Sanlitun (三里屯) is one of the most popular bar streets in Beijing. It is part of the larger Gongti nightlife area, which is situated in eastern urban Beijing's Chaoyang District.
Despite several threats of closure, it remains fashionable with the expat community, foreign travelers and younger locals.
The area is currently being redeveloped as part of the preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. Until 2005, bars ran from the northern street through a very busy crossing with Gongti North Road to a southern street, which had fewer bars and was more relaxed.
The Yaxiu (雅秀) clothing market, a popular shopping destination for locals and foreigners alike, is situated alongside this street.
History
Prior to 1949, the Beijing Legation Quarter was the center of diplomatic activity in the capital. After the foundation of the People's Republic of China, the government wanted to move the diplomatic district outside of the inner city and Sanlitun was chosen as the area where foreign legations and embassies were to be reallocated in the late 1950s. The area was called Sanlitun to designate its location from Dongzhimen gate (东直门). Tun, like dian (e.g. Shibalidian), means no more than "locality". San li means "three li", and a li was 0.5 km -- thus, Sanlitun was 1.5 km away from Dongzhimen Gate.
Sanlitun's business grew when, along with the economic reforms of the late 1970s and early 1980s, bars serving expats (and later, to locals) sprang up. International hotels hosted the first bars, but in the 1990s standalone establishments appeared.
The small lane known as "Nan Jie" was demolished in the summer of 2005 to make way for new buildings. However, bars and restaurants continue to operate on both sides of Gongti Bei Lu.
Nightlife in Beijing doesn't yet compare to London or Bangkok, but it's far far better than you'd imagine. Increasing numbers of top international DJs have begun to play clubs here and the music scene is pretty up to date. A few bands have made the trip too (Suede and Morcheeba have played here in 2003 - not the biggest of names but a sign of the growth in the music scene). Most of the nightlife is centred around the Sanlitun Embassy district. Sanlitun Lu itself has numerous bars with live music and imported beers and is a good place to start. The clientele is mixed but in most places predominantly Chinese rather than foreigners. Vogue (expensive and fashionable) probably remains Beijing's most renowned club, but to be honest it's pointless naming names. New clubs open and close so quickly that it's best just to ask around when you get there - or pick up one of the numerous free 'what's on' style magazines from a hotel or bar.
Sanlitun North Area
The taxi will usually want to drop you off at the entrance to Bar Street (Sanlitun Lu) which is at the bottom of the map. To walk to the top of this map will take about 10 minutes if you walk quickly. As you walk down the main street (especially the right hand side) you will be hassled by people telling you how good their bar is and that you should go and take a seat. This is just the locals way of doing business. You may also be approached by beggars, flower sellers, dvd sellers and other such things. Its all part of the experience, but be warned, if you do give money to one beggar, more will arrive quickly.
Sanlitun West Area
The taxi will drop you off at the north entrance to the worker's stadium. The majority of the sites near the stadium are inside the stadium grounds itself behind some black iron gates. Vics is a disco, and so is Mix right opposite. Also in the grounds is the Outback Steakhouse. Outside is the Havana Cafe which usually has a live Cuban band playing Latin rhythms. Across the street (via footbridge) you can seek out some other restaurants and bars.
Sanlitun South Area
What used to be the thriving budget drinking lover's paradise full of numerous small bars, some barely big enough to fit 10 people, has now been turned into a war zone in the wake of development and progress. No more can you find Durty Nellie's, Hidden Tree, Minder, Huxley's and other classic Beijing hangouts. If you are nostalgic for the old times take a look at our archive page here to see how it used to be. Also take a look at the photos from the Demolition Party held at what used to be the Hidden Tree (now moved to North Bar Street and called simply "The Tree"
Sanlitun Central Area
The taxi can drop you off anywhere along the street near one of the 3 big hotels. The Den is at the far west and is a very small disco bar/cafe but in a more western style. The Rock & Roll disco has nothing whatsoever to do with Rock & Roll and instead plays an old fashioned techno/house combination, it is one of the 3 biggest best discos in Beijing and is very popular. The Power House bar often has a good live band. Success is a very interesting, very Chinese styled, entertainment bar in a very unusual building often with a floor show from 10pm- midnight. Well worth a visit.
 Guide
In general it is real difficult to distinguish many of the bars in this area especially on the main street. We particularly recommend the following bars .. Comma (small and fun) , Public Space (quiet and classy, good coffee), Swing 58 (nice food & entertainment). Popular with expatriates for drinking and fun are Poacher's and The Tree (formerly Hidden Tree from South Street). The Bookworm (free wireless Internet) has a loyal following of quiet chiller's, workers and students due to its large library of English books and nice coffee. Handsome Cafe (free wireless Internet) has excellent, reasonably priced Italian food and a great atmosphere. The Golden Elephant also has great priced Indian and Thai food.
More tips about Beijing bars: When you go into a bar in Beijing you will often find it very small and people tend to sit much closer together than in a western bar. Prices are higher than you would expect. Do not think that China is a poor country and that no matter what you do it won't cost much money. A coke in the supermarket will cost you 2 RMB, in a Sanlitun bar or disco, a glass of coke might cost you up to 35 RMB. Some bars/discos have very comfortable seating areas/rooms which have a minimum drink cost. e.g. You need to spend at least 400 RMB if you want to sit here. They will try and tell you this but in varying levels of English.
Sanlitun map guide
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