VIBE

Endearingly kitsch urban oasis. Tucked away on the seventh floor of a nondescript Sanlitun office tower, this lush patio bar wins our vote for “Best Use of Cheesy Garden Accessories” with its trickling fish ponds, cutesy gazebos, curved wooden bridges, and flashing fairy lights. If you tire of gazing at the abundant greenery (seriously, they even have live grass!), the panoramic views of downtown Beijing provide another wow-factor. A recent change in management has brought a new name (it used to be more poetically called Zhongyu Hanging Gardens) and higher prices, but they’ve sweetened the deal with an indoor bar (so you have somewhere to retreat when the weather turns nasty).

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

It’s casual–we’d rock up in jeans, flats, and cute cardi.

GO HERE WITH

A date; friends; yourself; coworkers

CROWD

Relaxed, expat-heavy crowd looking for a chill drink and some scenery.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The greenery! What a gorgeous change from the concrete and dust of Beijing! We also can’t get enough of the view. Good nice-weather spot for afternoon or post-work drinks.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The name. We’d switch it back to Zhongyu Hanging Gardens in a heartbeat! Also, the food menu is pretty pointless because they’re usually out of everything on it, and the soundtrack could use some TLC (because right now it’s just a 15-minute loop of elevator music).

GOOD TO KNOW

Most of the tables only seat four, so if you’re coming with a big group, call ahead to book the more spacious gazebo. There’s Wi-Fi available.

CLOSEST COMPS

ME Bar (New York); The Delancey (New York)