night out. The following bars offer delicious late night nibbles to pair with your chosen poison or to help you thwart the next morning’s hangover.

Apothecary
This boutique bar in Nali Patio serves vintage American cocktails like Sidecars and Algonquins accompanied by contemporary Creole cuisine – i.e. duck, pork and okra gumbo. The theme here is homemade; from the bitters, olives and syrups that flavor the drinks, to the mustard and mayonnaise that seasons the food. Apothecary also cures its own ham, bacon and sausage. Current specials include whey-poached fried chicken with biscuits and coleslaw on Sundays (half chicken/RMB 100, whole/RMB 200), and Tazmanian oysters on Wednesdays (six/RMB 100) with lemons, house-made cocktail and apple vinegar sauce.
Tue-Sun 6pm-late. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5208 6040) 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园3层

Aperitivo
Boasts a faithful Europhile crowd thanks to its shrub-lined patio, continental atmosphere and Italian-themed drinks menu. Pair a glass of wine or the infamous “Aperitivo cocktail” (white wine, tonic and flavoring, RMB 38) with the specialty bruschetta (RMB 18-25) or a calzone sandwich (RMB 22).
Daily 10am-late. 43 Sanlitun Houjie (next to Tongli Studio), Chaoyang District. (6417 7793) 朝阳区三里屯后街43号同里旁边

The Den
A stalwart for expats and out-of-towners, The Den offers a convivial atmosphere to grab a pint, take in a variety of sports matches on their many television screens and try their hearty grub. One of the best happy hour deals in town offers 1/2 price pizza and drinks for five prime time evening hours daily (5-10pm). Along with a decent menu of Western and Asian food, and brunch on weekends, The Den is great for late-night refueling or an early morning breakfast.
Daily 24hrs. 4 Gongti Donglu (next to City Hotel’s main entrance), Chaoyang District. (6592 6290) 朝阳区工体东路4号城市宾馆正门旁边

Ginkgo Cafe & Bar
Supplies cozy, unpretentious French food with a southern Mediterranean accent, a small, well-chosen wine list with a drinkable house wine for RMB 90, and regular live music ranging from afrobeats to rhythm and blues. This airy, elegant two-floor venue houses a restaurant upstairs with a bar on the ground floor. The ample bar menu runs until 2am, offering all kinds of tasty nosh, from gourmet pizza and paninis to succulent skewers and pot stickers.
Restaurant: Daily 10.30am-3pm, 6-10.30pm. Bar: Daily 1.30am-late.199 Andingmen Da Jie, Dongcheng District. (6402 7532) 东城区安定门内大街199号

Lantung
This three-floor bar, lounge and restaurant is a breezy retreat for spicy “Thai tapas.” The barbecue shrimp and pineapple skewers (RMB55) pair well with the pineapple-infused vodka and mint cocktail (RMB50), while the hot and sour beef spring rolls (RMB 55) couples nicely with the cinnamon-infused vodka and fresh apple juice cocktail (RMB 50).
Daily 10.30am-2am. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6213) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区

Luga’s Villa
A great spot for a punched-up margarita (RMB 50) and Mexican food, Luga’s Villa serves enchiladas (RMB 45) and packed burritos (RMB 45-50) with handmade corn tortillas. They also do beans, rice, fajitas and a fiery range of salsas. Happy hour runs daily 11am-8pm.
Daily 11am-2am. 7 Sanlitun Beijie (behind 3.3 Shopping Center), Chaoyang District. (6416 2575) 朝阳区三里屯北街7号3.3购物中心后

Paddy O’Shea’s
Fish and Chips. Bangers and Mash. Knock it all back with Guinness on draft. Paddy O’Shea’s brings an authentic Irish pub feel to Beijing. Irish favorites like Jameson (RMB 35) and Kilkenny (RMB 50) are on offer, along with traditional pub fare.
Daily 10am-late. 28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6415 6389) 朝阳区东直门外大街28号

Scarlett
The chic wine bar attached to Hotel G offers European fare with simple choices like grilled salmon, roasted lamb chop and mussels, as well as a large selection of cheese, cold cuts and the popular Spanish tapas. Rotating weekly promotions are also a draw – i.e. “Cheese Goes with Wine” on Tuesdays (where you a 5-cheese platter for free with any purchase of a bottle of wine) and RMB 88 all-you-can-eat tapas on Thursdays.
Daily 6pm-3am. Hotel G, 7A Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6552 2880) 朝阳区工体西路甲7号北京极栈内

The Tree
Enjoy The Tree’s popular oven-baked thin-crust pies, and wash everything down with a Belgian beer, like Hoegaarden or De Konick. Daily noon-2am.
43 Sanlitun Beijie (100m west of Sanlitun North Bar street, Youyi Youth Hostel, behind Poachers Inn), Chaoyang District. (6415 1954) 朝阳区三里屯北街以西100米Poachers后面三里屯医院旁 朝阳区