Hidden away in the confines of Face Hotel for some time, but it’s not all that easy a place to stumble on. But then one senses that’s precisely the point. With a strict door policy requiring advanced reservations, a smart dress code and a minimum drinks spend of RMB 200, this is not your average Beijing watering hole. Needless to say, whisky here does not come with a coke chaser.

The bar itself is about the size of a shipping container giving it a warm and intimate feel, while the interior – all carefully selected soft furnishings, low lighting and upholstered leather, is a million miles from the sort of garish Versailles-via-Las Vegas aesthetic commonly found within many upscale Chinese establishments. It’s dignified and confident with a distinct lack of ostentation. If it were a car, it would likely be something vintage and painted racing green.

Despite boasting perhaps Beijing’s most extensive whisky menu, Kanetaka instead encourages patrons to take a seat at the bar and tell him what they like or don’t like, as the case may be. A certified whisky expert, Kanetaka’s formidable knowledge coupled with a personable and laid-back manner makes ordering effortless: want a single malt Scotch with just a hint of sadness and lingering remorse?

Business Hours: Mon-Sat, 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (reservation required)

Tel: 86 10 6551 6788

Add: Face Hotel Courtyard, 26 Dongcaoyuan, Chaoyang District

Source: thatsmags.com