In recent years, the vicinity of the Bird's Nest Stadium has become home to some excellent craft beer bars. Many of these are located on the Moonlight Pier along the Yangshan River. With plenty of outdoor seating and most bars within walking distance of one another, it's an ideal location for a mini pub crawl while enjoying the spectacular views of the Olympic Park and its iconic sites.
**OVERTONE**
First on the list is Scottish brewery OVERTONE, which opened a second location on the pier in September of last year. Situated at the north end of the pier, it offers plenty of outdoor seating and an indoor area for colder months. They have 16 of their excellent craft beers on tap, with new seasonal brews frequently added. The latest addition is the Beijing-themed Central Axis Hazy West Coast IPA (RMB 58), featuring a blend of Sequoia, Mosaic, and Rakau hops that combine the juicy haze with the crisp character typical of a West Coast IPA.
In addition to beer, their menu includes an assortment of cocktails, wine, and soft drinks, alongside great food options, including their popular burgers, which earned them the #13 spot in this year’s Juicy Burger Cup. They also offer classic bar snacks like Fish and Chips (RMB 68), salads, pasta, and more.
**OVERTONE**
6 Hujing Xilu, Chaoyang District (first bar on the north side of Moonlight Pier Beer Garden)
朝阳区湖景西路6号月色码头啤酒花园北侧第一家
Hours: 4.30pm-1.30am
Phone: 134 8883 7154
**El Nido**
Moving south from OVERTONE, the next bar is El Nido, which also opened a branch here last year. Their location near the Bird's Nest features a spacious indoor area with two floors and ample outdoor seating along the pier to enjoy the stunning views.
They offer a rotating selection of over 20 beers on tap, as well as expertly crafted cocktails thanks to their collaboration with Fang Bar. On the food side, their menu mainly features bar snacks like chicken wings, fried chicken, and fries, as well as more substantial main dishes and cheese and cold cut platters.
**El Nido**
Unit 3, Moonlight Pier, 6 Hujing Xilu, Aoyuncun Jiedao, Chaoyang District
朝阳区奥运村街道湖景西路6号月色码头三单元
Hours: Sun-Thu, 2pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 2pm-3am
Phone: 186 1136 0664
**Peiping Machine**
Continuing further south, you will find Peiping Machine, which established a branch on the pier in 2022. It features a spacious indoor area, outdoor seating along the pier, and additional seating on a rooftop deck. They offer more than 16 beers on tap, with recent summer additions like Stacked Clouds Doubly Hazy IPA, Yuzu Waves West Coast IPA, and Breeze Hop Lager. Besides beer, they provide wine, cocktails, and soft drinks, along with their renowned Beijing Roast Duck Jianbing (RMB 58).
**Peiping Machine**
Moonlight Pier, 27 Datun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区大屯路27号月色码头
Hours: 4.30pm-1.30am
**Bonus: Goose Island**
This Goose Island branch isn’t right on the Moonlight Pier, but it’s nearby, just northeast of the other breweries. The location features a large terrace area out front, and the interior decor exudes the same gastropub ambiance as their Solana branch. They have over 15 craft beers on tap, alongside their usual offerings of delicious burgers, snacks, and more.
**Goose Island Taproom**
Bird's Nest branch
Beichenhui Northwest Corner, Beichen Xilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区北辰西路北辰荟西北角
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am
Phone: 185 0055 4655
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Images: Uni You, Dianping
In recent years, the vicinity of the Bird's Nest Stadium has seen the emergence of several excellent craft beer bars.