Chinese New Year has a special way of emptying major metropolises, leaving them almost devoid of life and about as lively as a Yo-Yo Ma concert.
This is particularly true in Guangzhou, where a large portion of residents – many of whom are migrants from other provinces – head back to their hometowns to drink, eat dumplings and light up the sky with colorful explosions.
Many expats living here also choose to mount an escape, using the vacation days to venture off to beaches in the Philippines or the jungles and temples of Cambodia – or anywhere the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of Chinese tourists and revelers aren’t found.
Others of us stay put in Canton. If it is your first time hanging around for Spring Festival, be forewarned: lots of stuff closes for the holiday. Your local dumpling and street barbecue folks will probably head out of town, the wet market across from your apartment will likely be shuttered and locked and even some of your favorite foreign-owned establishments may close their doors for a day or two.
To help those of you hanging around Guangzhou figure out what is open, we’ve talked to some of the city’s best known pubs, cafes and eateries to find out when they will be operating during the holiday.
Tianhe District
APF Cafe
While usually open 10am-9pm, APF will be operating on slightly reduced hours from January 27 till February 2, opening at 11am and closing at 7pm.
Aroma Bistro
This Tianhe eatery will be closed from January 25 until February 3.
Bravo
Bravo will be shutting its doors for the Spring Festival holiday from January 24 until February 1.
The Brew
The Brew Zhujiang will be open daily from 11am-1am, opening on Sundays at 10am to serve brunch.
See listing for The Brew Zhujiang.
CA1
This Zhujiang cafe will be open regular hours over the holidays, opening at 7.30am and shutting shop at 10pm.
Feel More Coffee and Bagels
This temple to coffee and bagels will temporarily shut its doors for CNY, closing from January 27 to February 3. Back to business as usual February 4.
See listing for Feel More Coffee and Bagels.
Ginstar
This Tianhe eatery and pub will operate reduced hours from January 28-31, open from 5-10pm.
The Happy Monk
According to proprietor Jeremy Sargent, all Monk locations will be open normal hours throughout the holiday. Normal hours for most locations are 10.30am-2.30am on weekdays and 10.30am-3.15am on weekends, the exception to this rule is the newest Monk restaurant, Kingold, which will open at 8.30am to serve breakfast (starting January 18).
See listings for The Happy Monk.
Hooley’s Irish Pub and Restaurant
Open every day of the holiday, regular hours are from 10am-1am.
See listing for Hooley’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.
Lotus
The cocktail bar will be open from 2pm-2am during the holiday (except on Jan 27, 28, 29, when it will operate at shorter hours, which have yet to be determined) and the entire month of February.
M9 Restaurant Lounge
Open daily from 6pm-2am over Spring Festival.
See listing M9 Restaurant Lounge.
McCawley’s Irish Pub
Open normal hours, from 10am to 1am during the week and until 2am on weekends.
See listing for McCawley’s Irish Pub.
Morton's Grille
This ritzy new steakhouse will be open normal hours during CNY, from 11.30am to 11pm (last order).
See listing for Morton's Grille.
Paradise India
This Liede curry shop will be open regular hours over Spring Festival, from 11.30am-10.30pm.
See listing for Paradise India.
Paulaner Brauhaus (Tai Koo Hui)
Open daily from 11.30am-midnight, although the restaurant may close earlier if there are no guests.
See listing for Paulaner Brauhaus.
The Tavern Zhujiang
The Tavern will be closed from January 26 until February 1.
Tristan’s CalMex and Bar
If you want to get your taco fix over CNY, be forewarned: Tristan’s is closed on January 26 and 31, as well as February 1-2.
See listing Tristan’s CalMex and Bar.
Rebel Rebel
Closed on January 28, but open for business as usual the rest of the holiday.
Social&Co.
Closed from January 27 to February 3.
Somewhere Else
Like Social&Co., its sister establishment, Somewhere Else will be closed from January 27 to February 3.
See listing for Somewhere Else.
Yuexiu District
The Brew (JSL)
Open daily from 4pm-1am.
The Happy Monk
According to proprietor Jeremy Sargent, all Monk locations will be open normal hours throughout the holiday. Normal hours for most locations are 10.30am-2.30am on weekdays and 10.30am-3.15am on weekends, the exception to this rule is the newest Monk restaurant, which will open at 8.30am to serve breakfast (starting January 18).
See listings for The Happy Monk.
Hope & Sesame
This cocktail haven will be closed from January 27 until the 29, reopening on the 30th.
See listing for Hope & Sesame.
Lock Chuck Coffee
This notable cafe will be open over the Chinese New Year holiday, albeit with reduced hours. Lock Chuck will be open from 2-5pm from January 27-29 and 1-5pm on January 30 and 31. Normal hours will resume February 1.
See listing for Lock Chuck Coffee.
Prism
Over the holiday, Prism will be open from 1pm-2am, although dinner will not be served from January 27-31 (guests can still enjoy the afternoon tea and evening cocktails).
Haizhu District
Ginstar
This Haizhu eatery will be closed from January 28-31, reopening on February 1.
The Pizza Factory
One of our favorite Guangzhou pizza parlors, The Pizza Factory will be open regular hours (from 10am-10pm) over the CNY holiday.
See listing for The Pizza Factory.
Suns
One of Party Pier’s busiest nightclubs, Suns is expecting to remain busy over the CNY holiday. The club will be open regular hours (aka until the sun comes up, no pun intended).
Uncle Sushi
Open from 11.30am-midnight (at least) daily throughout the CNY holiday.
Panyu District
American Pie Pizza
American Pie’s Clifford location will be closed from January 27 till February 2, while it will be business as usual at the restaurant’s Country Garden location.
See listings for American Pie Pizza.
The Brew
The Brew Panyu will be open daily from 11am-1am, opening on Sundays at 10am to serve brunch.
See listing for The Brew Panyu.
Hollywood-Mama's Pizza
Open daily from 5.30pm-2am over Chinese New Year.
See listing for Hollywood-Mama's Pizza.
Lao Yang
This Panyu dumpling shop will be closed from January 27 till February 2.
See listing for Lao Yang Dumplings.
Did we miss your restaurant, bar or cafe? Send our digital editor an email (matthewbossons@urbanatomy.com) and we will add you to our list.
Check back regularly for updates!
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