Daily 2pm-3am
Building 14 west side, Sanlitun Beili, Chaoyang

Nestled in the same compound that houses those dubious gent’s clubs Messrs Cross and Bosom, Red Cafe Bar’s fuschia sign is a fresh addition to that oft neglected corner running away from North Bar Street. Battered old-style wooden tables and stools line the area by the bar, further back are plastic sofas. The interior walls are a deep shade of red, hard to tell exactly as its so dim inside. The toilets bear absolutely no relation to the bar’s layout in that they are chessboard type black and white squares.

Daily 5.30pm-4am
Dongdaqiao Xiejie (South Bar Street), Chaoyang
6591 5811

The cramped interior can only seat a handful of people, but if you’re lucky enough to get a seat, the friendly bar owners will be happy to chat with you over the raucous selection of jazz, blues, reggae and middle-eastern music playing on the home stereo.

No.6 Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
朝阳区三里屯南路6号
65068811 65912357

Daily 2pm-3am
No.17 Sanlitun Nanjie, Chaoyang
6595 6650

This bar-boutique sets itself apart from its neighbours by offering candles of all shapes, sizes, colours and aromas along with standard Bar Street booze. And then there’s paintings for sale that adorn the walls. Performances of artistic and musical varieties go down regularly, as do rotating art exhibits and multimedia projects.

No. 88 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang

No.60 Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
朝阳区三里屯酒吧街60号
Ph: 64166414 13146901119

Daily 9.30am-6am
No.52 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang
6416 4697

The prize for Sanlitun’s gaudiest sign goes to the ‘No. 52′, a stone edificed joint with the monstrous numerals hanging over the entrance. The inside has been expanded and is basically your standard bar street arrangement. Drink prices are standard.

No.40 Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
朝阳区三里屯酒吧街40号
Ph: 13718866032 Email: misxicom@yahoo.com.cn

No.52 Sanlitun South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
朝阳区三里屯南街甲52号
64637389 64637240

Daily 10am-2.30am
No.36 Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
朝阳区三里屯北街36号
Ph: 64176886 Email: easyday_pub@126.com

Some would call it bland, yuppie and nondescript. Others might call it their favourite pub. The white-edificed Easy Pub features the Sanlitun staples: cover band, beer and popcorn. What more could one ask for?