Heaven Bar

What is Heaven? For some, Heaven is a half-pipe; to others, a legendary gay nightclub. In Beijing, Heaven is, well, a haven for lovers of cheap, imported beer. The cut-price booze emporium recently moved around the corner from its original location to Xindong Lu, next to The James Joyce, giving it a larger home without losing any of its grimy charm. While the old place was like a hedonist, hipster discount store with a few rickety stools plonked in the middle, Heaven 2.0 feels less like a supermarket and more like an actual bar. Only a bar with beer at stupendously low prices: imported staples like Hoegaarden (15RMB), Erdinger (500ml for 20RMB) and Newcastle Brown Ale (18RMB) are dangerously cheap. Combine this with the wide range of spirits, improved wine selection and various smoking accoutrements – some designed for plants that are a little bit less than legal – and it’s no wonder this place is already a packed den of depravity.

English teachers, students and pretty much any connoisseur of the budget piss-up are to be found crammed around the 20-plus tables. The narrow layout, questionable-looking food – pizza and Mexican dishes are now available – and booths on the mezzanine floor make the place feel like a debauched diner on the voyage of the damned. If that doesn\'t sound appealing, Heaven is still a great place to stock up your liquor cabinet or just grab a small bottle of imported beer on your way home. For some, you see, Heaven is only a half-pint.