8 Liangmahe South Rd (west of Sanlitun North St), Utopia Map, It really is a boat floating in a canal next to the street. Popular Fri gay night with rainbow flags flying, campy 70s disco videos and super classic gay dance beats (Grace Jones pulled up to the bumper while we were there). There's a chef barbequing aft. Gays hang out on the upstairs fore deck until critical mass is reached on the main floor dance area. There's also a bar area in the hold which was dark on our visit, perhaps intentionally. One of the funkiest, friendliest bars in Beijing. They are hoping to grab more gay customers on other nights of the week and turn it into a proper gay club, but it's very popular with friendly straights, even on gay night. 亮马河南路8号 (三里屯北街西)

Comments from Utopians:

"The Boat has officially launched itself as a gay bar 7 nights a week. They are looking to attract those who don't like the noise and smoke, with outdoor decks as well as indoor dance floor. The hot summer nights make this a great alternative to Destination for those who want to sit and chat." -- ecyc02, Jul 9, 2009

LW-12 Solana Park, #6 Chaoyang Park Rd, Utopia Map, email, 5905-6213. Walk along the southern edge of the exterior of the Solana shopping complex and follow the walkway all the way to the lake where you will see a neon sign for the "bar street." Lantung is on the edge of the lake, next to Sex in Da City. Thu gay night, with its extended 2-for-1 Happy Hour, attracts the trendy gay crowd from 10pm onwards. The roof top pavilion and the lake-side seating are both fantastic. Classic dance beats. Nice mix of handsome local hot bods and in-the-know expats. 北京市朝阳区 朝阳公园西路 蓝色港湾 LW12 Utopia Member Discount

The Opposite House, 1 Sanlitun Bei Rd, Sanlitun, Utopia Map, 6417-6688. The Thu gay night crowd has moved on, but this world-class bar and its spectacular Japanese-designed hotel setting are still worth a visit for fans of contemporary design. From the non-lobby which is more a Chinese modern art museum, to Mesh's Duchamp-inspired collection of resin castings of plastic drinking bottles, The Opposite House is pure eye candy. Ask to see the rooms and the stainless-steel swimming pool. 地址　三里屯北街　１号　

Comments from Utopians:

"Mesh did change the hours for Happy Hour on Thu, but you can still see the 'creme de la creme' hanging out there. I still think it's a great place to be." -- samandjet, Jun 18, 2009

"Happy Hour now stops at 9pm and as a consequence the gay crowd has shifted elsewhere." -- ecyc02, May 13, 2009

HAIDIAN

B/F 12 Yumin Lu, North Madian Flyover, North 3rd Ring Rd, Utopia Map, 8225-0548, email. Beijing's only gay bar for bears and their admirers. Difficult to find as the entrance is actually via what looks like an air-conditioning vent in the parking area of a tall building near the intersection. Look for a free-standing, raised and tiny glass box with a green neon sign that says "bar". Yes, it does rather seem like entering Dr Who's telephone booth. Once inside, descend the stairs down to the main floor. The club is on two levels. 1/F has booth and bar seating, with a small stage for karaoke, performance and even a bit of dancing if things get going. 2/F is balcony seating for overspill on Fri and Sat nights when the club is busiest. Mixture of young, mature, muscle and chubs. Friendly and some English spoken. 北京市朝阳区马甸桥北裕民路12号中国科技会展中心院内元辰鑫酒店大门东侧20米 Utopia Member Discount

OTHER AREAS

B/F Xing Fu Hotel, 39 Xing Fu Dajie (inside the 2nd Ring Rd, reached from larger Guang An Da Jie south of the Beijing Train Station), Chongwen District, Utopia Map, 5120-5555, 133-1151-1755, email. Walk into the Xing Fu Hotel and go down the stairs on your left (sign may not be lit, but the bar is open nightly). The name is a pun on local slang for top (one) and bottom (zero). Shows, dances, karaoke, etc. Don't expect much English to be spoken, but it's a good chance to practice body language. 北京市崇文区幸福大街39号幸福酒店B1

Comments from Utopians:

"I have been to Tenbar several times. The bar is well-equipped with the latest KTV equipment. The 8+ private KTV rooms in the back are busy every evening and packed on weekends. Well-attired, fresh-faced waiters. The range of ervices available is similar to those generally found on any of the popular gay bar streets in Bangkok. Although all the attendants strive to communicate in English, it is a struggle for most. If you want to curl up on a brisk winter evening to discuss the theories of a parallel universe, they may not be the your best source of dialog. But if you are looking for a friendly handshake, a warm smile and the tender attentions of gorgeous and quite professional servers, you'll like Tenbar. I have never met another foreigner here. Persons fresh to the scene may find the serving staff a bit assertive. Once you are known as a regular, the pressure subsides. The smiles are genuine, service is responsive and bar drinks priced to offer great value. As is common in China, guests are encouraged to buy a bottle of a favorite distilled beverage. What is not used is stored for your use on another visit. Management seems very responsible and service is well-organized. All the high-end name brands of spirits are offered for sale, whether customers actually enjoy the genuine article is a matter best left to the tastes of discerning buyers. Cold beer is a safe and reliable choice. Light snacks - especially the fresh fruit plate - are a welcome treat as the evening wears on. No cover charge. Cold local beer runs about Y$25 a bottle. If you ask one of the many cute professional attendants to be your personal companion for the evening in the public area of the bar, they request a stipend to compensate management. Their tastes in beverage run toward the pricey (sales commissions may possibly be a part of the attendants' pay plan). Come to an agreement before you order. Discreet expressions of romantic affection are common in the public rooms of the bar, but seem more genuine and passionate at tables sporting a half-used bottle of Chivas. Fri and Sat nights are wonderful fun. Audiences are younger and more expressive than those usually seen in similar Beijing venues. The drag review starts about 10pm and lasts for at least a couple of hours. The quality varies, but the entertainment is characterized by bawdy jokes, very talented dancers, and beautiful singers. The finale is always a cute comedy skit. As the bar empties, it is hard to miss how many close and lasting friendships have formed in just a single evening. Romantic couples move to the elevators serving the hotel above the bar, or rush off in the night to the nearby Destination Bar or other after-hours venues. If you are a bit patient when you call, eventually you'll connect with someone who speaks a little English." -- wally4, Jul 10, 2009

Golden Sun Commercial Hotel, lower level, Utopia Map. Admission is free, no cover charge. Drinks are reasonably priced. 北京宣武区西便门内大街85号

Comments from Utopians:

"Drag shows Thu-Sun nights beginning about 9pm. Prior to each performance the room starts filling with Utopians who enjoy socializing in a KTV atmosphere. Volume and sincerity characterize the vocals. Occasionally there's a masterpiece, though (worth the wait). The club's cozy 'speakeasy' atmosphere is not recommended for the fastidious, those who fear second-hand smoke or those who demand, say, clean restrooms. The restrooms are a bit cruisey but the puddles of water on the floor dampen the excitement. There are lots of private nooks and hallways in this basement labyrinth. After-show revelers are often seen adjourning to the reasonably-priced hotel rooms upstairs. Admission is free, no cover charge. Drinks are about Y$20 for local beers and Y$10 for soft drinks and water. I have never seen anyone asked to buy a minimum number of drinks. Perhaps this welcome accounts for the large crowds on weekends. There are usually about 200+ enthusiastic fans. I have been 8 nights over the months and have seen just one other westerner here. It is very much a local crowd. The cordial, clever, and sometimes very attractive performers greet arriving guests and wait on the tables before the show. Patrons are there for an unsophisticated good time. The usual crowds of MBs seem to stay away - perhaps actively discouraged. The non-stop drag performance begins at 10:30pm and lasts until 12:30am with no intermissions or breaks. Performances are reminiscent of vaudeville stage shows. Witty, multi-talented comedians warm up the crowd with (sometimes racy) humor. Very attractive, drag-attired models typically begin the show with a fashion review, rousing enthusiasm as they parade through the crowd. Nicely costumed and well-trained dancers perform ethnic and contemporary dances at a professional level. Singers mimic pop performers, sing classical Chinese folk songs and perform Chinese Opera standards. Music is KTV-style, but the stage singers' voices are beautiful. Enthusiasts often walk on-stage during performances rewarding their favorites with Y$100 tips. Otherwise, as throughout China, there is no tipping required. The show always ends with clever skits from traditional Chinese tales, rendered in a naughty, slapstick style. I didn't understand a word that was being said, but body language is 90% of communication. Westerners should probably go with Chinese friends. The larger the group, the more the M/C 'picks on' you. It is all very good-natured, but unsavvy Westerners might not get into it the first time. As with everything else on the gay scene, the event is a movable feast. Performers are not very well paid, they drift from one venue to another. Quality here is good, but some nights are better than others. The one constant is the cordiality, good humor and excitement." -- wally4, Jul 10, 2009

7 Gongti Xi Lu (near the Workers' Stadium), Utopia Map. If you are coming from other parts of Beijing and using the subway, get off at Dong Si Shi Tiao Station, choose the exit that takes you to Gong Ren Ti Yu Chang (Workers' Stadium), walk along Gong Ti Bei Lu, you should go past the Asia Hotel, then the indoor stadium (Ti Yu GUAN), turn right immediately into Gong Ti Xi Lu, and walk for a bit, Destination will be on your right. Gay club nightly. Cool sound and lighting system and dance floor. The staff have been re-trained, given new uniforms and there's a new and friendly attitude from security. They've added a 2nd floor and renovated the main floor. 东城区　工体西路　７号　

Comments from Utopians:

"Destination is the bar/disco to be at, especially on weekends. It has taken over the Thai restaurant next door, so it is even bigger and better, except that entrance charges are now at least Y$60 (including one drink). If there is a special event or DJ it can go up to Y$100." -- ecyc02, Feb 25, 2009

133-6689-1433, email. Close to Ba Jiao Subway Station. Popular gay singing club with many handsome waiters. The first gay KTV in west Beijing.