The Tree

No Longer In Business

Almost an oasis where ones thirst can be quenched. A very good range of primarily belgian beers (even though you also can get Tsingtao and Guiness on draught). I tried their De Koninck, Leffe Blond and Guiness on tap and the Maredsous 6 and Achel Bruin bottled. +: Wide selection, proper glasses, waiters know their beers, good food, totally laid back atmosphere -: All beers same temperature (but at least cold, so time will work for you), very heavy smoking indoor (well it’s China), Bottled beers are poured up at the bar (I like to see the bottle - part of the experience). All together it is my favourite beer place in Beijing.

As others have suggested, it is a hard find, but definitely worth it. The map below is not perfectly accurate. Walk along Sanlitun until you reach 3.3 Shopping Plaza. Walk through the main entrance and out the back door (stop and take some cash from the ATM!). Once outside directly opposite you will see ’Youth Club’ (music bar) and a DVD store on the corner with ’Friendship Hostel’ upstairs. Walk down the small lane next to the DVD store, walk past ’Fish Nation’ (fish n chips) and ’The Door’ (hole in the wall bar) and turn left at the end. You will see Sanlitun Community Health Centre - look up, see the tree growing and walk into the courtyard. Voila. It is a good Belgian bar with a juxtaposition of Belgium and China, brown cafe with smoke stained walls and dirty toilets! It has a great selection including De Koninck and Hoegaarden on draft as well as Chimay White (not on) as well a load of bottled beers including my favourite Tripel Karmeliet. Beers are around ¥35-¥50 (€4) and are served quickly and nicely cold on a hot day. The draft Hoegaarden was really thirst quenching. The pizza oven draws the crowds and are thin based wood cooked and are served quick and pretty tasty. The Chinese lseem to love Pizza (and the sweet fruit beers). I was talking to the barman and he says they are opening an extension next door in a few days which will be good to take away the overcrowding around the pizza oven. I had a look inside (upstairs bizarrely) and saw a similar lay-out. It seems more of a sports bar with some big tv’s and a great looking pool table in the middle as well as a Belgian style babyfoot. It has the same beers on tap. The place was full of a mix for expat families, single men at the bar and young Chinese eating and smoking. A lively mix.

Best bar for Belgians in Beijing just ask to have bottle poured at table, an annoying custom that the staff needs to observe! Great pizza! Wireless internet and a very small no smoking room in the back are a plus.

As others have noted - it’s quite difficult to find the place. I had printed the Chinese address from the website and the driver got close enough that I could use beervana’s directions below. Small edit to those directions: Start by facing the front of the 3.3 building. Take the right side street, turn left onto the first cross street, then right down the first alley (the Havana Club is on the right of this alley), then a left and through the gate as described. Once you’re close, you’ll hear a lot of English and can just follow it. Selection is just OK, but of course it’s phenomenal for Beijing (or China, generally). Most of the trappists and ’standard’ Abbey beers. A few lambics and then the basic macros as well. Pizza is great. Great place to kick back and meet other travelers/expats over a good beer.

One of the top Belgian beer bars in Beijing. Western atomosphere and clients. Descent food and a great Belgian beer list for a bar in China. Wireless Internet is a plus.

This pub is located in the Beijing Chaoyang District, specifically at the infamous Sanlitun Bar Street. As mreeves pointed out, this place is not easy to find as it is tucked away in a dark alleyway off of Sanlitun Bei Lu. Your best bet is to ask any Westerner for directions. Otherwise, face the building with the huge 3.3 sign (the one with the huge video screen) and take the right side street and walk past the Kali bar, turn left and it’s through the gate on the left side. The Tree is a relaxed, cosy place with an red-brick interior and subdued lighting. Very popular with Westerners, the beer menu (a book actually) includes an extensive selection of bottled Belgium beers. The limited tap selection included Hoegaarden and Tsingtao beers. Perhaps more surprisingly is the huge pizza oven stuck onto the front of the building. I didn’t try the food but judging at what the patrons were eating and the Western food menu, the offering are way above pub fare. The bartenders very friendly and service was quick. This place offered a much welcomed Western diversion. I enjoyed this place and plan to visit it again on my next trip to Beijing.

Good luck finding this place! It took me forever, but I finally made it. Weird neighborhood, but I bet by the time the Olympics happen in 2008, this will be the happening area in Beijing. Only 4 beers on tap, but an excellent selection of bottled Belgian beers, including such fine selections as Rodenbach, Orval, Rochefort, etc. Bartender was very friendly. I didn’t try the food, but it looks good. Nice Western retreat in the heart of Beijing.