Sep 2: Smart Drinking 10th Anniversary 

AB InBev is a big deal. So big, in fact, that they’ve got superstar Eason Chen backing their ‘Smart Drinking’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the effects of drunk driving and binge drinking. This month, to celebrate the campaign’s 10th anniversary, AB InBev is hosting a public screening of their short film Smart Choice, where Chen himself will speak.

Sat Sep 2, 6.30pm; Yongdingmen Park, 18 Dongbinhe Lu, Dongcheng 东城区东冰河路18号永定门公园 

Sep 2-15: 10 Years of Dumb

An exhibition celebrating Ballistic Architecture Machine (BAM) – an award-winning art, landscape and architecture studio in Beijing – 10 Years of Dumb showcases a decade’s worth of crazy hijinks by a “group of likeminded individuals nearly expelled from architecture school,” according to their press release. The group’s risks have paid off with their art installations garnering praise both locally and internationally. BAM attributes their success – and mistakes – to their “admittedly dumb strategy” of saying yes to everything. 10 Years of Dumb highlights artworkds from past exhibitions and culminates in a birthday party on Sep 15 evening, co-hosted by BAM’s good friends dART. The party promises grand installations, audio-visual arts and live acts.

Sat Sep 2-Fri Sep 15, 10.30am-6pm; Tabula Rasa Gallery, see event listing.

Sep 3: Treasure Trove 

Check out Cultural Keys’ (CK) first ‘treasure trove’ market at Culture Yard. As the name and venue suggests, there’s going to be a lot of culture on display, with CK claiming the trove to be “Beijing’s most international and eclectic market.” Pick up clothes, shoes, jewelry, art, food and more.

Sun Sep 3, 1-7pm; free; Culture Yard, see event listing.

Sep 3: Liron Man @ Space Cycle 

Handpan maestro Liron Man graces funky Taikoo Li gym SpaceCycle with a special handpan concert. The percussion may sound familiar to regular SpaceCycle goers as Man provided the instrumentals to various classes last month. This time, however, Man and handpan are center stage. No dancing, no sweating – simply sit and enjoy the magic.

Sun Sep 3, 5-6.15pm; RMB100 (advance), RMB140 (door); Space Cycle, see event listing.

Sep 6: Traditions & Transitions

The hutongs may be almost unrecognizable thanks to the great demolition of 2017, but that’s not going to stop The Hutong from exploring the past and future of their namesake. Join the bastions of all things cultural for Traditions and Transitions: A Walk and Discussion in the Hutongs of Dongcheng. Find out about the history of the hutongs and what lies ahead.

Wed Sep 6, 10am-1pm; RMB260; Beixinqiao subway meeting point (limited spots, sign up at www.thehutong.com)

Sep 7: Free the Robots

LA-based artist Chris Alfaro wants you to free some robots, ostensibly by dancing for their return to the sound of his musical project, Free the Robots. In addition to advocating for the rights of the artificially intelligent, Alfaro bumps a mind-bending mixture of hip-hop beats and electronic music, with moments of jazz and psychedelia. No word yet on whether there will be robots at the show.  

Thu Sep 7; tickets TBD; Dada, see event listing.

Sep 7-9: And Give Us the Shadows

This month, The Royal Dramatic Theatre presents Swedish play And Give Us the Shadow as part of NCPA International Theatre Festival 2017. The story portrays a day in the life of a literary genius, who ends up taking his addictions, illnesses and hard-knocks background out on his family.

Thu Sep 7-Sat Sep 9, 7.30pm; RMB180-RMB500; Drama Theatre of NCPA, (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com), see event listing.

Sep 8: Rachael Yamagata  

Yes, Rachael Yamagata is a songwriter described as ‘soulful.’ We know many songwriters are described as ‘soulful.’ But hear us out: Yamagata isn’t just any old singer with a guitar and emotions, she’s one of the best. With haunting vocals, deeply confessional lyrics and folk-rock vibes, Yamagata has the ability to touch even the most apathetic listener.

Fri Sep 8, 8.30pm; RMB260 (advance), RMB320 (door); Yugong Yishan, see event listing.

Sep 8: Cocktail Cinema 

Shanghai event organizers Social Supply (see p17 for our interview with its founders) partners with Hatchery to bring its famed Cocktail Cinema nights to Beijing. The event includes a film screening of Daft Punk’s Interstella 5555, as well as specially designed cocktails by Warren Pang (Janes & Hooch and Canvas). Tickets are limited.

Fri Sep 8, 8-11pm; RMB250; secret location to be revealed three days in advance (tickets via www.eventbank.cn/event/11074; for more info email camden@socialsupplyshanghai.com)

Sep 9: Penicillin

Join Chinese indie rockers Penicillin as they celebrate the release of their debut album Embrace the World. The punk-inspired trio are bona fide #millennials, all born in the 90s and penning songs about quintessentially 20-something topics like studying abroad, dreams of traveling and, of course, love.

Sat Sep 9, 9pm; RMB120 (door), RMB100 (presale); Yugong Yishan, see event listing.

Sep 9: Beijing Hiking Festival

September has arrived and you know what that means: Beijing Hikers’ annual hiking festival. The festival is split into two hikes: a marathon-esque 24km hike and a more easy-going 10km walk. As always, the treks take place in the beautiful environs of the Great Wall and its surrounding valleys. And, as always, the festival culminates in a celebration involving beer and snacks for all participants. Hikers are free to walk at a ‘fast speed’ or a ‘fun speed.’ A reasonable level of fitness is required (especially for the 24km marathon hike) and the hike will go ahead regardless of air quality. Booking and payment deadline is Sep 1.

Sat Sep 9, 6.30am (24km), 8am (10km); RMB700 (24km), RMB500 (10km); Agriculture Exhibition Center meeting point (sign up at www.beijinghikers.com)

Sep 10: 2017 Shape the Future 

Bitcoin is hot (see That’s Beijing, Sep 2016). Find out what all the hype is about at Blockchain Global Summit. The event brings together more than 80 guest speakers, including blockchain experts from all over the world, as well as the world premiere of the first Bitcoin documentary in China (Bitcoin – Shape the Future).

Sun Sep 10, 9am-6pm; RMB1,280-3,888 (free for students over 18); Sofitel Wanda, see event listing. For more info and to register visit http://bitkan.com/event.

Sep 13: TOY

Once branded by The Guardian as ‘London’s hottest new hypesters,’ TOY is set to take Beijing on a journey through Krautrock, post-punk and psychedelia, with music that sounds like a (groovy) lesson in rock history. Added bonus: all five of these dudes have killer shaggy haircuts. Seriously, check out that 70s fringe. Listen and watch at Yugong Yishan, where the band are stopping off before their slot at Shanghai’s Concrete and Grass festival. Support comes from China’s own hot hypesters, Hedgehog.

Wed Sep 13, 9pm; RMB150 (advance), RMB200 (door); Yugong Yishan, see event listing.

Sep 13-14: Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina is brought to life by the Saint Petersburg Eifman Ballet, who will perform Boris Eifman’s ballet of the Tolstoy classic. Rather than cover all of the novel’s secondary storylines, Eifman’s ballet instead focuses on the famous love triangle between Anna, Karenin and Vronsky. The ballet will be performed as part of NCPA Dance Festival 2017.

Wed Sep 13-Thu Sep 14, 7.30pm; RMB160-880; Opera House of NCPA, (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com), see event listing.

Sep 16: Telefon Tel Aviv

Experimental electronic music duo Telefon Tel Aviv has seen hard times – the project is now a solo one, after the death of member Charles Cooper in 2009. But now, other-half Joshua Eustis has kept the project alive with new material that’s just as edgy and exciting as before. Expect a night of epic glitches and synths.

Sat Sep 16; tickets TBD; Dada, see event listing.

Sep 23: Recycle

Recycle are Beijing pop-punk legends. And now, after 16 years together, the iconic band are back with a new album and the obligatory accompanying tour. Expert a more adult version of their time-honored punk sound.  

Sat Sep 23; RMB100 (door), RMB80 (presale); Yugong Yishan, see event listing.

Sep 23: China AIDS Walk

Looking for something special – and benevolent – to do this September? How about a walk on the Great Wall for charity? China AIDS Walk comprises a walk and other activities that aim to raise awareness and money to help support people affected by HIV/AIDS in China. From now until the end of September, keep an eye out for hikes, parties, gatherings and other activities. Save the date September 23 in particular, we are told. Funds raised will go towards the production of articles and videos, organizing training sessions for young people to understand HIV/AIDS and gender equality, constructing a national network of local stations of the China AIDS Walk and organizing public campaign and advocacy activities related to HIV/AIDS.

Sat Sep 23; Great Wall (for more information and to donate get in contact with the organizers via – WeChat ID: ChinaAidsWalk; chinaaidswalk.cn; martin@bghei.org; 5229 3801)

Throughout September

Sat-Mon: King Salmon

For a limited time, Mai Japanese Restaurant at The Westin Beijing Chaoyang is offering fresh king salmon from New Zealand as part of their #EATWELL campaign. King salmon is truly the king of salmons, and now, while it’s in season, it has a brighter color and fresher taste, which Mai’s chefs will complement with specially created recipes.

Sat-Mon through October; Mai Japanese Restaurant, The Westin Beijing Chaoyang.

Daily: Qui Si Beve    

Star bar Janes & Hooch is hosting Qui Si Beve, a pop-up featuring Cocchi, the Italian producer of world-famous vermouths and aromatized wines. Sample everything from seriously strong negronis to fun (and still strong) slushies. Our fave is the Star Master, served from jugs and even a 7-Eleven-style slushy machine. So, an unexpected bonus: zero wait time. 

Daily, 8pm-2am; Janes & Hooch.

Weekends: Surf & Turf Brunch 

Feast (Food by EAST) is now offering its Surf & Turf semi-buffet for brunch. That’s right – that means all-you-can-eat oysters, Boston lobsters, mussels and crab legs, plus made-to-order mains like fluffy pancakes and the classic Eggs Benedict. Oh, and Champagne. Because of course.  

Weekends, 11.30am-3pm; RMB 388 per person; Feast (Food by EAST).

Wednesdays: Āotū Screening

After falling victim to the Beijing Brickings a few months ago, the place formerly known as Aotu Studio is back and better than ever. The fresh new digs include a cafe and, as before, hosts regular art exhibitions and performances. Hit up āotū space on Wednesday nights for its weekly film screenings. Recent movie selections include Andrea Arnold’s American Honey and Japanese drama Kids Return.

Wednesdays, 8-10pm; free; āotū space, 67 Beixinqiao Toutiao, Dongcheng 东城区北新桥头条67号 (8408 4189)

Have an event to list? Head here to list your upcoming event. We’ll choose the best new additions to feature on next week’s edition of ‘What's On in Beijing.' Not sure where to start? Here's a full guide on how to list your upcoming events on our website.