The interior of Line Bar is a bit like one of those classy opium dens of yore, with a mix of traditionally styled Chinese furniture that can be a little awkward with your knees constantly bumping underneath.

There are already so many places in this area that create crafty signature drinks, and it can be hard to outdo many of the more established joints like Hidden House with similar prices and quality.

We first ordered up the Line Special (RMB 70), which is a mixture of vodka, passion fruit, pineapple, and lemon, and turned out to be a refreshing choice on a muggy day. The presentation was nice, served in a metal mug and garnished with pineapple leaves and a halved passion fruit spewing its delicious innards on a bed of ice. After this, we gave the Bloody Mary a whirl (RMB 70). It was bloody and tasty but also a tad too strained and lacking in the obligatory vegetable and pepper debris.

Check out this bar if you live in the area or if you just want a serene place to drink and work. In this increasingly competitive market of classy places to get sloshed, we can’t think of much that sets this place apart from the crowd, but they do provide quality drinks at a standard price and great service in a relaxing environment, and that’s half the battle.

Line Bar
Daily 7pm-1am. 18 Xinzhong Jie (in the alleyway to the right of the Golden Pineapple International Hostel), Dongcheng District (158 0122 5611)
东城区新中街18号

Also try: Ming Bar, Hidden House

Photos: Ken