6 Xingfu Yi Cun Hutong (opposite the North Gate of the Workers Stadium), Utopia Map, 6413-0086. Upstairs in ALFA's 2/F lounge on Fri nights only. Admission fee includes a donation to the Beijing LGBT Center and one free drink. Buy-one-get-one-free from 9:30pm-midnight. Fun specials on occasion (such as free shots whenever Lady Gaga sings after midnight). Pool table, romantic nooks and crannies. 25yo+ local and expat crowd who have graduated from Destination and are looking for new gay options.

Comments from Utopians:

"It is gay night on Fri but still very mixed. Nice atmosphere. It seems to me that people there know each other, and they are mostly local. Keep in mind that the Happy Hour discount is only on cocktails." -- Vietin, Aug 27, 2010

The Opposite House, 1 Sanlitun Bei Rd, Sanlitun, Utopia Map, 6417-6688. The Thu night gay crowd (mostly the expat portion as this 5-star bar is expensive) starts their evening here about 10pm before heading over to Lantung by midnight. This world-class bar and its spectacular Japanese-designed hotel setting are well 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　

B112, West Tower, Shangdu SOHO, 8 Dongdaqiao St, Chaoyang Dist (1km north of the Yongan Li Station, Line 1; 200m north of "The Place"; and 300m southwest of 2010 Bar), Utopia Map, 159-1050-8964. Take the stairway (giant piano keys) down to B/F and the club is on your right. One of Beijing's best gay nightclubs, especially on Sat night when it is packed with a young, macho and bearish crowd in their 20s and 30s. A basic black box with green lasers for accent, excellent dance music from their DJ and gymnastic pole dancers who hit the stage at 11pm. "So" is a pun on the Chinese word for "search." If you like your Asian guys masculine and huggable, then this is where you can narrow (or widen) your own search. Entry price includes a drink. The wait staff are excellent, efficient and friendly. 北京市朝阳区东大桥路8号SOHO尚都西塔B112

OTHER AREAS

Aihua Hotel, Tiantandong Li, Yi No 48, Chongwen Dist (50m north of China Chess Academy, near Yutingqiao North on South Second Ring Rd), Utopia Map, 5120-5588, 5120-5566 email. 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. Locals warn to be careful of MBs who ply their trade here. Well-equipped with the latest KTV equipment. The 8+ private rooms in the back are busy every evening and packed on weekends. Well-attired, fresh-faced waiters. 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 Ten Bar. The smiles are genuine, service is responsive and bar drinks priced to offer great value. 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 available. 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 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. Open 7pm-2am. No cover charge. 北京市崇文区天坛东里乙48号,爱华宾馆内,10酒吧（中国象棋馆以北50m，南二环玉蜓桥北附近）

Golden Sun Commercial Hotel, lower level, Utopia Map. 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. Large crowds on weekends (usually about 200+ enthusiastic fans). You are likely to be the only westerner here. 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 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. Westerners may want to go with Chinese friends. The larger the group, the more the MC will pick on you. It is all very good-natured. Quality here is good, but some nights are better than others. The one constant is the cordiality, good humor and excitement. Admission is free, no cover charge. Drinks are reasonably priced. 北京宣武区西便门内大街85号

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 busiest on weekends. 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. Very young Freshie crowd these days. 东城区　工体西路　７号　

Comments from Utopians:

"The place is nice but not so many people on weekdays: very quiet and the few people there just drinking by themselves." -- Vietin, Aug 27, 2010

B137 Chaowai Soho Block D (a block of flats just a couple of blocks north of "The Place"), Chaoyang, Utopia Map, 138-1084-5179. 200sqm bar that can hold up to 200 people when full, and outdoor summer seating in addition. Cabaret show at 10:30pm on Wed, Fri and Sat. Staff are all gay. Crowd is in their 20s-30s. Open daily, 8pm-2am.

OTHER AREAS

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.