Beijing Nightlife on A Micro-budget

Beijing Nightlife on A Micro-budget
By Mark Turner , eChinacities.com

With what seems to be a continuing global economic crisis, people all around the world are tightening their belts in various ways. In times of uncertainty, one thing is for sure: partying and enjoying the nightlife is something most people don’t want to cut back on. Luckily for people in Beijing there are numerous ways to enjoy a night out without having to break the piggybank or hand over fistfuls of red chairmen. Here are some suggestions for enjoying Beijing’s nightlife on a micro-budget.

Take it to the Streets
As the saying goes “there is no such thing as a free meal”. Unfortunately this is no less true in Beijing than in any other city around the world. Having said this, the price of Beijing street food is so low that on many occasions it might as well be a free meal. With summer now in full swing, the Chuan’r (pronounced chuh’waa) barbeque spots and Malatang street vendors have mushroomed up all over the city, armed in preparation for guests with the night-time munchies. Beitaipingqiao’s nightspot for street food, where Xinjiekou meets the north 3rd ring road, is just one spot where these spicy MSG-laden treats enjoy much popularity with locals. The street behind Tongli studios in Sanlitun is probably the most popular of street food venues, with hordes of inebriated foreigners munching through all kinds of BBQ-ed and spicy peppered goodies. Vegetarian options such as eggplant, tofu and bell pepper are also available.

Mr. Tambourine Man
Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a counterculture star? Can you make your audience - friends, pet dog and family members - weep when you are playing, perhaps from joy, perhaps from an offensive aural experience. Whatever your skill level or specified talent, you can showcase it at some bars around town during one of their open mic nights. Budding comedians, guitar slingers, singers, jugglers, acrobats and story tellers are all welcomed at Tun Bar, Lush and Yonghegong’s Hot Cat Club, even if they don’t have a single fen in their artistic pocket. Tun bar will provide brave performers with a drink, gratis.

LushView In Map
Open mic night, weekly on Sundays
Add: Building 1, 2nd Floor, Huaqing Jiayuan, Chengfu Lu, Wudaokou, Haidian, Beijin北京海淀区五道口华清家园1号楼2层
Open: 24hrs daily
Tel: 010 8286 3566

Hot Cat Club热力猫音乐俱乐部View In Map
Open mic night, weekly on Thursdays
Add: 46 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing
北京 东城区 方家胡同内46号
Open: 10:00 – late
Tel: 010 6400 7868

Ladies Come for Free
You might think that unless you have ovaries you can probably skip through this section, but wait – this also appeals to those in search of someone with ovaries. That’s right, it’s ladies night! Beijing has two very popular ladies nights. The first is at Tun bar - in recent months, this place seems unstoppable. To give back to their customers, they are, very kindly, offering free drinks up until midnight along with free entry for their female customers on ladies night, which falls on Fridays. For the gentlemen, entry is 30RMB and includes one free beer to quench their thirst. The equally generous, provocatively named Club Juicy Spot offers a ladies night on Thursdays. Entrance is free and cocktails are free for ladies from 9pm through to 2am.

 

Tun Bar 屯吧View In Map
Add: Sanlitun Nanjie, 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京朝阳区工体北路4号三里屯南街
Open: Daily, 18:00 -late
Tel: 010 6585 5866

Club Juicy SpotView In Map
Add: 2-3/F, 2 Chaoyang Xilu (30m south of Chaoyang Park West Gate), Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京朝阳区朝阳公园西路2号楼2-3层 (朝阳公园西门往南30米)
Open: Daily, 18:00 -late
Tel: 010 6593 0610

Which Country Hosted the 1986 World Cup?
If you are on a night out and using a micro budget, then possibly the best value for money is to join a pub quiz. The Bookworm holds a regular Monday night quiz, hosted by charismatic British quiz master Johnny Champagne along with other musical events and book signings which may (or may not) be free. Lush in Wudaokou is also home to a quiz night that is more American friendly - should you be on top of your game when it comes to American history and celebrities, you should try edging your bets with this student-popular quiz. Other hot quiz nights include the one at Souk Lounge at Chaoyang Park West Gate and Frank’s Place in ex-pat enclave Lido.

Souk Pub QuizView In Map
8:30 pm - 9:30 pm, weekly on Tuesday
Add: Souk Loung, Chaoyang Park West Gate, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京朝阳公园西门 , 安妮意大利餐厅后面
Open: Daily, 16:00 -late
Tel: 010 6506 7309

The Bookworm Pub QuizView In Map
7:30 pm - 10pm, weekly on Monday
Add: 4 Sanlitun Nanjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing 北京朝阳区三里屯南街4号楼
Open: Daily, 9:00 -2:00
Tel: 010 6586 9507
Email: books@beijingbookworm.com
Website: www.beijingbookworm.com

Frank's Place at TrioView In Map
Add: 8 Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 北京朝阳区将台西路8号
Tel: 010 6437 8399 ext. 213
Email: franksplace@trio-beijing.com.cn
Website: www.franksplacebeijing.com

Culture Vultures Cheaping Out
For those of you that would never drink your cabernet sauvignon from a disposable plastic cup and appreciate the finer things in life, there are few options for experiencing sophistication as well as high culture on a budget. Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music is the first place to go for that “mian fei” classical music fix, with local student and university musicians, as well as world-class visiting guest musicians, there is always something happening in one or more of the concert halls. Jazz lovers will be pleased to know there are free live Jazz events held at Houhai’s classy East Shore Live Jazz Café - if you get frustrated when people can’t differentiate their Wayne Shorter from their Ornette Coleman and your pockets are feeling a little thin, this is a great place for a night out.

East Shore Live Jazz Café 东岸咖啡 View In Map
Add: 2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyan, Di’anmen Waidajie, Huohai, Beijing 北京西城区地安门外大街前海南沿2号楼2层
Open: Daily, 11:00 – 2:00
Tel: 010 8403 2131

Central Conservatory of Music 中央音乐学院View In Map
Add: 43 Baojia Jie, Xicheng District, Beijing
北京西城区鲍家街43号
Website: http://en.ccom.edu.cn

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Keywords: Beijing cheap nightlife Beijing budget bar Beijing cheap bars

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