Mas Bar

Mas (meaning ‘more’) is slap-bang between Dongzhimen and Gulou, an area seriously lacking in serviceable bars – we’re talking a desert here; Daffy Duck slaking his thirst on fantasy booze mirages. Decent cocktails cost 40-55 RMB, house wines are charged by the glass (30 RMB), and Tiger Beer costs 30 RMB. A choice of five daiquiris (50-55 RMB), the overly sweet ‘susu sour’ (45 RMB) with ice ball (alas, not carved) and a fine Caipirinha (40 RMB) mark a cocktail menu that’s 30-plus strong. Daily happy hours (6:00 – 9:00 pm), with 30 RMB mojitos among others, and 10 RMB Beijing Draught, should further entice.
On the downside, Mas's décor is charmless – the mismatched mini furniture looks like it came from a child’s play set – the free tapas is predictably awful, and it’s pretty small inside. An adorably dinky terrace seats just a pair of tables, forcing those stuck indoors to gaze enviously. However, location is everything, and here Mas is the king of all it surveys.