Best Nightlife in Beijing: Top Ten Nightlife Spots

Sanlitun is the first place most visitors should consider for a night out in Beijing. It remains the city's best-known nightlife district, with a large concentration of bars, cocktail lounges, clubs and restaurants.

Its modern, international atmosphere makes it especially easy for first-time visitors. You can start with dinner, move on to a cocktail bar and finish the night at a livelier venue without crossing the city.

Sanlitun is particularly popular for its cocktail scene, with everything from sophisticated mixology bars to casual pubs and late-night venues.

For a more atmospheric and distinctly Beijing night out, head to the Gulou area.

The traditional hutongs around the Drum Tower are home to small bars, craft beer spots, live music venues and intimate cocktail rooms. Many are set inside traditional courtyard buildings, creating a completely different feel from modern Sanlitun.

Gulou is popular with younger locals, musicians, artists and travelers looking for something less commercial. It is also excellent for bar-hopping: instead of spending the whole evening in one big venue, you can wander between smaller bars and discover a different atmosphere at each.

Janes + Hooch is one of Beijing's better-known cocktail destinations and a popular choice for a more sophisticated night out.

With a classic cocktail-bar atmosphere, it focuses on carefully prepared drinks, whiskey and other spirits. It is a particularly good option if you prefer conversation and quality cocktails to loud clubs.

The bar is frequently highlighted among Beijing's leading cocktail bars, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in the city's modern bar culture.

Modernista combines Beijing's traditional hutong surroundings with a lively bar and music atmosphere, in the Gulou area near the Drum Tower.

Rather than feeling like a conventional nightclub, it offers a more intimate experience with drinks, live music and a creative crowd. Its setting makes it especially appealing if you want to enjoy Beijing nightlife without leaving the city's historic character behind.

It is a good pick for an evening when you want something more relaxed and atmospheric than a large club.

For something a little different, The Tiki Bungalow is a fun alternative to Beijing's more traditional cocktail bars.

Its tropical-inspired décor and creative drinks make it a good choice for groups or anyone after a more casual, playful night out.

Located in the hutong area, it also works well as part of an evening exploring Beijing's traditional neighbourhoods.

Beijing has developed an impressive craft beer culture, and Slow Boat is one of the city's established names.

The taproom is a good option if cocktails and nightclubs are not your thing. You can sample locally brewed beers in a relaxed setting and spend the evening with friends.

Craft beer is especially popular around several of Beijing's hutong neighbourhoods, where small breweries and taprooms have become an important part of the city's modern food and nightlife scene.

For a slower evening, head to the Shichahai and Houhai area.

The lakes and surrounding historic neighbourhoods create one of Beijing's most scenic nighttime settings. The area is known for its many bars and restaurants, often with live music and outdoor seating.

It is the better choice if you want to sit down, have a few drinks, listen to music and soak up the atmosphere rather than dance all night. Some lakeside bars use street touts and charge high prices, so check the menu before you sit down.

Wudaokou, in Haidian District near Tsinghua and Peking universities, has a younger and more casual nightlife scene shaped by its large student population.

Compared with Sanlitun, the atmosphere is generally less polished and more affordable. You will find casual bars and places to meet friends rather than upscale cocktail lounges.

For younger travelers and anyone wanting a relaxed night without spending too much, Wudaokou can be an excellent option.

DADA is a good choice if you are interested in Beijing's alternative music and underground nightlife.

The venue has long been associated with DJs, electronic music, live performances and an alternative crowd. It offers a very different experience from the polished cocktail lounges of Sanlitun and the traditional feel of the hutongs.

If you want to see a more creative side of Beijing after dark, DADA is worth considering. Small underground venues open, move and close often, so check that it is operating before you go.

Beijing's luxury hotels and rooftop venues are ideal if you prefer a quieter, more sophisticated night out.

They are particularly attractive for cocktails with a view, special occasions or a relaxed evening after a long day of sightseeing. The atmosphere is more polished than in casual bars, and prices are generally higher.

The modern districts, such as the CBD and the area around Sanlitun, are the best places to look for upscale hotel lounges and rooftop bars.