Former Q Bar Site to Re-Open Under Original Partner George Zhou

After quietly closing in November 2014, it looks like the former site of Q Bar will be getting a new life under original partner George Zhou, Jim "Beijing" Boyce reported on his Facebook page Sunday.

"George Zhou, one of the original founders, and a team of investors are revamping the bar and rooftop and working on a cocktail menu with prices closer to 2005 than 2015," Boyce wrote.

Although it will not be called Q Bar, renovations for the Eastern Inn rooftop location are underway, Boyce wrote.

Placed under new management in April 2014, the former the Beijinger Reader Bar and Club Awards Bar of the Year winner closed in November.

Founded by former First Cafe bartenders Zhou and Echo Sun, Q Bar's spot south of Sanlitun Bar Street quickly earned a reputation for fine cocktails made with painstaking care.

Q Bar pulled in our Best Cocktails award in 2007 before ascending to the top in 2008 with Bar of the Year to add to their Best Cocktail awards. Zhou was named Best Bartender in 2009 before departing to open George's at the Workers' Stadium, and Touch in Courtyard Four (which later closed). George's will continue to operate, Boyce wrote.

Q Bar in recent years remained a highlight on Beijing's cocktail circuit, but with George gone and Echo spending more of her time on bigger projects, the bar no longer could rely on the talents of the two mixmasters that its reputation had been built on.

Fans of Q Bar may miss the location, but its owners are still involved with Q Mex, which has earned a reputation of its own with its authentic Mexican food menu and list of impressive cocktails.

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Photo courtesy of Q Bar