Dongcheng

(东城区 e: 東城區 : Dōngchéng Qū; literally "east city precinct") Dongcheng District covers several important parts of Beijing. Wangfujing and Dongdan, as well as the Beijing Railway Station, the Eastern Chang'an Avenue, and the northeastern stretch of the 2nd Ring Road all belong to its jurisdiction.

 

Bye Bye Disco Bar : Hexie Yuan, 3 Shajing Hutong, off Nanluoguxiang 南锣鼓巷沙井胡同3号和谐院内

Bye Bye Disco Bar is a courtyard bar, set up by the enterprising minds behind everything New Pants.

Ditan Park : 东城区安定门外大街地坛公园

Ditan Park, the Temple of Earth is a nice and quiet location north from Lama Temple (Star Live/Tango). The Festival area is close to the North Gate. Festivals such as Beijing Folk Festival or Max Star use to take place in there.

Great Leap Brewing : 6 Doujiao Hutong

In this small brewery, half a world away from its origins, we craft beer by hand, using ingredients and inspiration divined from the East. Each glass reflects a rootless bastard child of global culture and traditions, a little piece of the expat brewers who have longed to enjoy meaningful and exciting beer with friends in this great culture.

Hot Cat Club : 46 Fangjia Hutong

Hot Cat Club is a small, cozy bar and music venue nestled in the artistic haven of 46 Fangjia Hutong.

Jianghu Bar : 7 Dongmianhua Hutong, 交道口南大街东棉花胡同7号

A quiet little courtyard venue rocks out almost every day with some of Beijing's best indie music.

Jiangjinjiu Bar : 2 Zhongku Hutong 东城区钟库胡同2号

Jiangjinjiu Bar (疆进酒吧) is a chilled, relaxed music venue where you can find some of the most interesting folk music flavors on China's menu today.

MAO Livehouse : 111 Gulou Dong Dajie 北京东城区鼓楼东大街111号

Pulling some of the hottest Chinese indie rock acts around, Mao Livehouse is one of the city's most popular live music venues. With its iconic logo and unforgettable rusted iron façade, Mao is a night you will not forget in a hurry.

School Bar : 53 Wudaoying Hutong

Tucked behind the bustling Wudaoying Hutong, School Bar is the perfect place for those looking for an indie nightclub in this city.

Tango Third Floor : 3/F, 79 Hepingli Xijie 北京市东城区和平里西街79号

(Previously Star Live.) Feeling a little bit like a factory warehouse, this venue is functional and sparse, but that means it doesn't rely on any of the charm of your local dive and delivers a great show every time.

Temple : 202, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie, 鼓楼东大街206号B楼202

Temple (坛) is tucked away in a compound greeted with Chinese arches. It's a little hard to find, but once you're inside, you're tucked in a world of laid-back attitude and hopping music.

VA Bar : 13 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

This tiny hutong venue is a huge move for Beijing's jazz scene.

Yugong Yishan : 2-3 Zhang Zizhong Road 北京市东城区张自忠路3-2号

Yugong Yishan (愚公移山) is one of Beijing's top live music venues, pulling both high-profile Chinese indie rock bands as well as cutting-edge foreign bands. With its ex-cinema opulence and second-floor "VIP" room, its status is well earned.