First Glance: Fang, Fangjia Hutong

Gulou entrepreneurship has been flourishing since summer started, and has most recently brought new cocktail bar Fang to an already buzzing Fangjia hutong.
 

Located directly next to El Nido with a small surrounding bamboo entrance and garden, the bar doesn't feel like you're in a noisy Fangjia Hutong bar, like many of its neighbors, nor will you realize when there's inevitably a huge Audi squeezing past a recycling sanlunche only 10 meters away. And it is in this oasis of calm that you've got to take on the difficult task of choosing from their innovative and appealing menu, based on the character of different Chinese regions. Many of their drinks have ingredients sourced locally from the Gulou area, supporting community businesses.
 

The drinks we had were all well-balanced. The pink opium (RMB 65) made with Hayman's London Dry and Sloe gins with fresh ruby grapefruit and lime and lemongrass syrup was fresh: the grapefruit flavor was not overwhelming, and nor was the taste of gin. With fresh flavors, this was the perfect drink to start off a night at Fang.
 

Next we asked one of the owners for a recommendation, and were given an off-the-menu drink, the gin passion sour (RMB 60) topped with a beautiful layer of foam. Another winner for juniper fiends, the taste of gin and passion fruit flowed together seamlessly, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the tart. 

If you want to take your evening to the next level, there are also plenty of shots to choose from. The bamboo shoot (RMB 25) is made using one of my favorite ingredients: Grasovka. The shot is a delicate mix of Polish bison grass vodka, lemon, lime, and lemongrass syrup, which actually goes down a treat, reminding slightly of apple pie, even. 
 

On the whole, Fang is definitely pricier than its neighbors, but what you pay is what you get. Their cocktails are certainly worth the price, especially if you're looking for somewhere new that isn't another bottle bar. We're thinking dates or weekdays, when one or two cocktails is enough.

Fang
Sun-Thu 7pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-3am. 61 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District (158 1038 2089)
东城区方家胡同61号

More stories by this author here.
Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram

Photos: Margaux Schreurs, courtesy of Fang