The Old What Bar

If you’re familiar with the Beijing music scene, the elder statesman of rock bars will need no introduction. But, unlike ageing stars, Old What doesn’t tinker with the favorites: This place is small, friendly, and loves to rock out.

The bar is staffed by music-lovers, not mixologists, but the drinks aren’t too bad (mixed drinks 30RMB; a pint of beer 20RMB). On the weekend, Old What gets loud – seminal Beijing bands such as Carsick Cars and Snapline played their first-ever gigs here, and still occasionally drop by the place – and the bar continues to offer its tiny stage to punk, experimental and noise bands every weekend. But on weekdays, Old What is also the perfect spot for a bit of refreshment in the nearly beerless no man’s land between Tiananmen Square and Jingshan Park.