Your definitive guide to all the Olympic action in Beijing

Gulou | Room 101

Popular with Europeans and hip ex-pats, this French-owned pub offers a relaxed atmosphere in which to watch the games during the day and chill out to live music at night. If the downstairs gets too crowded, check out the couches and the additional flat-screen TV upstairs or take a break from it all on the patio. Room 101 features Hoegaarden, Stella and Gleckes on tap and cans of Asahi. Beers run between ¥10 and ¥50, and mixed drinks start at ¥20. Happy hour specials run at 6-8pm, 12pm-1am and 4-5am. This 24 hour bar and its friendly staff also offer delicious and reasonably priced burgers, pizzas and paninis around the clock (¥30-60).

199 Andingmennei Dajie, Dongcheng. Tel: 6402-7532. http://www.myspace.com/room101beijing. Cash only.

Gulou | Salud

Come game time, this laid-back, multileveled Spanish bar will be the nexus of festivities for Beijing’s hippest hutong, Nanluoguxiang. Salud will be projecting the games on the wall, while its largely European clientele cheers on the bar’s unparalleled selection of flavored rums, from fierce jujube to sweet cinnamon. In addition to its great drink prices and well mixed cocktails, Salud will be offering one of the city’s most interesting drink deals: Free-flow of beer for anyone who shows up with an Olympic medal.

66 Nanluoguxiang. 南锣鼓巷66号. Tel: 6402-5086. 3pm-Late. Cash only.

CBD/Guomao | The Place

Though only a few (thousand) lucky souls actually got tickets to Olympic events, everyone is welcome to catch the Games at one of Beijing's 26 outdoor viewing stations. The Place mega-mall in CBD is truly the place to watch the Olympics in style with high-end shops and restaurants providing all the necessary accoutrements for the refined sports fan. Win or lose, you can celebrate after the game at one of The Place's swanky nightlife establishments, such as CJW or Song Music Bar. Representatives from The Place have suggested that the monstrous 7,500 square-meter LED Sky Screen could be operational for the Games. But even if just the plain old jumbo-trons are used, The Place's Olympic experience is sure to be larger than life.

B108, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu. 世贸天阶广场. 光华路九号世贸天阶B108. Tel: 6587-1311. Int’l credit cards accepted.

Chaoyang Park | All Star

The best view of the Olympic games isn't from the broadcast booth of the Bird's Nest, it's from inside All Star Sports Bar & Grill, opening August 1. With 65 plasma screen TVs and access to every sports broadcast on the planet, Solana's 24-hour, sports bar-restaurant-night club behemoth blows away just about every other sports bar on the planet. It's less watching the Olympics than living inside them for a few hours. In addition to the eye candy, All Star serves up excellent pub grub, including some of the juiciest burgers in Beijing, so you won't go hungry during your total sports immersion. There's even a hip-hop club upstairs, Bling, so you can get down with some beautiful people after the last event wraps. Maintaining top-notch service and quality, All Star transforms from a family-friendly (with kid's menu) sports-themed restaurant in the day to a sports bar and club late in the evening. Bring friends, stake out a screen and watch the USA basketball Dream Team dunk their way back to Olympic gold glory.

Solana #5-1, No. 6 Chaoyang Park Rd. 朝阳公园6号Solana蓝色港湾国际商区5－1. Tel: 5905-6999. http://www.all-starclub.com. 24 hours

Chaoyang Park | West Gate Square Live Site

Each outdoor Olympic viewing station has been assigned a particular cultural theme ranging from “folk customs” (Dongcheng and Xuanwu) to “the culture of Youth” (Haidian), and the entire Chaoyang District has been designated the multicultural center of the Games. Regular night-crawlers are accustomed to passing this gate on their way to party it up at nearby Suzie Wong’s or Block 8, but this will be the first time Olympic sports fans will get a taste of the Chaoyang Park atmosphere. This will be the screen to wrap up a day of games before hitting the clubs.

Chaoyang Park West Gate. 潮阳公园西门广场朝阳公园西.

Chaoyang Park | Durty Nellie’s

This Irish-themed bar draws out American and British pubbers in droves with its rollicking events and comfortable wood-trimmed bar decked out in beer regalia and green shamrocks. Featuring excellent bar fare and, of course, Guinness on tap, all eyes will be on Durty Nellie’s five television and large projector screens when football’s best teams battle for the gold in August.

1/B Liangmaqiao Flower Market. 亮马桥花卉市场B1层. Tel: 6593-5050. http://www.durtynellies.cn. 10am-2:30am.

Chaoyang Park | Goose and Duck

This sports fan’s dream is filled with diversions like a golf simulator, wiffleball batting cages, a basketball court and enough dart boards to satisfy a small army of drunken dart flingers. Although it might have the feel of a supersized American sports bar, management guarantees that they’ll be putting their five separate satellite feeds to good use, pulling in a geographically ecumenical slice of Olympic competition during the games. Which will be perfect for the highly multinational clientele expected. Patrons can scope out all the Fuwa-filled action on 18 high-definition flatscreens and three massive projection screens spread out over two sprawling floors and four outdoor patios. And as a special bonus, if you get tired of ogling your fellow bar-goers, you’re not but a stone’s throw away from ground zero for Olympic ogling: The beach volleyball venue is just on the east side of Chaoyang Park.

S1, Green Lake International Tower, east side of Chaoyang Park 4th Ring Rd. 观湖国际大厦1号1层,朝阳公园桥东. Tel: 5928-3045. http://www.gdclub.net.cn. 24 hours.

Gongti | Hooters

Famous for its wings and uhh … orange short shorts, Beijing Hooters is almost identical to its American counterpart. Awkward dance routines aside, Hooters’ 13 flat screen TVs and relaxed atmosphere provide an excellent spot to watch the Olympics. Although a little pricey, pitchers ¥120, Hooters does have Kilkenny, Guinness, Heineken, Carlsberg, Budweiser and Tsingdao on tap. Join the American ex-pat and Chinese clientele for two-for-one happy hour from 3-6pm. The servers are friendly but can be pushy. The food is classic American fare: burgers, fries and of course Hooters’ famous wings. Expect American prices (burgers ¥58) but also American portions.

Rm.201, Bldg 1, China View Building, Gongtibeilu. 工体北路，中国红街，1座，201室. Tel: 6585-8787. http://www.hooterschina.com.

Houhai | Jamie’s Bar

This British pub on the idyllic northeast shore of Houhai lake will show athletes competing for Olympic medals on its big screen while scores of expats compete for the dart board downstairs. With reasonably priced drinks and great happy hours, Jamie’s Bar is the ideal spot to watch the Olympics away from the arena hubbub.

A1 Houhai Nanyan. 后海南沿甲1号. Tel: 138-1070-5440. http://jamiesbar.blogspot.com. 5pm to late.

Jianguomen | Tim’s Texas Barbecue

For great barbecue, Tex-Mex and burgers, as well as some prime sports viewing, head to Tim’s Texas Barbecue. The Silk Street location has five screens, including a projector, and will be showing the Games in English and Chinese, broadcast from four different networks. A second location, called Tim’s Texas Roadhouse, is out near the new American Embassy on Lady Street (see our website for details.) Be sure to get there to watch the Opening Ceremony, since Tim’s planning a night of margarita specials for the first night of the Olympics.

2 Xiushui, 14 Dongdaqiao Lu. 东大桥路14号秀水2号. 6591-9161.
http://www.timsbarbq.com. 11am-midnight.

Lido | Frank’s Place

The winner of City Weekend’s 2008 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Sports Bar is the closest thing Beijing has to a real British pub. Multiple, high-quality flat screen TVs triangulate the all-day sports action; while everything revolves around a massive projector screen TV in the middle. Frank’s gets crowded—even on average nights—so get there early to secure a table. Fortunately, there’s plenty of space around the horseshoe-shaped bar as well as a capacious tented area out back. Make the case for your gold medal on one of their two pool tables. Frank’s serves up excellent pub grub, with everything from curry to the ever-popular shepherd’s pie, plus an all-day English breakfast. There is also a kid’s menu. Service is top-notch and English-savvy.

Jiangtai Xilu, south of the Lido Hotel, l将台西路珀丽饭店西侧, Tel: 6437-8399 ext. 213. 8am-2am.

Lido | Eudora Station

When Frank’s fills up, head down the road to this Applebee’s clone. You won’t have a problem finding a seat at either the bar downstairs, restaurant upstairs or rooftop beer garden above that. You could seat the U.S. Olympic team here comfortably and feed them, too, from the extensive menu with a meat and potatoes slant. There are large front and back patios, pool and foosball tables, but a dearth of TV screens. They have several flat screens, plus one big projector job, but could do with more.

6 Fangyuan Xilu, opposite Holiday Inn Lido, 芳园西路6号 丽都广场对面, Tel: 6437-8331. 11am-2am.

Ritan Park Area | Guantanamera

Guantanamera’s the place to be to watch South America’s sports stars in this year’s Olympics. The authentic Cuban restaurant and bar is known for its paella, black beans, and Cuban-style roast meat, as well as its largely Latin clientele. The Games will be broadcast on TVs in both the upstairs and downstairs of the restaurant, giving you a perfect spot to watch Cuba clean up the boxing competitions. This is also the best venue in the city to cheer on Dayron Robles, the Cuban hurdles star who broke Liu Xiang’s record this June.

East of Kuntai Royal Hotel, Chaoyangmen Wai St. 朝阳门外大街昆泰嘉华酒店最东侧, 北京银行对面. 5879-7510. http://www.guantanamera.com.cn. 10am-Late.

Sanlitun | Bar Blu

The always entertaining Bar Blu is a Sanlitun classic and a staple among young ex-pats. From the seven flat screen TVs, lounge and pool table to the top 40 music and slightly debaucherous dance floor, Bar Blu offers a little something for everyone. When the crowd downstairs becomes too much, escape to one of Beijing’s best rooftop terraces and watch the games on two flat screens on either side of the bar. Take advantage of the extensive cocktail menu (¥48) or sip on a pint of Tiger (¥35) or Tsingdao (¥30), and be sure to check out the generous happy hour that runs from 5-9pm.

4/F, 5/F Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Beijie, Sanlitun. Tel: 6417-4124.

Sanlitun | The Den

This staple of the expat bar scene is always packed to the walls with a mix of Europeans and Americans, and the atmosphere gets electric during sporting events. Spread over a patio and two floors, with a surfeit of televisions to choose from, The Den makes sure you never miss the action. With reasonably priced drinks, delicious pizza and a happy hour going until 10pm, there’s plenty of fuel to keep fans celebrating late into the night.

A4 Gongti Donglu. 工体东路甲4号. Tel: 6592-6290. 24 hours.

Sanlitun | Paddy O'Shea's

Irish bars and sports seem to go together like shamrocks and shilelaghs all over the world, and this is Beijing’s best. They have four medium-sized plasma screens, tables perfect for small groups and a very long bar great for singles. Paddy’s features imported beers on tap and respectable pub grub options to go with it. They throw open the front of the bar and the action spills out onto the small verandah. After the sports action concludes, head upstairs to Shenanigans to shake a hip with a fun, more mature crowd.

28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang. Across from the Australian Embassy. 东直门外大街28号. Tel: 6415-6389

Sanlitun | Rickshaw

Like an overweight pasha piled on the back of one of Rickshaw’s namesakes, sports come in an oversized dollop in this small but lively bar. Packing five 51-inch (130 cm) flat-screen TVs into their petite two-story establishment, Rickshaw could show four different games simultaneously if the mad-scientist urge ever overtook them. The crowd trends toward Americans and Europeans, with a small but vocal fraternity element present and ready to disrobe on occasion. The size of the bar concentrates the ruckus during big games, which is no doubt the reason why many fans choose to watch here. Open 24 hours and accepting international cards, Rickshaw makes it as easy as possible to see your sport when you want it. Beers from ¥15, cocktails from ¥30.

Corner of Sanlitun Nanlu and Gongti Beilu. 三里屯南路滚石西门. 6500-4330.

Sanlitun | Saddle Cantina

The Saddle Cantina, one of Beijing’s most popular new bars, will be projecting the Games from their outdoor roof deck on to the wall of a neighboring building for maximum viewing. Sports fans will enjoy a festive atmosphere and delicious margaritas (¥45-55) that pack a punch, as well as Stella (¥40) and Hoegaarden (¥70 for 500ml) served at sub-zero temperatures from the Saddle’s special"ice tap." Their Tex-Mex offerings include tasty burritos and guacamole, and you’ll get discounts on food on Fajita Rita Mondays and Taco Tuesdays, as well as drinks specials for Friday’s happy hour, from 5-8pm.

Address: Sanlitun South St. Gongtibeilu No. 4. 三里屯南街, 工体北路4号. Phone: 6585-5866.

Shunyi | The Orchard

To get away from the city but still enjoy the Olympics, you can’t go wrong with The Orchard. Boasting a gorgeous garden, where much of the restaurant’s produce and herbs are grown, The Orchard’s grounds also include a small lake with an island in the middle, home to this summer’s sports viewing pavilion. The screened-in sun porch will be equipped with at least one large screen TV, sofas, satellite and tasty drinks and snacks.

Address: Sanlitun South St. Gongtibeilu No. 4. 三里屯南街, 工体北路4号. Phone: 6585-5866

Shunyi | The Pomegranate

The Pomegranate, which gets its name from its courtyard’s pomegranate tree, is regarded as a Shunyi institution, as it’s one of the longest running bars in the district. If you’re staying outside of the center of town or fancy a more relaxed venue, then the three 42-inch screens will be ample enough to meet your viewing needs while the local expatriate families will provide a cordial atmosphere. The bar has a varied international clientele tempted by its draft Beamish, cheap food and outdoor seating. It’s also a great place to bring the family.

19 Kaifa Lu, Xibaixinzhuan, Houshayu. 后沙峪西白辛庄开发路19号. Tel: 8046-2558.

Yonghegong | Ditan Viewing Station

Located just north of the Yonghegong subway station, Ditan Park is home to the Earth Altar where Chinese emperors once made sacrifices to the terrestrial gods. During the Olympics, fans will worship idols of a different kind as they watch their favorite amateur athletes compete on giant inflatable screens. Considered one of Beijing’s less prominent green areas, Ditan is ideal for the laid-back sports enthusiast who is looking to watch the Games in more tranquil environs, away from the large rowdy crowds found at other venues, and somewhere where you can take a nice stroll through a 16th-century imperial park as a pre-game warm-up.

A2, Andingmenwai Dajie. 地坛公园。安定门外大街甲2号