Celtic Tiger: Paddy's Pops Up in Tongli Studio

After years of successfully fending off all comers who challenged its status as the city’s champion sports bar, Paddy’s has now made the move into another weight class. Like a cruiserweight stepping up to his first heavyweight bout, Paddy’s has beefed up as it graduates from Sanlitun satellite Dongzhimen to the comparative lion’s den of Tongli Studio.

Many have had a go at that second-story space and failed – not least its immediate predecessor, Bourbon, who lasted mere weeks in the bear pit. Recognizing the challenge of attracting the Sanlitun Houjie set, they’ve scaled back on the live sport aspect that has served the franchise so well (though they still boast three large TVs), instead attempting to craft a standing as a live music venue. Sensing that their new clientele might need more than the hurling finals and a pint of stout to make them stick around, they’ve incorporated a large stage area and a high-spec sound system at the back of the sizable room, and plan to host regular live acts.

There are some recognizable Paddy’s features that have transferred over Xindong Lu – a premium-priced Guinness (RMB 55) and RMB 30 Carlsberg among them, as well as the daily buy-one-get-one-free happy hour (3-8pm). There’ll also be a new food menu focusing on pub grub.

Incongruous as it might sometimes seem, Sanlitun is still Beijing’s glamour spot, though at times it’s more gangland than it is Gangnam. If we can expect anything from Paddy’s, it’s the convivial atmosphere that made O’Shea’s so popular, and that has often been in short supply around Sanlitun Houjie.

Also try: Paddy O’Shea’s, Cheers

Paddy ’s Irish Bar
Daily 4pm-late. 2/F, Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District (6415 0299)
朝阳区三里屯北后街同里大厦2层

By subway: 1km northwest of Tuanjiehu station (Line 10)

Photos: Mitchell Masilun