Beijing Nightlife: The City After Dark

If you're touring Beijing, then you'll probably be tired enough after trekking the Great Wall to hit the sack when the sun sets. But if you somehow still have energy, there's plenty of Beijing nightlife to explore.

You have your pick of popular bars, discos, and of course, karaoke digs. Here are some highlights:

Propaganda (Huaqing Jiayuan Don Men Wang Bei north of the east gate of Huaqing Jiayuan): this is a student dig with deep bass, cheap drinks, and lots of bodies. Not the swankiest place, but a great club to hit up if you're looking to have some fun with friends without spending too much.

Destination (located South of the West Gate of the Workers' Stadium, opposite Bellagio's): as an openly gay bar, the customers are primarily male although there are plenty of women, too. It's packed on the weekends, attracting young Chinese and some corporates and expats.

MAO Livehouse (111 Guloudajie, Dongcheng District): A decrepit-looking place, but awesome for pounding live music. If you're looking for a dark, ear-splitting club, check this place out.

Stone Boat Bar (Southwest corner of Ritan Park on the south end of the lake): Not so much like the other places, this bar is shaped like a Qing Dynasty boat, accommodating those looking for class and charm and a spot to relax. There is live music.

Club Banana/Spicy: The full experience of Beijing disco. It's regarded by many as the best and most popular venue. Not the edgiest or most ground-breaking scene in town, but a great place to go for a fun atmosphere on a Saturday night.

Party World: Looking to try your hand at Karaoke? Look up Party World. It's a big chain (used to called Cash Box), is open 24 hours, and reportedly has free food. They don't have much English there, however, so go with a Chinese friend.

For those seeking more highbrow culture, Beijing has plenty to offer. There are numerous performances of Peking Opera, acrobatics, dramas, song and dance performances, and musical concerts.

It is true that Beijing has a more conservative culture than cities such as Shanghai or Hong Kong. Older, married people usually like to stay inside in the evenings rather than roam the city, so some areas can seem quite deserted after 9 p.m. However, for those craving the Beijing nightlife, there is still much to see. Stick with places recommended by Chinese friends or other travelers, and you should have a great time.