Article By XIANEASE
Though our readers ask us many questions about the whos, whats, wheres, whys and whens of Xi’an, we seem to get one question more than the others: “where’s a good rooftop bar?” It’s easy to understand why—Xi’an’s warm, dry nights are conducive to an evening of al fresco boozing, and there are few feelings quite as empowering as being on top of a building, literally looking down on people. Since we’re getting into the summer months, let’s update our list of rooftops you can get drunk on
01 TRAVELLING WITH HOSTEL ROOF BAR 阅城瓦舍
Stairs are the name of the game here—four flights of them, to be more exact—but the Roof Bar at Travelling With Hostel is an oft-overlooked gem that is worth the climb. Once just another ramshackle watering hole, the giant metal patio they’ve installed provides a great platform for a few drinks with friends, and rises just high enough to get a great view of the city skyline.
Address:
No.21 Shuncheng Alley, inside Zhuque Gate, Beilin District
碑林区朱雀门里顺城南巷21号
Phone: (029) 8726 2670
02 TASTY HOUSE 奇妙屋
Tasty House lives up to its name with a small menu of delicious comfort foods (Xi’an’s best burger? It just might be.) and now that the weather is a bit nicer you can get away from it all on its secluded second floor deck. It’s got a bit of shade, so it’s not as exposed as some of these other places which would make it great for a bit of afternoon drinking, and they’re almost always screening some kind of movie up there.
Address:
No.37, San Xue Street, Beilin District.
碑林区三学街37号 长安学巷口
Phone: (029) 8962 9386 152-9118-2999
Hours: 3:00pm-Midnight
03 Mt. South Brewery Bar 南山精酿
Speaking of beer bars, Mt. South is a great option for those looking for a more diverse or high-end experience. With twenty beers on tap and gourmet food on the menu, you’ll be spoiled for choice. If you’re (very) lucky, you’ll also get a great view of the mountains from atop their roof.
Address:
Roof top, 4# building, Yun Long Da Sha, Bai shu lin.
东大街柏树林十字云龙大厦4号楼顶楼
(金帝宾馆和墨寒广告中间楼道电梯上12楼)
Phone: 150-9175-0946
Hours: 4:00pm-2:00am
04 云 YUN BAR
Yun Bar will be a breath of fresh air for people who are tired of the same-old-same-old “beer and South Gate” song and dance routine. Tucked down in Xiaozhai, you’ll get a nice change of locale, and some great cocktails at affordable prices.
Address:
2F, Opposite of Yu Cai Middle School, Hang Gang cheng, Xing Shan Temple.
兴善寺东街海港城育才中学对面2层云吧
Phone: 177-8283-8031 187-9256-7167
Hours: 8:00pm-2:00am
05 MAPLE HOUSE @ THE GRAND HYATT 亚洲烧烤(西安君悦酒店)
And lastly, this year’s pick for “I don’t particularly want to drink I just want to be on top of some building somewhere,” the Grand Hyatt’s Korean restaurant, Maple House, is a good choice. It has great fusion cuisine, Korean barbecue and wonderful terrace seating, including some private villa-type dining rooms for you maniacs who want to be on a roof even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Address:
12#, Jinye Ludong Jie.
锦业路12号 西安君悦酒店5层
Phone: (029) 6563 5155
Hours: 11:30am-2:00pm
5:30pm-10:00pm
Know more Xi’an top five? Send an email to top5@xianease.com or go to www.xianease.com and leave a comment.