Loosen Your Tie with the CBD Set: Guomao Bar Hop
As the holiday season winds down, get ready to return to your regular office routine. But don’t let the winter blues get to you – turn off your computer and roll up your sleeves, because there are many fun CBD bars out there waiting for you to explore and enjoy.
Cool down from your hard day’s work by hitting up Beijing’s secluded gem, Ichikura (second-floor entrance via stairs at south wall of Chaoyang Theater, 36 DongsanhuanBeilu | 东三环北路36号朝阳剧场南侧). Don’t be fooled by the bar’s tiny space – Ichikura’s whiskey selection is one of the finest available in town. Having Ichikura’s bartender skillfully perfect your drink is a treat in itself. Watching performance art that you can sip minutes later is exactly how you want to wrap up your working day and kick off your weeknight. The next thing you know, you’ll be keeping a bottle of your own behind the bar. There’s no need to sweat if you are not a whiskey connoisseur – the devoted bartender is always happy to give you a suggestion or two.
If Ichikura is out of your way, or if you are also looking to grab a bite to eat, try G-Zou (1/F, Bldg C, east side of Sunshine 100, 2 Guanghua Lu | 光华路2号阳光100东侧C座1层) instead. Like Ichikura, this small but solid bar is not to be missed. G-Zou’s specialty lies in Japanese spirits like shochu – a distilled beverage that’s weaker than whiskey but stronger than wine – hence the place’s popularity among Japanese professionals. Don’t forget to cushion an extra RMB 40 as a cover charge, but the excellent service and quality drinks will guarantee you’ll return. Perhaps the coldest draft beer in Beijing is served in small ceramic glasses at RMB 10 a pop.
Make your way over to the Kerry Centre and join the rest of the professional crowd at Centro (1/F, Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu | 光华路1号嘉里中心饭店1层) where you will most likely meet a familiar face or two amidst Beijing’s A-listers – be sure to look sharp. Centro’s delicious martinis come in generous proportions and certainly should not be missed. Other cocktails are also nicely done, and even more enjoyable during happy hour (every day 5-8pm; buy one glass, get one free). 15% service charge applies.
Pick up your pace and head to Beijing’s highest bar, Atmosphere (80/F, China World Summit Wing, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie | 建国门外大街1号北京国贸大酒店80层). You might need a moment or two to take in the panoramic Beijing skyline. Remember how there are mountains bordering Beijing to the west? This may be your chance to spot them, especially on a clear night. But the breathtaking view is not Atmosphere’s only selling point – over 300 cocktails (starting at RMB 65) are carefully crafted by mixologist Serhan “Charly” Kusagsizoglu, and an impressive wine selection (RMB 42 a glass) has been put together by former Maison Boulud sommelier Koen Masschelein, making Atmosphere an undoubted winner. If you want to put on that outfit you’ve been dying to wear, this is the place.
Wrap up your night at Twilight (behind Starbucks, 3/F, 0102, Bldg 5, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu | 东三环中路39号建外Soho5号0102单元3层). Apothecary co-owner Daisuke Onishi is also one of the men behind Twilight, bringing quality cocktails to the CBD for those of you who can’t make it to Sanlitun on weeknights. Under Onishi’s direction, one can be sure that Twilight’s cocktails are done to perfection. The drinks aren’t cheap, ranging between RMB 60-80, but they reflect the creativity and effort that go into them. If you are serious about cocktails, you might consider heading over before 8pm to catch the last round of happy hour, allowing you to enjoy cocktails at RMB 20 off. Elegant, minimalist décor and smooth jazz tunes will keep you satisfied for the rest of your night.
