Bar
Atmosphere
A cocktail bar on the 80th floor of the China World Summit Wing in the CBD, billed as Beijing's highest, with city views, live acts and…
Blue Note Beijing
The Beijing branch of New York's Blue Note jazz club, opened in 2016 underground at 23 Qianmen East Street, with live jazz most nights and French dining.
At a glance
- Type
- Jazz club
- Area
- Qianmen, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
Good to know
- Live jazz most nights
- Two sets per evening
- French dining
- Underground concert hall
Why we recommend it
Blue Note Beijing is the first Chinese branch of the Blue Note jazz club brand, which began in New York and later expanded to cities including Milan, Tokyo, Osaka and Hawaii. The club opened in 2016 at 23 Qianmen East Street in Dongcheng, a site that Beijing's tourism office describes as the former location of the US embassy in Qianmen. The club occupies two basement levels of Building F.
The design was by Chiasmus Partners and, according to the architecture site e-architect, covers 2,680 square metres. Visitors enter from an inner garden and walk down a grand staircase to a lobby with a jazz shop and café, then along a long, narrow corridor lined with a timeline of jazz history. A blue staircase with a curved ceiling leads down to the main hall, where about 240 movable seats surround a stage that is wider than it is deep, with seven boxes on an upper level. The kitchen and bar can serve around 300 guests.
Performances take place nearly every night, featuring jazz singers, musicians and orchestras from China and abroad. Each evening is usually split into two sets with separate admission, and ticket prices depend on where you sit. A cheaper brunch concert is sometimes held on Saturdays. The club serves French food and drinks, so you can make a full evening of dinner and a show.
Book tickets in advance, and choose your seating when you buy, as the price varies by location. The programme changes constantly, so check the line-up before you go.
The club suits jazz fans, couples on a night out and anyone looking for an evening that goes beyond a bar. It is also a good option on a cold or rainy night, as everything happens underground.
The location is close to Tiananmen Square and Qianmen Street, so dinner at Quanjude or Duyichu beforehand is easy, and Mandarin Oriental Qianmen and the MUJI Hotel are in the same Qianmen area. Lao She Teahouse, on Qianmen West Street, offers a contrasting evening of traditional Chinese performance nearby. For a more intimate jazz session, East Shore Live Jazz Café by Houhai is another long-running venue.
Blue Note Beijing FAQs
Where is Blue Note Beijing?
In the basement of Building F, 23 Qianmen East Street, Dongcheng.
When did it open?
In 2016. It is the first Blue Note club in China.
How often is there live music?
Nearly every night, usually in two sets.
How much are tickets?
Prices vary by seating location and performer.
Is there food?
Yes. The club serves French food and drinks.
Are there daytime shows?
A brunch concert is sometimes held on Saturdays.
How big is the main hall?
It has about 240 movable seats plus seven boxes on an upper level.
What is the building's history?
The site is described as the former location of the US embassy in Qianmen.