什刹海西海东沿1号
6406-4688, 6400-0168
Located in the far reaches of Xihai, this is a Chinese bar attempting to be “Western” but not quite figuring out the line between tasteful and kitchy, with cheap drinks and a nice balcony. A 15-piece Chinese instrumental orchestra performs on the weekends.

Goldfish Home Bar 金鱼
Open 1:30pm-2am
5 Qianhai, Houhai
前海5号
6615-8966
Since Lotus Lane was pimped out with a Starbucks and a handful of overpriced bars and restaurants with very little quality (roll on the new-look Nanluoguxiang!), there has been scant reason to visit. However, Goldfish Home Bar, despite its nonsensical mantle, finally brings a touch of class to a street otherwise ruled by Carlsberg girls clad in pleather knee-high boots and miniskirts. Goldfish boasts three floors styled similarly to the 1920s decadence used to such effect by Suzie Wong’s. Funky lounge music offers a welcome alternative to the croons of the xiaojies favored by neighboring establishments, while the third floor-cum-roof terrace elevates you above the bustle and provides a great view of the lake. Sadly Goldfish adheres to local inflation: beers starting at RMB 35, “special” cocktails, including the Goldfish Private for RMB 45, and ten-year-old rice wine for RMB 180. Still, attentive service and absence of the unnecessary tack so often bedecking Houhai bars, make Goldfish worth a visit.

Lotus Blue 兰莲花
Open Mon-Fri 1:30pm-2am; Sat-Sun 11:30am-2am
Inside Lotus Lane, Ping’an Dajie
Opposite north gate of North sea
平安大街什刹海荷花市场内
北海北门对面
Price Y100-Y199 per couple
6617-2599
Lotus Blue is probably the coolest bar on the strip – its mix of Buddhist bric-a-brac and Chinese artefacts, glitz and a vague homage to the Belgian cartoon hero Tintin, somehow works. Eat Thai food or drink inside on two levels, or in summer head to the third-floor roof terrace and gaze over the lake at the hundreds of floating candles that boaters drop into the water for good luck.

Vanilla Sky 香草天空
Open 2pm-2am
43 Yandai Xiejie
烟袋斜街43号
Price Y100-Y199 per couple
6402-6440
Provides the intimacy rarely found in Beijing with nest-like seating areas and nooks for two. Enjoy a stunning view of Houhai at umbrella shaded tables on the roof.

Wave Café
Daily noon-2am
18 Houhai Nanyan, Xicheng
This living-room/sunroom venue takes its design cues from 80s issues of Better Homes and Gardens, complete with gardening tools hanging from the walls. Soft jazz and latin waft through the space and plush couches and chairs make for a cozy way to sip coffee (RMB 88 for a DIY version, RMB 15-30 for the usual types).

Casablanca Café 卡萨布蓝卡
Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, Arabian food, Curry, Gelato
No.14 Houhai South Side, Xicheng District
30m west of Yinding Bridge
西城区后海南沿14号
银锭桥往西30米
66131929
casablanca2007@yahoo.cn

Series Baby 串宝宝
No.20 HouHai south side, Xicheng District
后海南沿20号
66171705

Lily 百合
No.18 on Houhai south side
西城区后海南沿18号
66121518 13801090548

Jack Bar 烈火凤凰音乐酒吧
No.4 Houhai south side, Xicheng District
西城区什刹海后海南沿6号
66125886
Jack_Bar@sohu.com

Houhai Red Bar 后海红酒吧
No.29 Beiguanfang Hutong, Xicheng District
(100m west of Yinding Bridge)
西城区北宫房胡同29号院
(银锭桥南沿向西100米)
66132023
Pool Table, Darts, Table Football

Ba Gua Bar 八卦酒吧
No.6 Houhai Ya Hutong Houbing, Xicheng Distric
西城区后海鸦儿胡同后丙6号
64018080

Bailingtan Club 百龄坛俱乐部
No.6 Houhai Ya Hutong, Xicheng District
西城区后海鸦儿胡同后6号
84002085

Flying Fish Bar飞鱼酒吧
No.12 Yinding Bridge, Xicheng District
西城区后海银锭桥12号
66111800

Houhai Café 后海咖啡
Friday, May 16th, 2008
No.20 Houhai south side, Xicheng District
后海南沿20号
66136209 13811060000

Houhai Coffee Bar 柳塘庭
No.12 Houhai south side, Xicheng District
西城区后海南沿12号
66177371