Beijing Bars Steal the Show at the 2024 National DRiNK Awards

Last Monday night in Shanghai, the 2024 National DRiNK Awards lit up the bar scene across China, crowning winners who’ve redefined cocktails, creativity, and entrepreneurship. This year, Beijing showed up in a big way, snagging two major awards: Best Restaurant Bar and Entrepreneurship.

Why should you care? Because while cities like Paris and Tokyo have long owned the spotlight for dining and drinks, Beijing is showing up with its own swagger.

These awards aren’t just about local pride; they’re a neon sign flashing “world-class,” marking the city as a must-see destination for adventurous eaters and drinkers.

Take THE BOND, for example. Just over a year old, this restaurant bar combines Southeast Asian-inspired eats with an ambiance that feels unmistakably Beijing. Winning Best Restaurant Bar wasn’t just about the food or the drinks—it was about the kind of place that makes you want to stay for hours.

Why does it matter to a Westerner? Because spots like THE BOND are redefining fusion dining. The menu doesn’t just complement the cocktails; it competes with them.

Their Bond Bellini (peach, sage, grenadine, lemon, prosecco) and Floral (Aperol, camellia, sophora flower, prosecco) cocktails, both priced at just RMB 68 ($9.32 USD), make luxury feel accessible.

And the vibe? Warm, unpretentious, and the perfect blend of expats and locals swapping stories over a shared plate or another round.

📍 THE BOND by Hide & Seek
2/F, Bldg 1, 9A Nongzhanguan Nanlu, Chaoyang District
Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-2am; Sat-Sun 1pm-2am
📞 155 1019 9554

And then there’s Alfred Yu, who took home the Entrepreneurship Award for putting Beijing bars on the map. This guy isn’t just an innovator—he’s a scene maker.

Behind two of Beijing’s most talked-about bars, Paper Planes and non-binary, Yu is redefining what it means to go out for a drink in this city.

At Paper Planes, it’s all about restraint. Think dim lighting, low conversation, and cocktails that take classics like the Negroni or Old Fashioned to the next level. It’s the kind of place you bring someone you’re trying to impress—or maybe just to remind yourself how good a drink can be when it’s done right.

Flip the vibe, and you’ve got non-binary, where every night feels like an experiment in what’s possible. Imagine walking into a bar that looks like a DJ booth collided with a chemistry lab.

Drinks are bold, experimental, and unapologetically creative. If Paper Planes is the quiet genius, non-binary is the wild child breaking all the rules.

Why should you book a flight? Because Beijing isn’t just mixing drinks—it’s mixing tradition with with modern refinement. Alfred Yu’s bars are proof that this city is a playground for people who crave something new while nodding to the past.

📍 Paper Planes
B1-107, Heng’an Bldg, 17 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District
Hours: Sun-Thurs 7pm-2am; Fri-Sat 7pm-2.30am
📞 166 1994 6434

📍 non-binary (Andingmen)
2/F, 268 Andingmen Neidajie, Dongcheng District
Hours: Daily, 7pm-1.30am
📞 135 2216 4403

The Chaser:

Beijing’s bar scene isn’t just modern—it’s a masterclass in affordable luxury. You’re sipping on cocktails that rival anything out of New York or LA, but instead of shelling out $20 a glass, you’re paying a fraction of that.

It’s a city where innovation and tradition aren’t just coexisting—they’re colliding in the most spectacular way. You can drink like a king without spending like one, all while basking in the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you’re not on some A-list rooftop in Manhattan.

So, if you’re craving world-class drinks with a price tag that doesn’t sting, Beijing’s bars are waiting. All you need to do is show up thirsty.

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