Beijing has a vibrant night life scene and a dearth of cheap and cheerful bars in which you can find reasonably priced beers and all manner of slightly dubious-looking, brightly colored, low priced mixed drinks. Where though, do you go if you wish to have a grown up evening supping on grown up drinks such as Martinis and Singapore Slings and enjoy an intelligent conversation whilst listening to some pleasant lounge music? The answer is: in one of Beijing’s top cocktail bars. Here is a short list of the very best places to enjoy quality mixed drinks in the capital of the middle kingdom.

George’s

There was a time when the Q-Bar was considered to have the best cocktails in Beijing. This time is no more because there were managerial disagreements and George left, eventually to start his own Bar. George’s uses George’s good name – both figuratively and literally, serving up what are still considered to be the best in the city. The floor space of the bar is divided up into three areas and the décor is top class- just as people have come to expect. The prices are set to match, though you really are paying for quality as the drinks have been described as ‘spot on’ faithful to classic recipes – mojitos and martinis- as well as having some interesting and original twists. Though expensive there are also cheaper options to be had such as the Tsingtao which is only RMB15

朝阳区三里屯工人体育场12看台

Chāoyáng qū Sānlǐtún gōngrén tǐyùchǎng 12 kàntái

GongTi

Near: East Gate of Gongti Stadium

Ichikura

Ichikura is almost a Beijing legend now. It is said that this Japanese style whisky bar is the best of its type outside of Japan and that it is perfect in every detail down to the expert bar tender’s bow tie. The lighting, chandeliers, service, ingredients, and mixology are totally authentic. If one orders a drink on the rocks it will come, not with a handful of regular ice cubes, but rather a large - almost tennis ball sized- chunk of ice that was actually hand crafted. This is true Japanese attention to detail. The bar’s most favoured drinks are the Moscow Mule, complete with copper mug, plus some excellent whisky drinks. The atmosphere of the bar is rounded off with light jazz music and the fact that the bar is slightly off the beaten track, making finding it well worth the trouble and all visitors feel as though they have come across a hidden gem.

朝阳区东三环北路36号旁边

Cháoyángqū Dōng Sānhuán Běi Lù 36 Hào

ChaoWai Street

+86 10 6507 1107

Apothecary

If attention to detail and innovation are your thing when you are drinking it doubtful that you will have a bad word to say about apothecary. T he mixed drinks contain sours and fruit juices which are in house made just as the menu of Creole dishes features house smoked meats and pickle brine... Service at the bar is fantastic and the drinks are renowned for being some of the tastiest whilst the simple decor delivers a chilled out atmosphere. You can perch yourself at the bar and watch the cocktail making magic unfold or park yourself down at a table with a gang of buddies. It is advised that you arrive there early, though, as the establishment soon get packed out with a trendy young crowd and it becomes a bit of a task to avail yourself of a suitable seat.

朝阳区三里屯北路那里花园3层

Chāoyáng qū Sānlǐtún běi lù nàli huāyuán 3 ceng

Sanlitun Area

+86 10 5208 6040

Q-Bar

Another slightly difficult to find bar, Q-bar is to be found on top of the Bestin hotel inSanlitunSouth. Although it does not have the best of views, Q-bar's rooftop is probably one of the best in town, with all kinds of interesting spaces, shelters and comfortable seating. Though this is not Q-bars main draw, this is the bars wonderfully tasty and well prepared cocktails. The slightly pricy cocktails are clearly what brings the young urban professional clientele to keep coming back. Although the service is a little slow the barstaff are wonderfully polite and professional, squeaky clean and decked out all in black they are a credit to the establishment. On weekend nights DJs spin relaxing and soulful music ranging from reggae to lounge music and people loll around in the expertly laid out lounge. If you like the up-market vibes of other cocktail bars but want a slightly more peaceful drink you can do no better than heading down to Q-Bar

朝阳区三里屯南路东门逸羽酒店6层

Cháoyángqū Sānlǐtún Nán Lùdōng Mén Yì Yǔ Jiǔdiàn 6 Céng

Sanlitun Area

+86 10 6595 9239