Resting across the street from April Gourmet, 50/50 is a trendy little cocktail bar to add to your list of Xingfucun haunts.
Directly up the stairs from the entrance lies a cozy, dimly lit open space with no-frills decor and a small private party room in the back. 50/50 put most of their resources towards an impressive back bar, which features all kinds of unique high-quality whiskies, gins and agave spirits which can accommodate both avid spirit connoisseurs and newbies alike.
The menu features a wide array of classic cocktails and punchbowls, as well as a few tasteful variations on those said classics, all at modest prices. Drinks are substantial and impressively feature noteworthy base spirits and modifiers that are surprisingly above the average offerings we were expecting.
They also offer a rotating menu of their more innovative seasonal libations like the Basic Bish (RMB90), an ideal winter elixir made with rum, maple syrup and pumpkin puree, and the Unusual Pig (RMB90), which is a highly unorthodox negroni made with bacon-infused Campari, mezcal, vermouth and a bit of spice. We also tried the Twerk (RMB80): a punchy concoction of mezcal, yellow-bell-pepper juice, yellow chartreuse and lime juice topped with a Thai chili tincture. The drink was vegetal, savory and a bit spicy — but not overwhelmingly so.
Location-wise, 50/50 is just far away enough from the heart of the Sanlitun cocktail scene (a convincing selling point). What’s more, the menu, service and decor are relaxed and earnest, a refreshing departure from the ever-present turn-of-the-century waistcoat-and-jazz bars that have saturated the Beijing bar scene. All of this makes 50/50 worth a visit – and a great place to escalate a date after those initial beers at Jing-A Brewpub.
[Images via 50/50]
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