Don’t Pass the Bar: Beijing’s Bars Provide Tasty Alternatives to Dinner
What would we do without bar food, that wonderful bridging point between happy hour and dinner, that last bastion against tipsiness? Thankfully, Beijing’s bars are more than happy to oblige in this regard, supplying everything from classic deep-fried snacks to Chinese-inspired dishes, some so good that the drinks become little more than an afterthought.
For your reference, these are the qualities we are looking for in a great bar snack are: saltiness (a given), spice, and shareability.
Beer-Battered Fried Chicken (RMB 35), Great Leap Brewing #12 Brewpub
Our favorite fried chicken not just among Beijing bars, but in Beijing, period. The use of chicken thigh instead of breast keeps the meat juicy within the crisp coating and the secret recipe piquant green dipping sauce is a revelation. Also available at Great Leap’s #45 Brewpub in Sanyuanqiao.
Fried pickles (RMB 45), Home Plate BBQ
One of those dishes that sounds like it shouldn’t work but totally does. Biting into each slice yields a crisp seasoned coating, followed by a burst of sour pickle juice. Definitely a leader in the field of “shove in your face by the handful” snacks.
Yunnan Mushroom and Truffle Pizza (RMB 68), Xian
XIAN may be famous for its whiskey collection and live band, but its thin and crispy pizzas are also a pretty good excuse to hustle yourself out to Jiuxianqiao. The pizzas are uniformly tasty, but for something a bit different try the one topped with Yunnan mushrooms and truffle oil.
Mala Popcorn Chicken (RMB 35), Jing-A Brewing Co.
It’s no accident that there are quite a few spicy dishes on this list – there’s just something about a cold drink in your hand that makes you crave spicy or salty food. Jing-A capitalizes on this with their succulent morsels of fried chicken, given a twist with the use of Sichuan peppercorns.
The Fryburger (RMB 50), Slow Boat Brewery Taproom
You know what’s better than a burger and fries? Putting the fries in the burger. This is what the geniuses at Slow Boat Brewery Taproom did and we’d be surprised if it wasn’t this innovation that netted them the top spot in the Beijinger 2015 Burger Cup. Slightly bigger than some of the other bar foods on this list but all the more satisfying for it.
Angry Buffalo Shrimp (RMB 55), The Local
These shrimp will leave you feeling anything but angry. Doused in the same spicy sauce that makes The Local’s wings so popular, and served with blue cheese dip, these crispy morsels are the perfect partner for a frosty pint or to anchor the alcohol content of a Bourbon Street Iced Tea.
Chicken Tenders (RMB 52), Union Bar and Grille
We’re big fans of Union’s simple American grub so it’s no surprise that they do a dish like chicken tender with aplomb. The bites are crispy on the outside but still juicy on the inside. You’ll probably need several plates to get through Union’s all-day happy hour on Tuesdays. We do wish they’d bring back their free crisps though.
Sliders (RMB 80), Mei, Rosewood Beijing
MEI’s bar menu is as upscale as the bar itself, incorporating influences from Europe and the Mediterranean. We particularly love the sliders (so much more chichi than regular burgers), which come in two flavor combinations: braised oxtail, enoki mushrooms, and cheddar, and spicy pulled pork and kimchi.
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Photos: Joey Guo
