Most of the bars are clustered around Sanlitun Lu, also called Jiu BaJie (literally “Bar Street”), and Nan Jiu Ba Jie (”South Bar Street”), a hutong south and just to the west, all within staggering distance of one another. All offer draught beer at Western prices, and many have live music. Haidian, in the university district, is known for its low-key speakeasies and underground edge. For a quiet drink in chilled surroundings, head to Houhai lake, where a new bar zone is in its infancy.
 Beijing’s discos are a long way from the centre, and the only practical way to get to most (or certainly back) is by taxi. They may not be the hippest venues on the planet but they’re certainly spirited and cheaper than a night out in a Western capital, partially as many let foreigners in free - reputedly because they know how to have a good tinier, but probably because they spend more at the bar.

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