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cityweekend

Secret Bar-den

To the right of a grey faux brick wall in the back of Stadium Dog, you’ll find a light switch. Press it and the wall slides back, revealing Beijing’s first self-proclaimed “speak-easy,” Fubar Peking. Here, sleek red and black décor coupled with vintage jazz tunes give Beijing’s in-the-know revelers the impression they’ve entered a sublimely classy joint from a bygone era. Impeccably mixed drinks, including Bombay Sapphire gin and tonics (¥30) and “Fu-jitos” and “Fu-tinis” (¥50), perfect the illusion. The menu’s real kickers, however, are the “Dizzy Buddha” (¥80)—a delicious tropical concoction of vodka, coconut rum, amaretto and tropical juices served in a white ceramic Buddha—and the “Fu Manchu” (¥60)—which pairs vodka, rum, tequila, amaretto and juices in a mug depicting the early 20th century Chinese villain. Order one, pay a little extra and take the character glass home with you. Never taking itself too seriously, Fubar brilliantly balances high and low culture. Where else can you sip a world-class dirty martini from one hand then bite down on a juicy, ketchup-covered hot dog in the other?

By Kimberly Gemme

 

Most Recent Reviews

xiaochangyu

Friendly owner - Chad, good music, interesting deco and good looking glasses.

Good presentation!

Would be great if it has some none-alcoholic drinks! :)

 

1 week, 4 days ago

thebrick

best bar in salitun and the surrounding area..

 

3 weeks, 5 days ago

mysterious

The atmostphere is quite good ,it makes you feel cool. The drinks are good. Great to get a friend to unwind.

 

1 month ago

lanzhoumian

I was there for new year. Unfortunately their Stereo System failed at some point. But besides that it was a lot of fun (busy but not super crowded). The thing that I remember most is that I was served a warm beer, went back to complain, they said they are out of cold beers and it will take some time for cooling new ones. However, they not only took my warm beer back, they also gave me a free Gin and Tonic while waiting for a cold beer. That was so far the best service I have experienced in Beijing, so full points from me.

1 month, 2 weeks ago

billyboy

great hidden bar, cheap drink, and just perfect to hang out

 

1 month, 2 weeks ago

cjw_houzi

Hands down the best spot to go with a group of friends. Great drinks, cool atmosphere.

The owner, Chad, really understands customers, you'll never have a problem at his place.

Also a great place to bring an out of town guest. The coolness of finding a bar that's hidden and has no signage will make them feel that they've really gone local. The fact that they are certainly drinking genuine Stella and not a fake knockoff will protect them from the stomach cramps that they'd feel if they really had gone local ;)

 

1 month, 3 weeks ago

krisliu

Great drinks, the Hot toddies there are awesome, especially in this cold! cool atmosphere and just a great overall hangout spot.

 

2 months ago

dairyqueen

A great hidden spot. Drinks are well made with quality alcohol and are reasonably priced. Fun take home glasses of a Buddha and Fu Manchu are great souvenirs. The mojitos are especially tasty.

 

2 months, 3 weeks ago

duncanshaunsmith

Excellent little bar.

I love the entrance and whole prohibition styling. Drinks are well priced and well mixed. Service is fast and efficient and the whole place is very relaxed.

A great place to try if you are looking something different.

 

5 months ago

thezippy

FUBAR is one of those perfect little bars that you want to tell the world about... but almost hate to do, because you fear it'll end up overrun and ruin the vibe.

"Hidden" in the bowels of Stadium Dog, itself tucked away inside Worker's Stadium (Gonti Dongmen gate), you enter FUBAR by heading towards Stadium Dog's bathroom... and then mashing a button on the wall, which opens the wall, revealing the entrance. That's it... no signage, no bouncer, no hawkers. This old-school, speakeasy-style, entry sets the tone from the start.

The bar itself is relatively small, but in an intimate and not cramped way. There's a bar level, a second level above it, and then a back room with couches.

Drinks are big, strong, and benefit heavily from quality house pours. A default G&T is made with Bombay Saphire - 30 kuai. Ditto a house vodka tonic - 42 Below vodka... 30 kuai. Mixed drinks and martinis are also made with top-shelf pours, and run 50 kuai or so.

Though its owned by some of the former manager of TUN, Rickshaw and (I think) Luga's, its got very little in common with those locales. FUBAR's ambience is jazz and lounge music, friendly people, and good drinks.

When I try to think of a comparable bar, I think of CENTO. Very different vibes, mind you, but competing for the same mindspace. You don't go to FUBAR to shake your butt or drink shots of pirate rum... its a good place to go to hang with friends, or unwind after work, or "prime the pump" before clubbing. It'd be a perfect place for a "business drink" with a colleague, or a first date drink with a girl, as you can actually hear yourself drink, and the vibe is classy.

I've never had them, because I'm pretty much a vodka/bourbon guy (best jack&coke in town, for RMB 40), but I'm told the mojito is outstanding, and there are several cocktails that come in these crazy mugs - one's a giant buddha, and the other's a tall fu manchu looking thing. You take the mug home with you.

Anyhow... currently my favorite bar in Beijing, for a combination of quality booze, value, vibe, and professional management.

 

7 months, 2 weeks ago

tombschrader

One of the chillest places to have a drink in Beijing Their mojitos are pure danger in a glass. As in like "I'm just having one with my friends to unwind on a Wednesday and suddenly I've had three and it's 2am on a Thursday" kind of danger in a glass. Great 1-2 punch with Stadium Dog.

 

7 months, 2 weeks ago

stonebanks

Fantastic spot. Great drinks and a fun atmosphere. Love the buddha cocktails served in ceramic buddhas.

 

7 months, 2 weeks ago