Tag: nightlife

Reconnect and Rediscover: Urban Getaways Tailored for Two

Posted on by Alycee Byrd

A sunset cruise through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, a bird’s-eye view of Mexico City’s ancient pyramids from a hot-air balloon, a helicopter tour of Toronto: The experts at Four Seasons have carefully curated a collection of unique experiences to help you discover a new perspective on some of the Americas’ most exciting cities – and bring you and your partner closer together.

Whether you’re seeking heart-pounding adventure or a romantic evening out on the town, Four Seasons can arrange exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime activities and create moments you’ll treasure forever. All you have to do is decide how you’d like to spend your time together. Here are a few of our favourite suggestions:

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Soar through the clouds in Mexico City

Teotihuacán was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas, established in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico in 100 BC. Though it’s believed the city was sacked in AD 550, the site remained important in the region for centuries longer. Today, you can get an unparalleled look at the UNESCO World Heritage Site from a hot air balloon: A tour guide from Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City will lead you on a morning of archaeological discovery, exploring the unsolved mysteries of ancient landmarks like the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and discovering why the Aztecs called the city “the place where the gods were created.” After experiencing the site by air and by land, celebrate your trip back through time with an al fresco brunch for two, served by Four Seasons in a private traditional hacienda – it’s a flight to remember.

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Take to the sea in Baltimore

Sail into the sunset – or start your day with a bracing boat ride – at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, where a luxurious 40-foot (12-metre) catamaran is docked just steps from your door. Take in the sights of the Inner Harbor – the iconic Domino Sugar sign, Fort McHenry, the Key Bridge – and downtown Annapolis, with the revered Naval Academy. After a day out on the water, return to the Hotel to unwind with a spa treatment for two; for the ultimate enchanted evening, your dedicated Romance Concierge can arrange for you to have the spa all to yourselves. The Night Spa Experience includes a delicious dinner for two, flowers and a bottle of Champagne. Soak up this time together with a candlelit rose-petal drawn milk bath as you gaze out over the harbour, then end your evening with a couple’s massage with warm oil.

 

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Roam among the redwoods in San Francisco

California is home to some of the most dramatic scenery on the West Coast: cliffs towering over the Pacific Ocean, wine country’s rolling green hills, Yosemite’s epic granite formations. And, of course, the bright red Golden Gate Bridge, instantly recognizable even when it’s foggy in San Francisco. Explore this iconic landmark – and the spectacular redwood trees of Muir Woods – on a road trip from Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. Cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge in a classic car, and then walk along paved paths winding around awe-inspiring redwoods. Be on the lookout for northern spotted owls and river otters – and the perfect spot for a picnic, prepared for you by the Hotel’s chef.

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Enjoy a night on the town in Toronto

Take your romance to new heights at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, where a helicopter will whisk you away for a thrilling tour of the city. The sky is the limit: Soar above the skyline, marvelling at the city beneath you, and then return to the Hotel for a six-course Chef’s Table dinner at Café Boulud, including expertly selected wine pairings. The romance continues in the spa, where you and your love will enjoy a decadent couple’s treatment and an exclusive night swim experience with a glass of Champagne. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? The Concierge can plan the perfect night out in the city – perhaps art exhibits, dinner and dancing to live music. Wherever you go, you’ll arrive in style thanks to the Hotel’s Maserati Quattroporte.

The sky is the limit in Toronto

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Roll through history in New Orleans

Brass bands, twirling parasols, rhythmic drumbeats: New Orleans is famed for its second lines, described as “jazz funerals without a body.” These boisterous parades started as neighbourhood celebrations but have become vital parts of the city’s weddings, festivals and Mardi Gras. Join a joyous dance line as you make your way from the new Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans to your private streetcar, ready to clang its way down the historic St. Charles line, in operation since 1835. You’ll be joined on your ride by a local historian, who will lead you through the sights and sounds of one of Crescent City’s most charming neighbourhoods, and a photographer who will capture the day’s special moments in an online album for you. Back at the Hotel, raise a glass to your time together over a dinner at Miss River, acclaimed chef Alon Shaya’s “love letter to Louisiana.”

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Our Guide to the Best of Lower Manhattan

Posted on by John Ortved

While incredible landmarks like the Empire State Building and Central Park reside above 14th street, downtown New York City is it. From the stunning architecture of the Oculus, to the world-class galleries in Chelsea, to the unmatched views of Lady Liberty, Lower Manhattan is a bustling revelation of sights, fine dining, cosy cafés, art and nightlife. When you step out of Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, these are just a few of the city’s coolest spots waiting for you, some just a short stroll away.

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The Oculus

The Oculus

“It is necessary that public space prevail,” world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava told The New York Times as his Oculus, the luminous transportation hub at the World Trade Center, was set to open. Today, it is filled with singular shopping experiences, and yet Calatrava’s vision for returning the blighted site of tragedy to the people of New York has not been sullied. The space isn’t bad for your Instagram, either.

Statue of Liberty

The best way to see the colossal statue is by sea, and downtowners have no shortage of options for doing so. We recommend the complimentary classic: the Staten Island Ferry. Or pay a $7 fare and take the Liberty Landing Ferry from the World Financial Center on the west side – it gets you closer to the copper giant, but you can’t imbibe on board.

Le District

The brand-new Brookfield Place – known for its array of upscale shops, like Louis Vuitton and Hermès – isn’t just a shopping destination; there’s great food here too. At lunchtime, you’ll find editors from magazines like Vanity Fair, Vogue and Bon Appétit (they work across the street in the Freedom Tower) prowling les halles of Le District, a distinctly French market experience. There are fluffy, flaky croissants at the patisserie, heart- and belly-warming boeuf bourguignon at the lunch counter, crêpes and salads, and the best mustard selection this side of the Seine.


Two Bridges, Lower Manhattan

Dimes

While this trendy little spot offers healthy edibles, like a black bean power bowl with pumpkin seeds and grilled salmon with turmeric yogurt, it’s just as much about the view. The restaurant – Dimes also has a deli and a grocery market just across the street – is a touchstone for the beyond-cool crowd that works, lives and plays here. All the fashion inspiration you’ll ever need is sitting at the next table or skateboarding by.

2 Bridges Music and Arts

Part gallery, part music shop, part bookstore, this singularly funky collection can be found upstairs in a nondescript, predominantly Chinese mall on East Broadway. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: The owners have filled the shop with art books and records that appeal to them personally. Last time we visited, they were displaying a book of secretly taken photographs in North Korea and playing the latest LP from Playboi Carti. No matter where you’re coming from, this shop is a must.


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CUT

What surprises many diners about Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, the star chef’s sophisticated steakhouse that joined Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown earlier this year, is how many patrons stop in besides Hotel guests. It’s become a local hotspot. For Puck, part of the attraction was being able to source his food locally, whether beets from nearby farms or scallops from Nantucket.

When it comes to steak, Puck goes with the 8-ounce New York American Wagyu Striploin. “You have the best of both worlds,” he says, “the richness of the Wagyu beef and the flavour of the American Black Angus.” Diners can do more than look into the open kitchen, where their steaks and fish are grilled over open fire; they’re welcome to venture in and witness the food preparation. “It’s really exciting, and the chefs love it,” he says.

The Mailroom

Don’t let the name fool you – there’s nothing quotidian happening at this subterranean lounge. Instead, you can party like The Wolf of Wall Street (within reason), with mixologist-made cocktails, vintage pinball, plenty of room to dance and even a bocce-ball court. Since it opened in the fall of 2017, the room has played host to countless New York Fashion Week events, as well as performances by Patti Smith and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. Consider it the perfect place to continue the fun after dinner.

Via Carota

Chefs and partners Jody Williams (Buvette) and Rita Sodi (I Sodi) joined forces to produce Via Carota, a loving testament to rustic Italian cooking and market-fresh fare. While reservations are not an option, the temptations that emerge into the woodsy, hopping dining room are worth every minute of the wait. A fall menu might see grilled lemony artichokes, whole bean soup and a bone-in pork chop, while the summer could cast a spotlight on pan-fried peaches and a heavenly Dover sole. Every meal here is an event, even if it’s just a bite and a glass of Super Tuscan while window-shopping.

Walk This Way

When it comes to footwear, the West Village refuses to disappoint. Ladies should seek out Pierre Hardy; the venerable and always chic French designer has a small shop on Jane Street filled with playful pumps and killer boots. Meanwhile, men can meander over to Leffot, a posh, airy space on Christopher Street where classics from Alden and Saint Crispin’s are displayed like museum exhibits, but with touching encouraged.

Not Quite Coffeehouses

A well-kept local secret, Té Company is where some of the city’s most prominent foodies flock. With nods to traditional Hong Kong tea services, it’s a go-to for matcha lovers, as well as fans of immaculately well-made and -presented small bites. Around the corner on Greenwich Avenue you’ll find Mah Ze Dahr Bakery, a minimalist retreat whose pastries are spoken of in nearly religious terms.


The High Line

Cheim and Read

Up there with the biggest names in the Chelsea Gallery scene, like Gagosian and David Zwirner, Cheim and Read boasts a roster of American and international artists – and a single location – that all but guarantees an impressive viewing experience. Take in contemporary art stars like Jenny Holzer and Jack Pierson, as well as modern masters like Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe and Alice Neel.

Barneys Downtown

Some called it overdue, others a homecoming, but in 2016, Barneys, New York’s ultimate fashion destination, reopened a location on Seventh Avenue near 17th Street where the legendary department store first opened in 1923. More important than when was how, as Barneys revealed a rejuvenated, optimistic, dare we say “cool” edit at the new/old location, with choices from the likes of Vetements.


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8 Mixologists You Want to Have a Drink With

Posted on by Katie Chang

When you reach your hotel room at last and realize you’re thirsty, here’s the good news: The best bar in the neighbourhood, one the locals go to, is staying in the same hotel. What’s it like? You might find a password-protected speakeasy, a personalized cocktail class or a curated collection of fine-aged rums. You can count on finding a hard-working bartender.

Much like chefs, crafters of fine beverages have become stars in their own right, pairing talent with charm to spare. Here, we meet seven mixologists, plus one sommelier, who are elevating the drinking scene in their respective cities, and having a fine time doing so. You’ll want to pull up a seat with each of them. (And once you’ve imbibed, a dreamy bed is just steps away.)

In Mexico City: Take a Cocktail Tour with Mica Rousseau

Four Seasons Mexico's head Mixologist Mica-Rousseau

A favourite at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City, Head Bartender Mica Rousseau finds inspiration in the culture and flavours of Mexico City.

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Mexico D.F.

Four Seasons Mexico's Bartender Fatima Leon

Ask the team at Fifty Mils, including Bartender Fátima León, anything you want to know about the cocktail culture of Mexico City.

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Mexico D.F.

Four Seasons Mexico's Bartender Axel Pimentel

Axel Pimental and the entire Fifty Mils team have a way with unusual cocktails. Try the Ant Man, a combination of mescal, ants and avocado.

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Mexico D.F.

Opened in 2015, Fifty Mils has quickly become Mexico City’s most award-winning bar. The selling point: whimsical spins on cocktails made with local ingredients by a tightly knit group of mixologists.

Head Bartender Mica Rousseau and bartenders Fátima León and Axel Pimental consider themselves family. León especially appreciates “how unique and different each [team] member is,” and Rousseau says being part of such a talented group strikes “a great balance between work and life.” With their hometown’s popularity soaring in the past few years, Rousseau says, “I love everything here – the people, culture, aromas, sounds, flavours. Everything.”

All three are excellent resources for navigating Mexico City’s booming cocktail culture, so while you sip a signature cocktail – the team recommends the Ant Man, which incorporates ants, avocado and mescal – ask them about their favourite local hangouts. Or, if you have a few hours, take the tour: After a glass of Rousseau’s premium mescal, available nowhere else, you’ll be chauffeured to four Mexico City bars that Drinks International counts among the world’s 50 best.

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In Seoul: Lorenzo Antinori Suggests a Glass of Rice


Head Mixologist at Four Seasons Seoul, Lorenzo Antinori

Say the word, and Bartender Lorenzo Antinori at Charles H. will whip up a cocktail with authentic makgeolli – Korean rice liquor.

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Seoul

Hailing from London, Head Bartender Lorenzo Antinori is the newest addition behind the bar at Charles H., the sophisticated speakeasy inside Four Seasons Hotel Seoul that was inspired by legendary cocktail writer Charles H. Baker.

“Seoul is a very modern and vibrant city which still preserves many traditional elements,” says Antinori of his new home. While you sip one of his globally inspired cocktails, the recent transplant is happy to offer fresh insights on how best to get a taste of authentic Seoul. For first-timers, Antinori recommends touring local markets, drinking makgeolli (a traditional Korean rice liquor) and visiting the area near Hongik University. “There’s a lot of small restaurants and bars,” he says, “so you can see how the younger Korean generation socializes.”

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In Koh Samui: Samart Khethong Has a Rum for You


Koh Samui: Head Bartender Samart Khethong

Head Mixologist Samart Khethong invites you to embrace the relaxing spirit of Koh Samui at CoCoRum Bar.

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

When you escape to a land of pristine beaches and coconut groves, one spirit is required drinking: rum. And at beachfront CoCoRum Bar, you’ll find a laid-back but serious rum fanatic. “It’s so versatile, refined and complex,” says Head Bartender Samart Khethong of his favourite spirit. “On one hand, you can taste it like a fine wine or whisky, but you can also use it to mix endless cocktails.” He’s happy to mix all of them: “I enjoy the attention to detail and perfectionism it takes.” (His steady hands made him a finalist at the Diageo Reserve World Class Competition in 2013.)

If you’re not sure where to start with his favourite ingredient, Khethong says, consider your tastes first. Intense fruitiness, spicy finish? Cinnamon and vanilla? Talk it through with the expert in his “office” at CoCoRum. “White sand and an endless blue ocean creates a perfect view and setting for making drinks,” he says. And for drinking them.

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In Prague: Igor Tuska Doesn’t Have to Talk About Wine


Four Seasons Prague's Sommelier.

Sommelier Igor Tuska, at CottoCrudo, takes a relaxed approach to the restaurant’s extensive wine collection.

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Although his role carries with it a lot of pomp and circumstance, Sommelier Igor Tuska believes that part of his job is helping customers feel comfortable so they can appreciate the wine they’re drinking. “I’m always trying to lighten the atmosphere,” he says.

Guests of CottoCrudo can rely on the sommelier to strike up a friendly conversation that immediately puts the table at ease. “I don’t necessarily have to start talking about wine,” says Tuska, who is just as happy recommending bicycling routes around the city. (“Prague is such a green city,” notes the avid cyclist, “with so many beautiful paths and parks.”) He wants his guests to know that just as there is no rush to order, there is no such thing as a stupid question about wine.

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In Palo Alto: Guy Freshwater Pours a Woz


Guy Freshwater makes drinks at the Four Seasons Hotel Palo Alto.

Inspired by local cuisine and, sometimes, people, Guy Freshwater concocts one-of-a-kind beverages for his seasonal menus at Quattro and [esc].

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Palo Alto

At Quattro and [esc], check the Silicon Valley stereotypes at the door. Assistant Bar Manager Guy Freshwater is a proud native Northern Californian who spends his free time outdoors (venturesome travellers should hit him up for recommendations) and is equally passionate about applying the principles of California cuisine to the cocktail programs at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto. The menus shift with the seasons, source local spirits and draw inspiration from local notables. (The Woz, inspired by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, uses St George Spirits’ Terroir Gin from Alameda.)

“We have stiff competition with San Francisco, Oakland and Santa Cruz nearby,” says Freshwater. “We’re lucky because we’re in the centre of it all. We get to pull from all those areas, and transform them into our own thing.”

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto

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Night Swimming: 9 Pools You Should Only Swim at Sundown

Posted on by Lenise Willis

Though swimming under the sun is a cool respite during the day, some pools look their best after dark. From an infinity pool overlooking the grassy plains of the Serengeti to a sky-high jewel in Dubai, these eight pools at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are open through sunset or later, and illuminate new ways to enjoy night swimming.

Maui: A pool for two

A photo posted by Sedge Beswick (@sedgebeswick) on


Dotted with candles and elevated above Wailea Beach, the Serenity Pool at Four Seasons Resort Maui is the perfect setting for night swimming beneath the stars. The poolside is available for private use from dusk to dawn for a chef-prepared multi-course dinner, a private dip with your choice of underwater music, and a couple’s massage in a luxury cabana. Coupled with astonishing panoramic views of neighbouring islands and the West Maui Mountains, this is island life at its very best.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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Dubai: Aquatic glow


Shimmering like a blue jewel at night, the above-ground, glass-walled pool at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre looks like an immense aquarium. Open for swimming until 10:00 pm, the rooftop pool provides an exciting underwater view of the surrounding sites. After a refreshing swim, slip into the nearby heated whirlpool.

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

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St. Louis: Rooftop gazing


Private cabanas by pool

The rooftop pool at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis offers rare panoramic views of the city skyline.

Glowing with soft blue and pink lights, the outdoor pool at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, open for swimming until 8:00 pm, is one of the few rooftop pools in St. Louis. From this poolside perch, enjoy exclusive views of the illuminated downtown skyline – including the Gateway Arch, Martin Luther King Bridge and the Mississippi River – while sipping cocktails from Cielo Bar. Once the sun sets, the pool’s underwater music changes to an upbeat, lounge-style soundtrack to match the city nightlife scene below.

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Maldives: Twin sunsets


An infinity pool at sunset

The freshwater swimming pool at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is a romantic setting for an evening swim amidst the hues of the sunset.

For an awe-inspiring view of not one but two sunsets, the infinity edge pool at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is the perfect place. Seeming to merge with the horizon, the outdoor pool, open until 7:00 pm, reflects the sun’s warm orange and pink hues, creating a second sunset that matches the sky. It’s a most unusual effect for an evening swim.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

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A couple enjoys the infinity pool at Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah.

Celebrate with friends and loved ones by enjoying a private moonlit pool party at Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll.

Just a few miles away, step into your own private oasis: the sunset pool at Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll. Accessible only to you and your guests, the pool lies just outside the Two-Bedroom Water Villa and appears on The Telegraph‘s list of incredible infinity pools around the world. Make it your vantage point as it blends seamlessly with the night and a blanket of stars.

Maldives Private Island Voavah at Baa Atoll

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Hampshire: Swim under the stars


Open late for adults only, the heated outdoor vitality pool at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire offers massage features and is surrounded by the quiet countryside – making it a sweet retreat after a day of exploring on horseback, playing tennis or shopping the charming streets of the village. After a soak, swim into the connected indoor infinity pool and gaze at the stars shining through its glass ceiling.

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

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Serengeti: Nocturnal watering hole


A beach at dusk

Enjoy an awe-inspiring safari sunset while soaking in the free-form pool at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti.

Open through sunset, the free-form infinity pool at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is an idyllic setting for watching the sun descend and the Serengeti transform. By day, the pool overlooks the elephants and water buffalo that frequently stop for a drink at the neighbouring watering hole. But as the day comes to a close, guests will enjoy picturesque views of a Safari sunset and the chance to overhear the nocturnal wildlife, like a lioness or hyena.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

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Abu Dhabi: Seaside poolside

Open until midnight, the outdoor pool at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi is the perfect setting for a refreshing nighttime dip out in the open air. After sundown, unwind with dinner, drinks and DJ music on the third-floor rooftop pool deck. Nearby Eclipse, Terrace Lounge, an open-air restaurant and bar, is ideal for a post-swimming cocktail or poolside indulgence in seafood.

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Beijing’s Craft Beer Scene

Posted on by Mark Graham

Charcoal brewpub in Beijing

Locals and visitors can enjoy Arrow Factory Brewing’s extensive selection at Charcoal, the company’s newest outpost.

Photography Becky Lane

Craft beer and Chinese culture: It’s an alluring combination that’s easily assembled in modern Beijing. Today, the city has seen a proliferation of brewpubs and microbreweries, many of them located in hutongs (alleyways) that capture the traditional spirit of China’s capital city. These establishments incorporate typically Chinese ingredients such as chrysanthemum tea, cinnamon and Sichuan peppercorns, and give their beers exotic names—Zombie Pirate Ale, Hop God 120, Flying Fist, the Man with the Golden Hop.

But these brewpubs are also focused businesses, founded by individuals dedicated to making the kind of unadulterated, unpressurised beer that was once nearly impossible to find in Beijing. The beers are tasty and reasonably priced, the food delicious, the surroundings convivial, and the patrons generally friendly folk who appreciate finely crafted brews. Here’s a taste of four places pouring Beijing’s best craft beers.

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Great Leap Brewing Co.

Exterior of Great Leap Brewing Co. in Beijing, China

With multiple locations throughout Beijing, Great Leap Brewing Co. has come to be one of the city’s most acclaimed microbreweries.

Photography courtesy Great Leap Brewing

Dubbel Happiness and Imperial Honey Ma Gold craft beers from Great Leap Brewery Co. in Beijing

Enjoy up to 20 beers on-tap, such as the Dubbel Happiness (left) or the Imperial Honey Ma Gold (right).

Photography courtesy Great Leap Brewing

Bar and pizza maker at Great Leap Brewing Co. in Beijing

In addition to craft brews, Great Leap Brewing Co. offers a filling menu and relaxing atmosphere in the centre of China’s capital city.

Photography courtesy Great Leap Brewing

People on the courtyard of Great Leap Brewing Co. in Beijing

On warmer days, Great Leap Brewing’s courtyard setting is perfect for drinking in Beijing’s authentic charm.

Photography courtesy Elizabeth Phung

The original brewpub courtyard location of Great Leap Brewing is situated in a particularly hard-to-find hutong. According to Great Leap Brewing founder Carl Setzer, the challenge of finding the place is as much a part of the fun as the humble environment that greets guests once they arrive: “It is such a great walk finding it, and on a good day it is great to sit outside there in the courtyard, shaded by trees, drinking a pint,” he says.

Great Leap Brewing built on its pioneering hutong-location success by opening a purpose-built downtown brewpub, close to the nightlife zone of Sanlitun and, more recently, an outlet located only a short walk from Four Seasons Hotel Beijing. Both pubs have up to 20 beers on tap nightly, ranging from lighter lagers to heavy, porter-style brews, offerings that are consumed by an enthusiastic mixture of Chinese and expatriate drinkers. Setzer recommends the Honey Ma Gold, an exemplary Chinese craft beer with peppercorn and date honey, or the Little General IPA, made with hops from Qingdao.

Jing-A Brewing Co.

Alex Acker and Kristian Li of Jing-A Brewing Co. in Beijing

Jing-A Brewing Co. founders Alex Acker (left) and Kristian Li (right) began their crafting journey when they brewed a homemade IPA to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Photography courtesy Thomas Rippe

Beer and food at Jing-A Brewing Co. in Beijing

Complement Jing-A’s full-flavoured artisan beers with light nibbles at the brewery’s taproom.

Photography courtesy Thomas Rippe

Founders Kristian Li and Alex Acker are an especially convivial duo who regularly organise fun events at their brewery’s Sanlitun premises. The Jing-A carte rotates regularly and, on any given night, might include Workers’ Pale Ale, Black Velvet Vanilla Stout, Lucky 8 Lager and Guizhou Smoked Chili Porter. Among its regular offerings is the Airpocalypse Double IPA, whose price is linked to the city’s notoriously poor air: When the pollution index goes up, the price goes down.

Jing-A started as a home-brew operation, and the reaction to their original beers proved so positive that Li and Acker opened a full-fledged brewery, using locally sourced ingredients such as osmanthus flower, peppercorn and hawthorn berries. “It was our dream to brew tasty, artisanal, small-batch beers in a variety of styles, using only the best ingredients,” says Li, a Canadian who has lived in Beijing for more than 15 years.

He and Acker later discovered a converted factory compound, now home to their recently opened taproom. The complex also contains an art gallery, a restaurant and ample outdoor space for al fresco imbibing during spring and summer evenings.

Slow Boat Brewery and Taproom

Pouring craft ale at Slow Boat Brewery in Beijing

Sip on smoked porters, dark ales, IPAs and more at the famed Slow Boat Brewery.

Photography courtesy Becky Lane

On-tap beers from Slow Boat Brewery in Beijing

Brewed just outside of Bejing, Slow Boat Brewery’s 17 different beers are renowned throughout China.

Photography courtesy Becky Lane

Slow Boat Brewery is run by American Chandler Jurinka, another long-term resident of Beijing, who brews ales such as Monkey’s Fist IPA, Man-o-War Porter and Dragon Boat Ale. Real ales were almost impossible to find on draft in Beijing until a few years ago; now his are highly rated by connoisseurs of the real thing.

The microbrewery, which takes its name from the song “Slow Boat to China,” has a production facility outside of Beijing that produced the equivalent of 485,000 U.S. pints last year. Its ales can be found in many bars and restaurants in the sprawling city, with more than 15 available daily at the brewery’s taproom—which also offers upscale pub food and a Sunday brunch. Jurinka, whose personal favourite is the Captain’s Pale Ale, plans to open an outlet in Sanlitun later this year.

Arrow Factory Brewing


Arrow Factory Brewing staff in Beijing

For more than eight years, English-born Will Yorke has been quenching Beijing’s thirst for quality beers with his ever-expanding Arrow Factory Brewing company.

Photography courtesy Andreas Sundgren

English-born Will Yorke opened and ran a kung fu school, worked as a teacher, and became a DJ before he finally found his niche as a restaurateur and brewer. “Coming from the U.K., I have been more prone the English bitter, but we are working for a market that requires a wide spread, so we have a much wider range,” he says. “We have always been serious about making beer, even when it was on a small scale, but now we have ratcheted up the level of seriousness.”

Today, Yorke has six locations in Beijing that serve naturally brewed beer, including his original Vineyard Café on Wudaoying Hutong; another nearby bistro, Stuff’d; and the Vineyard Café by the River, located within easy reach of the Hotel. Charcoal, another brewpub from Yorke created to brew large batches of natural ale, recently opened on the same site as Arrow Factory. Offerings here include the Pilgrim’s Progress Amber Ale, Guanxi Pale Ale, Longbow Men Session Ale and Dark Ages Rye Lager.

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