If you think that Chengdu is all about pandas and tea houses think again! As the annual Zebra Music Festival and the ever-increasing number of live music venues prove, Chengdu has a burgeoning rock scene that’s very much alive and kicking. Whether you long to hear local rock, reggae or an international band, the venues below are where the noise kicks off.

Little Bar小酒馆
As the name suggests, Little Bar isn’t the largest of venues, but its intimate atmosphere, cheap drinks and regular live music makes this bar one of Chengdu’s best gems for live music. Tastefully decorated with arty photographs and paintings, Little Bar is a mainstay in Chengdu’s bar scene, providing cheap drinks and entertainment since 1997. Little Bar currently has three branches in Chengdu: Fangqin (芳沁店), Yulin (玉林店) and Hetang (荷塘店) branches. The majority of events kick off at Fangqin branch. For events listings check out their Douban page at http://www.douban.com/group/littlebar.

Little Bar 小酒馆 (Fangqin branch芳沁店)View In Map
Add: No.5, 47 Yongfeng Lu, Chengdu
地址: 成都市永丰路47号附5号
Tel: 028 85568552

Yulin branchView In Map
Add: 55 Yulin Xilu, Chengdu
地址: 玉林西路55号

Hetang branchView In Map
Add: Baimu Hetang, Huangbo Lu, Wanxing Qiao, Chengdu
地址: 三圣乡荷塘月色万兴桥璜柏路百亩荷塘中

Circle Live Pub 圈子酒吧View In Map
This is one of Chengdu’s main live music venues, with regular live bands especially on the weekends. It’s a lot more spacious than Little Bar, and is a great choice for soaking up some Chinese rock.

Add: Jianshe Zhong Lu 5th Avenue Commerce Street 3F Bldg A 132, Chengdu
地址: 成都市建设路中 第五大道三楼后座A-132
Phone: 135 5011 5013

Hemp House 麻糖酒吧View In Map
This reggae themed bar on the third floor of the Oriental Times Plaza is home to weekly reggae parties and live bands. The bar is a favourite among locals and expats alike, and its foosball and laid-back atmosphere makes this one of the top choices for combining fun and games with live music and dancing.

Hemp Bar has also got a large outdoor patio because when “the sun is shining, the weather is sweet!”

Add: Dongmen Daqiao, Oriental Times Plaza, 3rd Floor, Chengdu
地址: 成都市东门大桥东方时代商城三楼

Jah Bar 家吧View In Map
Live bands at weekends, open mic sessions, cheap drinks, a Tibetan theme, arty deco stylings and a riverside location makes Jah Bar a popular hangout among locals, expats and travelers alike. The only major complaint about this bar is the fact that the loud music from neighbouring bars forces up the volume of Jah Bar, so much so that much of its laid-back charm is a casualty of the “noise war”. However, this aside, Jah Bar is still one of the forerunners in Chegdu’s live music scene.

Add: 36 Laonanmen Daqiao, Hongmen Jie No. 118 (opposite "big boat"), Chengdu
地址: 成都市老南门大桥黉门街36号附118号
Tel: 136 8905 1773

Elephant Bar 大象酒吧View In Map
This little bar on Fangqin Street organizes the odd Chinese folk rock gig from time to time. The events may not be as regular as say, Little Bar, but its intimate setting, arty interior and mellow live gigs makes this a great place for chilling out after a hard day’s work. For news on upcoming events check out their douban page (Chinese only) at http://www.douban.com/host/daxiang.

Add: 62 Fanqin Jie, Gaoxin District, Chengdu
地址: 成都市高新区芳沁街62号
Tel: 028 8519 9107

Machu Pichu 马丘比丘咖啡馆View In Map
This cozy hangout features live music at weekends, and is one of the most laid-back cafe bars for enjoying acoustic or folk sessions. The drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is welcoming and overall friendly. The venue itself is fairly small and mainly patronized by locals, so if you want to watch a live gig seated its best to come a little earlier.

Add: 14 Fang Hua Heng Jie, Chengdu
地址: 成都市芳华横街14号
Tel: 028 8513 2903

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