Beijing’s Hottest Bars

As the mercury drops, there’s no better time to hunker down in one of Beijing’s bars – cockle-warming cocktail in hand, natch. From sleek hutong hideouts to glittery rooftops, these are the bars we are loving right now.

Catail Qian Yard

Stretched out over three cavernous floors like an insouciant sophisti-cat, Catail encompasses a Shanghai-style speakeasy, lowkey whisky counter and intimate rooftop bar with spectacular views of the ancient alleyways crisscrossing Beijing's centre. Drinks don’t disappoint either, with taste bud-tickling inventions dreamed up by a bartender who bagged a spot on Asia's 50 Best Bars.

Pinó

Can’t get into so-now Negroni bolthole Nina? Oenophiles in the know are beelining to little sis Pinó, but a cork's toss from the neon-accented original. Split into four areas, each discretely devoted to wine, craft beer, hot dogs and garden lounging, conceptual mish-mash this ain’t – the sommelier overseeing this pared-back hutong drinker truly knows his grapes.

Mona Gin Bar

By day, this tony hutong perch serves third-wave coffee to discerning connoisseurs, but it's by night it truly comes into its own – as Beijing's best gin bar. Pull up one of just five pews to sample the unholy selection of juniper tipples, served as pared-back G&Ts or tasting flights. Located in Qianmen, it’s perfectly placed for a stiff drink post-Forbidden City scrum.

Dandy Room

There are few greater pleasures in life than shopping and quaffing. Combine the two with a trip to exquisite, A list-favoured tailor Dandy Dandy, followed by a cocktail or three at neighbouring offshoot Dandy Bar. This gent’s clubby cavern pours classic tinctures, complete with clever sartorially themed touches, to a suitably smart clientele. Private rooms plus karaoke available upstairs. Dandy, indeed.

Catail Qian Yard / 60 Guozi Hutong / Dongcheng / +86 10 6703 3251 / 7pm-1am daily

Pinó / 5 Shoubi Hutong / Dongcheng / no phone / 5pm-late daily

Mona Gin Bar / 60 Xi Xinglong Lu / Dongcheng / +86 187 1017 6442 / 11am-late daily

Dandy Room / 1F / 63 Xinyuan Lu / Chaoyang / +86 157 1008 2858 / 7pm-2am daily