Music Stores, Instruments and Education

This is the third incarnation of the infamous tattoo shop/hair salon/bar/club (which was formerly housed in Gulou and Zhangzizhonglu). This time around, folks can expect all the same creative treats they've come to expect from Baby Boom, as well a couple of new additions including an exclusive record store called Porco Disco, and a kitchen manned by none other than Side Street, which will be slinging three of the burger master's normal menu items, as well as an exclusive grilled cheese menu dreamt up specifically for these digs.

A small basement practice space and instrument shop selling Passtore brand guitars and effects pedals that is operated by the members of Beijing's post-rock group She Never Sings Our Songs (SNSOS).

Li-Pi has been keeping the vinyl lovers community in great music since 2008. Their large and well-stocked 798 store is filled with almost every conceivable musical genre, the aroma of coffee beans drifting from their coffee machine, and a small range of record players and other devices that are produced by the shop itself. 

Store selling knick-knacks, vintage clothes, and records on Gulou Dongdajie, as well as a venue for small folk, electronic, and experimental shows.

Once tucked away near Dongsi Subway, Fruityshop has moved out east, securing a larger venue near to Chaoyang Joy City. However, the core experience remains the same: beers, a wooden interior, friendly staff, and of course, lots of vinyl make this place an inviting hangout irrespective of whether you're looking for a hidden gem or just want to kick back.

Walking up the stairs from an underground warehouse filled with authentic, brand-name drums, guitars, and musical equipment. GuGu123 is a world-class music store, the first of its kind in Beijing. Here’s the breakdown of what’s on offer.

Real guitars and basses, straight from the distributor, this includes Fender, Gibson, Schecter and Warwick.

Brand name amps such as Peavey, Fender and Orange.

Aisles loaded with effects pedals and guitar accessories.

Toning Drum supplies hand percussion instruments and music education material. Instruments on sale include African djembe, dunun, Latin percussion instruments, conga, bongo, shakers, and timbale. For young children, there’s the Early Music Makers brand of percussion instruments. Toning Drum carries two bilingual Chinese/English music curriculum books for Latin and African instruments. To find out more, visit Toning Drum’s trade show by appointment. Wholesale prices are available for schools.

Cheerfully blasting music out into the street, this store features great collections of rock, jazz, and metal, including a range of foreign imports that one doesn't find elsewhere, though prices aren’t cheap (most range RMB 45-120). Chinese rock is also well represented. The staff of hip, buff Beijingers, are friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help you find that perfect CD to match your tastes.

The store specializes in Ibanez guitars and basses (RMB 1,000 – 30,000) and also carries some amps and effects pedals (RMB 500 plus).

A tiny shop run by drummer Li Ming (of Brit-pop act No Fish) with a great selection of new and used effects pedals, snare drums, Mapex drum kits, a smattering of guitars and basses and a rehearsal space in the back closet/room.