Opposite to Heng Fu Court, on Heng Fu Road. This is a real bar-no disco lights, none of the glitter that you find in some of Guandzhou's other extravagant bars, just rows of tables for sitting down with your friends and enjoying a pint.

In the middle of the room is a unique round bar with a small private seating area above. Plenty to keep yourself entertained: a live Philippine band kicks in every night from 22:00 to 1:00. Or if you prefer to throw a few darts, they have several electronic boards around the place.

H/H is from 19:30 to 21:30 where you can pick up a pint at RMB 30 or a dozen bottles of most imported beers at RMB 240. Don't ask me why, but Qingdao is on the pricey side at RMB 350 a dozen. A bottle of Guinness goes for RMB 35.If you have a thirst for the hard stuff, they sell Absolute Vodka by the bottle at RMB 250.

Once a week they have a lucky Draw with the winner receiving a bottle of foreign brand liquor.

Opened from 18:00 to 6:00

155 Hengfu Lu/83509303

The Place II

Down the street from the Garden Hotel on Huanshi Road is a bar unique from the others that line the strip.

The décor is simple and there is plenty of seating on two levels to relax and have a few pints. The staff is friendly and seem to be keen on making sure that you have a good time.

If you're looking for heavy music, go next door, the only sounds that fill this bar are light rock with hits from the 70's to the 90's cranked out every night by the DJ, and a folk band that pops in later at 21:30 till 1:00 every night to provide some live entertainment.

There's cozy bar in the back separated from the noise and the chatter. There you will find ample booth seating and a circular bar in the middle of the room.

Beer are RMB 396 for 12 bottles with another 6 free.

Open from 20:00 to 2:00

360 Huanshi Dong Lu /83880059

Color Bar

On Huanshi Road half a block up from the Garden Hotel. Opened in July 2002, offers another place for a quite, relaxing drink, well at least until 23:00 when the place starts to fill up.

Sit outside on the balcony overlooking the crowds below-the bars is on the 3rd floor, or step inside and slide into one of the booth covered with leopard skin cloth. Interesting!

Enjoy the music, a mixture of popular local music and western tunes, pumped out by the DJ every night. Entertainment also includes a live dance show every night.

Good selection of local and imported beers. Prices range from RMB 119 a dozen for Budweiser up to RMB 420 for Guinness.

Opened from 20:30 till late

358 Huanshi Dong Lu/83856230

Peace Road

Behind the Holiday Inn. The theme is RED. Walk through the huge iron gates and up the red carpet, up the walkway and under the 20 or so red lanterns and into the red converted villa.

Enjoy live music every night from 22:00 to 00:30 on the G/F with singing and dancing. Or pop up stairs where they have another singer-nice place to hangout, as the music tends to be quieter than on the 1st floor. Every night they invite different singers to perform. All the entertainers are from the Xinghai Art School.

Some outdoor seating in the garden where they also have a performance on a Chinese Zither from 22:30 to 24:00.

For the up-coming National Day, they will be having a special performance. When we asked what it was, they said it was a secret. Hmm, wonder what it could be? RMB 360 for 12 beers with 6 free or RMB 180 for half a dozen with 3 free-except Friday and Saturday. RMB 30 per bottle for all beers except Guinness.

Opened form 18:00 to 2:00

2 Heping Lu/83581760

(Southcn.com November 28, 2002)