In the intricate hutongs of Beijing, adjacent to residential areas, you'll discover concealed clubs, cafés, and even Tiki bars. Punks, street artists, and rum enthusiasts come together, all seeking an escape from the routine with a strong drink in their hands.
The Tale of the Bungalow
While the hutongs provide a getaway from the city's monotony, their primary residential nature complicates running a business nearby. Noise complaints are frequent, alongside inquisitive neighbors keeping an eye out for anything they consider "out of the ordinary."
It was this well-meaning vigilance that almost shut down Beijing’s first Tiki bar, a fate averted thanks to some resourceful new owners and bartenders who stepped in to save it. “When I discovered Tiki Bungalow was closing in 2018,” manager Davy recalls, “I joined [the team] to help preserve one of my favorite spots in the city.”
The Tiki Bungalow & Cocktail Bar has relocated numerous times since debuting in 2015, but it was devoted locals like Davy who kept it going when the original expatriate owners departed from China.
Today, Davy, with his long hair, tattoos, and Aloha shirt, presides over the bar hidden down a narrow corridor beside a concrete wall, to the left of the craft brewery Peiping Machine. He chuckles as he recounts the reactions of patrons who stumble in, often exclaiming, “Wow, Beijing has its own Hawaii!”
The Bungalow stays faithful to its Tiki bar roots, featuring rattan-covered walls, masks, and various decor. Davy mentions that its style and drinks have earned it the nickname "the Office of Hawaii in China." The cocktails are true to Tiki culture too, featuring classics like Mai Tais, Jet Pilots, Zombies, and shareable options like their signature Volcano Bowl, which is Davy’s personal favorite.
It has established itself as a local institution and an expanding brand. Davy shares that he has recently become an ambassador for Giffard China, collaborating on Tiki drinks throughout the country. Their partnerships with nightclubs and other bars for Tiki nights have attracted new clientele eager to experience the Bungalow, whether from nearby or far away.
Tiki Bungalow & Cocktail Bar
46 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District (entrance behind the building to the left of Peiping Machine)
东城区方家胡同46号
Hours: 7pm-2am (Mon-Thurs & Sun); 7pm-3.30am (Fri-Sat)
Phone: 131 4101 5937
Beyond the Bungalow
Tiki Bungalow isn’t the sole Tiki bar in Beijing; others have emerged since 2020. One of these bars describes itself as “Tiki-adjacent,” providing an alternative dive within a traditional courtyard house. In its central garden and rooms filled with antiques, retro decor, and Kung Fu memorabilia, you’ll find potent rum-based beverages.
The Gate of the Nine Dragons leans more towards Kung Fu with a touch of Tiki influence. Laurence Brahm, an American filmmaker and martial arts fan from Hawaii, created this venue as a hub for subculture to foster youth creativity in music and the arts. Regular symposiums in the garden and concerts in a small converted bomb shelter beneath a rock garden feature are commonplace.
Growing up in Honolulu, Brahm gained respect for the Tiki idols on the island as representations of Polynesian deities, shaping his views on the subculture. He frames it as an embellishment of Tiki idols rather than a reflection of reality.
Brahm was also exposed to the storied past of Chinese Triad secret societies, many of which operated their own Kung Fu schools—several of which still exist—and aided Sun Yat-sen in establishing the Republic of China. Chinese enterprises also monopolized sugar production in Honolulu, creating a link to the Tiki world.
Keeping this history in mind, the drinks at this bar draw inspiration from legends of secret societies connected to Kung Fu and narratives of Old China. Rum plays a significant role, as seen in the Triad Boss, featuring white rum, banana juice, and coconut; and the Lotus Ladies, made with black rum, summer fruits, and other delightful flavors.
Gate of the Nine Dragons
寻找功夫九龙门书院
9 Dongsi Liutiao, Dongcheng District
东城区东四六条9号
Contact: 010 8401 8886
Tiki at The Local
If you venture beyond the hutongs, you'll uncover another Tiki treasure, although it doesn't fit the traditional Tiki bar mold.
Enter The Local, a two-story establishment located in the city’s top nightlife area, Sanlitun. This bar and restaurant embodies an American vibe, complete with beer, burgers, wings,
In the hutongs of Beijing and Sanlitun, there are three bars that provide a gateway to paradise.