Here's the Guangzhou Restaurants & Bars Closing (and Staying Open) for CNY

By That's PRD, January 17, 2017

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.

See listing for APF Cafe.

Aroma Bistro

This Tianhe eatery will be closed from January 25 until February 3.

See listing for Aroma Bistro.

Bravo

Bravo will be shutting its doors for the Spring Festival holiday from January 24 until February 1.

See listing for Bravo.

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.

See listing for CA1.

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.

See listing for Ginstar.

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.

See listing for Lotus.

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.

See listing for The Tavern.

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.

See listing for Rebel Rebel.

Social&Co.

Closed from January 27 to February 3.

See listing for Social&Co.

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.

See listing for The Brew JSL.

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).

See listing for Prism.

Haizhu District

Ginstar

This Haizhu eatery will be closed from January 28-31, reopening on February 1.

See listing for Ginstar.

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).

See listing for Suns.

Uncle Sushi

Open from 11.30am-midnight (at least) daily throughout the CNY holiday.

See listing for Uncle Sushi.

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.