Guide to Chengdu Craft Beer and Jiuyanqiao Nightlife

Chengdu's nightlife is legendary for its relaxed pace and diverse drinking culture. Beyond the traditional teahouses and spicy hotpot spots, the city boasts a thriving bar scene. This guide highlights the top areas, dedicated craft beer taprooms, and themed cocktail bars in Chengdu, with a special focus on the iconic Jiuyanqiao district.

The Jiuyanqiao & Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife Hub

Jiuyanqiao (九眼桥) is the historic heart of Chengdu's nightlife, running along the Jinjiang River in the Wuhou District. Lit by vibrant neon lights and situated next to the iconic Anshun Bridge (安顺廊桥), this district offers everything from quiet riverside seats to high-energy dance clubs.

Riverside Relaxation & Affordable Drinks

For a scenic, budget-friendly experience, several spots along the river offer prime views of Anshun Bridge. Venues like Jinjiang Riverside Bar or Yu Island (俞岛) feature excellent outdoor seating with misty river breezes and live acoustic music starting at 18:00 hourly.

• Popular Combos: You can find high-value sets (such as a 128 RMB set including 16 cups of tea-infused wine and 12 cups of rice wine paired with local snacks).
• Signature Local Infusions: Try Maocha Tea Wine (茉莉清茶茶酒)—a light 6% Vol jasmine green tea-infused wine served in traditional Chengdu Gaiwan lidded teacups—or the Sichuan Blaze cocktail, which blends tequila with green Sichuan peppercorn distillate for a distinct numbing finish.
• Local Snack Pairings: Pair your drinks with spicy Oil-marinated Potato Slices (油卤土豆片) dipped in Liupo chili powder.

Themed & High-End Mixology near Jiuyanqiao

• 况且by sea same: A highly creative train-themed cocktail bar. It imitates the train sound ("kuangchi"), burns Japanese line incense, and serves drinks categorized by Chinese and Japanese place names. Each drink comes with a custom "train ticket."
• Old Square East (老广场): Located in Jiuyanqiao Shuijingtang, this cinematic, plant-filled four-sided courtyard bar was founded by world-ranked bartenders and champions, offering high-end custom mixology in a sophisticated setting.
• La Beato: Located near Jiuyanqiao, this venue features a mysterious, extravagant ancient Egyptian theme, complete with a drink menu named after ancient Egyptian professions.

Lan Kwai Fong Party Scene

Adjacent to Jiuyanqiao, Lan Kwai Fong is packed with energetic clubs and music bars. Key highlights include 两颗金牙 (Teethgold), a popular hip-hop and rap bar featuring live mosh pits, and SAGI萨吉, a dedicated K-POP themed bar with resident dancers.

• Budget Tip: Weekend minimum table spends in Lan Kwai Fong run high (ranging from 700+ RMB for standing tables to 1500+ RMB for booths). If you are visiting as a group of 1 or 2, sitting directly at the bar counter allows you to bypass minimum spend policies.

Dedicated Chengdu Craft Beer & Lager Taprooms

Chengdu’s craft beer scene ranges from specialized micro-pubs focusing on crisp imports to modern local taprooms.

Immersive, Aesthetic & Experimental Bars

For those seeking visually stunning environments and avant-garde cocktail flavors, Chengdu’s mixology scene has pushed deep into experiential design.

• Papuwa 奇幻岛 / bar papuwa (Taikoo Li): A highly photogenic jungle-frog fantasy-themed quiet bar. Bartenders perform magic tricks at your table, and the venue offers complimentary seaweed peanuts. Try the Gilded Silver Tea Set (100 RMB), a creamy green-bean-paste and glutinous-rice-flavored cocktail, or the savory, spicy Shy Pepper (110 RMB) served in a frog glass with a seaweed egg-yolk tart. Note that service can be slower during peak hours.
• Junky’s Garage: Tucked away in an old residential compound near Taikoo Li, this industrial, post-apocalyptic doomsday-wasteland bar features rusty motorcycles, dusty vintage prints, and blinking lights.
• TCM (The Common Measure): Launched by famed bartender Harold Wu, this high-end bar explores unique sweet-savory combinations. Notable drinks include "Soy Sauce Grandma" (featuring secret soy sauce ice cream) and the "Spiced Hotel Old Fashioned" (which mimics the flavors of braised pork rice and is served with watermelon and cheese).
• TCM-themed Bar (Pharmacy style): A separate herbal-infused bar styled like an ancient Chinese pharmacy. It offers custom drinks tailored to your physical constitution, complete with dramatic dry-ice presentations. Professional TCM pulse diagnosis begins daily at 20:00.
• Riad: A Moroccan-style bar decorated with floral tiles, high arches, and a massive rotating central chandelier. It offers quiet acoustic guitar performances and smooth, fruity shisha. Note: The indoor seating is exceptionally dim, making portrait photography difficult without finding specific angles.
• 硬米深夜酒馆 (Yingmi 4.0): Located on Jiaozi Avenue, this massive, minimalist, modern courtyard space features a giant water wall. They are famous for their 侘寂手作宇治抹茶酒, a signature green cocktail blending Uji matcha, fermented rice (laosao), and sake.

Practical Tips for Your Night Out

• Best Photography Hours: For stunning photos of Jiuyanqiao and the Anshun Bridge reflection, aim to shoot between 17:30 and 19:00. Traditional wear like Hanfu looks great in the daytime, while metallic or sequined outfits fit the nighttime neon atmosphere.
• Riverbank Safety: The riverbanks near Jiuyanqiao can be damp and slippery at night; watch your step while taking photos.
• Food Prep: If you dine at WEISS Eatery & Wine Bar before your drinks, remember to consume the Charcoal Grilled Beef Tongue immediately upon serving, as cold tongue becomes tough.
• Interactive Entertainment: Keep an eye out for pop-up events by local brands like BBCO or 野鹅微醺, where they host interactive local dialect and beer culture exams. Scoring over 80 points often wins you a free glass of craft beer.

Locations Guide

All Xiaohongshu Notes