East Shore Live Jazz Cafe

Date: Everyday from 11 am

Venue: 2 Qianhai Nanyan Lu

Price: 100-199 yuan

Boasting dark wood paneling and floor-to-ceiling windows offering an eyeful of Houhai, this small jazz dive defines urban sophistication. Started by Liu Yuan, Cui Jian's former saxophonist, it's the most authentic jazz joint in town, featuring top acts from Thursday to Sunday. In warmer months, arrive in time to take in stunning sunset views from their second-floor terrace. When Liu Yuan started playing the sax, jazz was still seen as bourgeois and chord charts were hard to come by. Raised by folk-musician parents, he performed with Cui Jian, the father of Chinese rock, before dedicating himself under the influences of John Coltrane and Miles Davis to jazz. Now Liu's East Shore is the most promising venue in Beijing's budding jazz scene.

Contact: 400-610-3721