Hangzhou Nightlife

Used to be located on Hefang Jie, in a beautiful and historic building. Now it's on a busy road, tucked in behind a large building with no character. Still fun inside though. Music, pool, Western food, and of course, one of the few places in Hangzhou to find Guinness. They tend to throw great events for the holidays. You'll find a mostly Western, sophisticated crowd here.

Dress Code: Nothing special, but most people attempt to look pretty nice when they go out. This place isn't cheap.

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Live music shows organized biannually (the latest one was in May 2009), featured on Chinese soft rock music and some pop songs.

It is not really good music, but very crowded as young people regard it a trendy thing, also a chance to social, and express "free wills" - most of languages were sex related.

Attached pictures show post-its on a wall erected during the festival, on which were messages from whoever is looking for sex/one-night-stand.

Dress Code: No dress code

OK I was forced into this visit, Hooters s not really my type of place BUT we did have a nice meal and a few coldies. We went on a Monday when all meals were half price from 5 - 7 pm (but you still had to spend 60 RMB per person)

Hooters is for the young and trendy brigade and you will love it.

Dress Code: Couldn't see one but then we were not looking to stay just visit on cheap meal night. Those arriving as we were leaving were dressed for clubbing.

The DJ was good.. If you like Bonbon in Shanghai.. In Club will be your place. Two western girl dancers are gorgeous. Weekend night could be pretty packed. Cocktail is RMB40. Open till late... I usually went there after Night and Day.

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I went to this bar everytime when I was in town. Live band play a lot of Latin songs at the 1st floor. They used to have a Argentinean keyboard who left for home last year.

High reputation for food.. There are entirely 3 levels. 2nd floor is quiet.. Go top floor to grab a nice lake view.

Same investor of Xin Tian Di in Shanghai.. Me myself prefer this one more... Many bars and clubs..Though I prefer to go during day time.. nice lake view.. only have been to CJ bar but i didn't like it too much.. there are many restaurants too, tried Vabene once. I was on my own, so just had one pasta, it was good.. live philippine band play at dinner time.

Huge Chinese discos in Hangzhou are all pretty much the same. Too many small tables with too-tall stools, very little room to dance, terrible house music, expensive whisky being watered down with green tea and ice, and prostitutes (both real and the wannabe bar girls) all about. If this is your style then go to SOS or MAX or the disco strip NanShan Road.

If not, here's a great alternative. GenJuDi (0571 Club) has opened this year. It's small, but comfy with some couches and tables in addition to the usual stools. Dark inside with disco lighting and (in my opinion) the best dance music in Hangzhou (some Chinese pop with disco beat added and more American and Korean rap than in other places).

There is a small area in front of the DJ perfect for dancing, though you might have to get the dance party yourself. On the weekdays, most Chinese customers are more interested in playing dice games and drinking unimaginable quantities of beer.

There's a friendly manager Eddie who speaks a little English and will be happy to play dice games with you or answer your questions about Hangzhou. They have drink specials, such as the first 3 tables each night (weekdays) can get dicounted bottles of vodka (only 141 yuan rather than the usual 180, which is also pretty darn cheap for Hangzhou). Also, if you buy a bottle of something, they usually throw in a free mixer drink and some snacks. And if you don't finish your bottle you can have the waiters store it in the bar for you. They'll give you a little card that you can come back and use on any weekday (sorry, on weekends you'll just have to settle for beer or what the heck, buy a new bottle).

Dress Code: None. Most Chinese girls dress up pretty nice when going to the bars.

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***After not one but 2 renovations, the old Boyi Bar has been sold to a new owner and so an era ends. The name has gone with the wind, but the prices and the atmosphere are about the same. It's now called "Hong Fang Jiu Ba" but will always be Boyi in my heart.***

Good bar to hit before going to party on NanShan Road or before going to dance at club Max just a few doors down. The beer is cheap. You can buy the green bottles of Zhong Hua Pi Jiu (Chinese Beer) 3 for 10 kuai. Can't beat that! You won't find many foreigners here, but that can be refreshing. The clientele is mostly 20-30 something Hangzhounese workers from many walks of life. Many are young, single professionals who come with groups of their friends. Here's a good place to learn Chinese dice games and other various, silly Chinese drinking games. Chances are, even if you come alone, you'll soon be drinking and playing with some friendly strangers.
The manager is friendly, and if it is your first time here, will probably come drink with you. His English is very limited, but he has a few catch phrases (thanks to yours truly) he can work in there with his usual vocabulary of English explatives (thanks to Hollywood). If you hold up 3 fingers and say "Chinese Beer" that will be enough to get you the cheap house special. (Sadly, he too has been replaced by a new manager, who's older, more professional, and not drunk everyday. As a consequence the quality and responsiveness of the waitstaff has improved greatly.)
This is one of my favorite bars, because the people are friendly, the silly drinking games are fun, and the beer is dirt cheap, even by Chinese standards. If I lived closer to downtown, I would be probably still be going to this bar most every day.

Dress Code: come as you are