Houhai is one of Beijing's sharpest drinking neighbourhoods. The lakes north-west of the centre. Lake-side terraces, summer-evening drinking, and the most relaxed bar culture in Beijing. Touristy, but the lakes are the lakes. This is barsforKings's editor-curated guide to the 8 best bars in Houhai — every room here earns its place on craft, atmosphere or sheer local conviction. Save it before your next night out.
You'll find Cocktail Bars, Craft Beer and Hidden Gems here, all tightly clustered enough to walk between in a single evening. That's the value of a neighbourhood guide: pick a starting room, end up four bars in, and never get in a cab. Every recommendation below is independent — barsforKings doesn't take payment for editorial placement, ever.
The order below is a working ranking, not gospel. Read the notes, pick the room that fits the night you're planning, and treat Houhai like locals do — start early, walk between rooms, end somewhere quieter than you started.
8 bars in Houhai, ranked
A working editorial ranking. Walkable in a single evening — pick your starting room and let the neighbourhood do the rest.
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