Sip by the Water: Beijing’s Finest Lakeside Libations
Treat yourself to a sense of fresh air, tranquility and escape from the city in these long hot Beijing summer nights. With this rundown of the best lakeside bars in town, sit back and sip by the water.
Water Bar and Restaurant
Located right on the lakeside of Solana’s bar street, Water boasts strong drinks at a reasonable price, as well as an affordable set menu (RMB 78) of fish or steak that includes salad, vegetable, potato, appetizer and wine, among other of-ferings.
Daily 10am–2am. 15-4, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6008/9, 137 0113 1533) 子水，朝阳区朝阳公园西路6号蓝色港湾国际商区15-4
Lantung
This three-floor bar/lounge/restaurant provides a laid-back, breezy setting for relaxation. Owned by the same team behind Lotus Blue in Houhai, this plush Solana bar with a large lakeside seating area and a menu of tantalizing Thai tapas is ideal for enjoying a lakeside lounge. Drinks include infused vodkas (RMB 110 for a bottle of your own to take home) used to make their signature fruity cocktails.
Daily 10.30am-2am. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6213) 兰棠,朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区
East Shore Live Jazz Cafe
Opened in July 2006 by legendary jazzman Liu Yuan – the ex-manager of CD Jazz Cafe – the East Shore Live Jazz Cafe is comfortable, has an authentic feel and, as its name suggests, is fully devoted to music, playing host to live bands from Thursday to Sunday. The floors to ceiling windows give a good view of Houhai and a good excuse to while away some time down by the water.
Daily 3pm-2am. 2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyanlu (just to the west of the post office on Di’anmenwai Dajie), Xicheng District. (8403 2131) 西城区地安门外大街前海南沿2号楼2层
8gua
Bagua means “to gossip,” and this quiet, inviting bar with comfortable sofas, a tasteful Chinese-style decor, small, semi-private, curtained-off rooms and views of both the lake and the bustle around its banks might be a swell spot to recline and share the latest news with your friends.
Daily 2pm-4am. 6C Houhai Ya’er Hutong, Xicheng District. (6401 8080) 8 卦,西城区后海北沿鸦儿胡同后丙6号
15 Qianhai Beiyan
Sheltered from the neighborhood’s pedestrian and vehicular traffic with good views of the lake from both the indoor and outdoor seating areas, this upscale establishment offers Beijingers a fine place to contemplate the Qianhai waters and the bustle of Lotus Lane over a cocktail or glass of wine.
Daily 6pm-midnight. 15 Qianhai Beiyan, Xicheng District. (6617 5558) 西城区前海北沿15号
Tao Yao Bar
Tao Yao is a tranquil, Tibetan-themed bar located behind a small park on the south shore if Houhai, with a traditional Chinese atmosphere offering an escape from the neon bustle of the area’s main drag. Serves beers, cocktails and Tibetan milk tea. The party here cranks up on Friday nights with all you can drink deals and the appearance of resident DJ Owally.
Daily 1pm-midnight. Beiguanfang Hutong (southwest of Houhai Nanyan, 300m west of Yinding Bridge), Xicheng District. (8322 8585) 桃之夭夭,西城区后海南沿北官房胡同（后海南沿银锭桥西300米）
Invito
Great place to head for a wind-down. With a top floor offering Tuscan dining and a stunning waterside rooftop terrace, this stylish Italian restaurant also serves organic sandwiches and desserts on the first floor. Standard drinks are buy-one-get-one-free during the daily happy hour in the chic lounge bar (5-9pm). Two Enomatic machines mean that even the most expensive bottles can be served by the glass.
Daily 10am-10.30pm. 15-2, Solana Shopping Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang (5905 6906) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区 15-2
Zoom Club
Formerly Houhai Zoo, this football bar has a selection of forty shots on offer, as well as a range of beers, including a homemade brew, all from RMB 10, while cocktails start at RMB 20. Zoom offers a pleasant balcony view of the neon termite mound that Houhai has become and shows English Premier League matches.
Daily 3pm-late. Bldg 2 Qianhai Nanyan, Xicheng District. (6400 9906) 西城区前海南沿2号小楼一层
No Name Bar
The first bar to appear on Houhai’s shores boasts a comfortable layout featuring wicker seating, tropical plants, tasteful art and a relatively eclectic soundtrack, along with lake views through the big windows and moderately priced coffees and drinks.
Daily noon-2am. 3 Qianhai Dongyan (next to Kaorou Ji restaurant), Xicheng District. (6401 8541) 西城区前海东沿3号 烤肉季隔壁
Nuage
This award-winning three-storey Vietnamese restaurant is undeniably on the pricier side, but its chic French colonial atmosphere on the banks of Houhai make it a time-honored favorite. Attractions include the jazz club housed in the basement, and a very good value daily brunch from RMB 75 per person, with free flow Chilean wines and local beer for an additional RMB 100.
Daily 11am-11pm. 22 Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District. (6401 9581) 庆云楼,西城区前海东沿22号
