BEST COCKTAIL BARS BEIJING

China Bar is a sophisticated wine and cocktail lounge located on the 65th floor of Park Hyatt Beijing at 2 Jianguomenwai Avenue in the Central Business District. The venue offers commanding views across Beijing extending to the northern Fifth Ring Road, serving vintage wines and Champagnes by the glass, cocktails, whiskeys, and Cognacs. Finely mixed cocktails are fairly priced for the elevated setting, with live entertainment featured throughout the week. China Bar operates 5:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, averaging 200 RMB per person.

MEI Bar is a vibrant, sophisticated venue occupying the entire fifth floor of Rosewood Beijing, featuring three distinct bar areas—wine bar, cocktail bar, and whisky bar—plus an outside verandah with views of the CCTV Tower. With a private outdoor elevator providing direct access, the venue offers house-made Asian-infused cocktails crafted by award-winning mixologists, a chic cigar lounge, and signature offerings including Pisco Punch with strawberry marshmallow garnish and Mint Julep Smash in a pewter goblet. Live music performs Monday through Saturday from 9 p.m., with lively Friday theme nights and elegant décor complementing the sophisticated atmosphere.

UNION at The Opposite House is a sophisticated cocktail bar in Beijing's Sanlitun district, designed by renowned New York firm AvroKO. The interior draws inspiration from 1920s modernism and potter Lucie Rie's ceramics studio, featuring copper architectural elements and metal mesh frames displaying curated artwork. The cocktail menu celebrates the Silk Road, blending flavors from China to the Mediterranean with creations like the Genghis Khan Martini, made with French gin, Mongolian milk wine, dry vermouth, elderflower, and coconut. The versatile space serves as both a refined social gathering spot and a sophisticated workplace venue.

XIAN Bar at EAST Hotel occupies the first floor of the Beijing property, combining a lounge, craft beer bar, terrace, and performance stage. Inspired by the industrial aesthetic of 798 Art Zone, XIAN caters to after-work professionals and evening revelers seeking dynamic entertainment. The cocktail program features three categories—Classic, Contemporary Classic, and Original—with inventive drinks incorporating traditional Chinese ingredients like bitter gourd and blueberry-lavender infusions. The venue also offers an extensive selection of over 130 premium whiskies, wood-fired pizzas, an oyster bar, and live Latin jazz performances, creating a multifaceted nightlife destination.