Jazz-Ya Celebrates an Incredible 24 Years in Volatile Sanlitun Location

Despite the almost constant upheaval and turnover that has gone on all around it, Japanese bar/restaurant Jazz-Ya has survived a stunning 24 years in its hidden Sanlitun location, a feat that it is celebrating this week with a dinner party and specials.

Whether by design or luck, Jazz-Ya has managed to stay in the eye of the development storm that has strafed countless Beijing F&B businesses around it.

It was here before Beijing won its Olympic bid in 2001.

It was here before Taikoo Li took over the west side of the street.

It was here when the south side of Sanlitun was not a big Soho, but the legendary bar street of old.

It was here to see the plot of land across the alley from it razed, rebuilt with a six-story building that was never inhabited, and razed again to leave the empty lot that stands there today.

It's been here longer than the crustiest of expat lifers.

Hell, it's been here long enough to witness a full 40 percent of the entire history of the People's Republic of China!

While it doesn't hold a huge spot in expats’ hearts these days, way back in the early 2000s it was an oasis, providing not only decent Japanese food when there were few other choices, but also pizzas and burgers at a time long before the orgy of selection that is available now. Its weekend brunches were boozy and long, and the go-to spot for expats to gather and trade morning-after stories of their Sanlitun debauchery the night before.

To celebrate their almost-quarter-century anniversary, Jazz-Ya are putting on a special dinner this Wednesday, May 15 from 7pm to 10pm. The RMB 218 entrance (sold at the door) will get you a bevy of their Japanese fusion foods (sashimi, sushi, steak) as well as free-flow of wine, bubbly, long island ice teas, and mojitos. They'll also be having discounts all week through May 18, where you'll get RMB 24 in credit for every RMB 100 you spend, and second drinks are half price.

As long as there's Jazz-Ya, there's hope for Beijing's tumultuous F&B scene.

This city changes fast. Stay up to date with Beijing's latest openings and closings, right here.

Images: Michael Wester, Jazz-Ya