Seven great Beijing dates you never thought of— but wish you had

Beijing’s summer sun and rising temperatures are the perfect catalysts for a spicy affair. But you're not going to win the great dating game with dinner and a movie. Make the first move with an innovative date agenda, and you're sure to shack up this summer. City Weekend tells you how, with seven swelteringly sexy trysts in the capital.

by Michael Engstrom

The High Roller Date

This night out on the town is for those smooth talkers who like to put their money where their mouth are. If you’re worth your salt, you’ll forget malodorous cabbies and shell out a few renminbi to hook up with a stretch limousine, or better yet, a stretch Hummer at Beijing Wedding Car Renting Company, where basic rentals start at ￥1500. Make your first stop at Shin Kong Place to purchase your princess a pair of Prada alligator-skin stilettos or your man a bottle of Issey Miyake eau de toilette. After, command your driver to escort you to the swank sophistication of Block 8’s The Boardroom, where the set menus cost as much as your monthly rent and the Kobe Beef Teppanyaki will speak volumes of poetry for you. Enjoy your first flute of Champagne in a VIP cabana on The Beach’s roof deck before heading back down to The Boardroom's private lounge for an amorous aperitif. Then strut your way over to The Emperor Hotel's Yin Bar for a huangjiu nightcap. With stunning views of the Forbidden City, the imperial grandeur of Yin will secure you a night’s stay at your emperor or empress’ own kingdom.

The Competitive Date

Though no one wants a fight on the first date, getting down and dirty with a little competition can be fun. Let game time begin by grabbing a pint and getting physical on a foosball or pool table at The Goose and Duck. When all scores are settled, hustle over to Nanluo Guxiang’s Kiss Kiss, where locking lips for a slow ten seconds in front of fellow patrons will win you a free plate of cow tongue-see which of you can stomach more. Afterwards, see who’s more full of the bull in a binge-drinking contest at the all-you-can-drink-for-￥100 Luna Bar. The last one standing should somehow get you both over to the bowling alley at Gongti 100, for a sobering round of nine-pins. And if you haven’t had enough yet, take each other on in a karaoke-off downstairs at Tango. Whatever the outcome of all these battles is, be prepared for a more primeval display of prowess at the other’s flat. You see? Everybody wins.

The Nookie Date

Before you get yourself implicated in this highly risqué tryst, be sure to check an online urban slang dictionary for the meaning of the word “nookie.” Once confident in your abilities, go Geppetto-style and head to Whale Inside. Hotly submerged in pitch darkness, dining is put on the back burner here, as word has it even the waiters, all of whom wear night-vision goggles, try to get in on the action. For dessert, try the VIP couches at Capital Times Cinema in Xidan's Joy City Mall: adjust your eyes and enjoy each other. Afterwards, head over to Bed Bar for a glass of red wine or a sweet cocktail, lay down side by side on the bar's kang-style beds and sneak kisses when the waitstaff isn't looking. As on any good date, you’ll need a breather, so it will be a good idea to catch some fresh air on a quiet stroll through Zhongshan Park, where you’ll hear more than a few leaves rustling. If a park official interrupts, just tell him you are a university student who still lives in the very puritanical dormitory, and he’ll likely let you continue. If he makes you stop, you can always find some alone time in one of ReMix’s private KTV rooms.

The First-Kiss Date

The initial date must always wax a bit traditional, especially if you want that romantic first kiss to be just right. Flowers in hand, meet your date for a glass of wine at Hou Hai’s Baie des Anges. After, order a small pie from Hutong Pizza next door. While not the most romantic dinner, a pizza pie is perfectly portable, a must for a moonlit peddle boat ride north under Yin-dingqiao. But first buy a paper lantern: when you find a secluded spot on the water, light the lantern and watch its assent toward the stars as you lean in for a first kiss.

The Cheap Date

Whether you and your crush are honestly broke or just pretending you’re 15 again, you can’t go wrong with the cheap date. Hop on your bicycles and pedal around Gulou’s hutongs, looking for charm sans the need for cash. Be sure to carry a few kuai on you when you arrive at San Shi Zhai Kite Store to pick out an elaborately decorated set of wings for just ￥40. Buy a few chuan’r and warm Tsingtaos and let your kite soar into the setting sun at Ritan Park.

The Aquatic Date

Getting wet together can be a wonderful way to bond. Counter the Beijing heat at Huairou’s Caribbean Lagoon Water Park. Dry off after by walking through Asia’s longest undersea walkway, at the Blue Zoo Aquarium, which stays open until 8pm. The marine creatures you see there should whet your appetite for some seafood, so take in a crustacean or two at the enchanting La Marée. Conclude your date by soaking in Yin Bar’s rooftop Jacuzzi while sipping bubbly.

The ‘80s Date

Convince your date you are as dreamy as Patrick Swayze or as desirable as Pat Benatar by heading first to Xidan’s Hua Wei Market for sweatbands, multi-zippered jackets and tapered jeans. Walk up to Tang Ren He Feng Salon, and don’t forget to take a portrait of your favorite '80s heartthrob. With your hair teased and sweatbands tight, head north to Haidian’s New Trend Roller Skating World for an evening of sweet Xanadu roller disco. Afterwards, catch an '80s-licious set by Snapline at D-22, or dance to the cool synths of Alfa’s '80s night.

Your Best Date?

Beijingers tell us what they did on the best date they ever had
Trent Lesina (Australia): Owner of Ned’s Bar
We went to Shidu, outside of Beijing, to bungee-jump. That was sweet. It's not like in Australia, where you jump when you're ready. Here, they ask, “Are you ready?” then push you off the edge.

Céline Gauthier (France): Freelancer
We snuck in and hung out on the steps of the Mexican Embassy at midnight. The place is huge, and it was one of the rare nights when you can see stars in Beijing. We were trying to figure out the different constellations.

Jennifer Moran (USA): Consultant
My fiancé and I enjoy buying bottles of Tsingtao and sitting outside watching the world go by. Buying cheap beer and sitting in the street isn't what we would do back in the States, but we’ve seen weird, amazing things here.

Per Carmblad (Sweden): Manager
My best date lasted 11 days. After meeting online, I went to visit her in another city. I brought lasagna and red wine and stayed for the weekend. Then, she came back to stay with me for a week.