Beijing’s sprawling suburbs house numerous bars and clubs, from the well known flashing neon streets to the alley inside an alley. Beijing is made up of 8 inner city districts; Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, and Shijingshan.

Here are some of the areas within the districts that are worth checking out;

Sanlitun
One of the most well known areas of Beijing for its bars and clubs. In Chaoyang district, west of Changhongqiao on the 3rd East Ring Road and close to the 1st and 2nd embassy streets. At least 25 bars in one street. Make sure you know which bar you’d like to go to, unless you would like the hostess of every bar trying to drag you into their bar.

Houhai
Would have to be another of the most well known areas for its quiet riverside atmosphere. Houhai is an awesome lake surrounded by bars that transform in the early evening as the sun sets and the hanging lantern lights flicker on. Situated just north of Tian’AnMen and BeiHai Park. Most bars are small and intimate and have happy hour prices for cocktails in the early evening. Many bars have live music after 9 or 10pm.

Gongti - Workers Stadium
Situated in Chaoyang District and very close to Sanlitun. The present prosperity of Gongti Ximen partly owes much to the influence of Sanlitun and the area around the North Gate of Workers’ Stadium (Gongti Beimen) where two of Beijing’s best nightclubs Mixs and Vics are found. Skirted by these two major entertainment areas in Beijing, Gongti Ximen was noticed by club operators who were troubled by the physical limitations of Sanlitun and Gongti Beimen. The stadium will be the venue of the football quarter-finals and semi-finals during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Quite a few bars here have been renovated and revamped for the coming Olympic crowd. Dress smart if you’d like to visit here. This is definitely one of the glamor areas of Beijing.

Wudaokou
In Haidian district, Wudaokou is probably the most popular bar area for students with Beijing’s best universities close to here. Prices are generally cheaper than Sanlitun.

Dashanzi
In Chaoyang district, east of the 4th East Ring Road, this is the place for the less commercial. Plenty of creative bars mingled together with art galleries and fashion shops.

Yuandadu - Yuan Dynasty’s Capital
North of the 3rd North Ring Road, this bar strip runs on either side of a river. Many themed bars.

Xingbalu - Star Bar Street
Close to the 3rd embassy area and supposedly where the ’stars’ of China socialize.