Hanabi Shot Bar 花火

Once you’ve spotted the Ruichang Huiguan (瑞昌会馆) sign from Chaoyang Beilu, only seconds separate you from this tiny Japanese-run whiskey bar. Ten stools line the 6m-long bar, which gives way to a secluded back room seating around eight. Cool and quiet, Hanabi is illuminated by amber shades of whiskey from Scotland, North America and Japan. The stock of single malts (from RMB 55/glass, RMB 600/bottle) includes an admirable selection of deliciously smoky Islay whiskies like Caol Ila (RMB 70) and Japan’s 17-year old Suntory Hibiki (RMB 90). Cocktails run at RMB 45, beers are RMB 30 and there’s a selection of snacks including chocolate, nuts and sausages (RMB 25-50).