It’s quite a rare thing for a bar to be hip and accessible at the same time, but District Bar & Kitchen somehow manages it.
Headed up by Midwesterner (by way of Brooklyn) Clara Davis with support from the Duvel Moortgat brewery group, District aims to be a neighborhood bar with a self-described dose of ‘American nostalgia.’ Thankfully, this theme is mercifully subtle, imbuing the place with a laidback Brooklyn cool that veers far from the realm of pretense.
There are cocktails (including a nice off-menu whisky sour), but beer is order of the day here. The bar features eight rotating taps (due to change every few months); currently featuring brews from Boulevard Brewery (from Davis’ native Kansas City), Vedett, La Chouffe and Liefman’s Fruitesse (a bright pink, fruity beer served over ice).
While the selection is concise, what’s available is good, and enough to entertain moderately serious beer drinkers. Our favorite was the Boulevard Pale Ale (RMB30/45, small/large).
For eats, the kitchen offers a menu of snacks and beer-appropriate dishes. We were particularly fond of the freshly roasted pork rinds (RMB15), served piping hot and doused with salt and chili powder.
There’s also more substantial dishes available – such as their rendition of mac 'n' cheese (RMB45), with caramelized cheddar and house cured bacon.
For healthier palates, the leaves and grains salad (RMB50) was packed full of quality ingredients: baby kale, quinoa, shaved Parmesan, baby tomato, lemon and olive oil. Healthy without being too worthy.
The Midwest Cuban sandwich (RMB60) also made the grade, hot pressed with pork loin, napa cabbage slaw, pickles, honey mustard and sweet potato chips. Next time we plan on trying their steak sliders (RMB70).
Overall, District is a very easy place to be in. Perfect for bringing groups of friends for casual drinks, it captures the vibe of that neighborhood bar you wish were on your own block. And if you happen to live on Yuyuan and Wulumuqi Bei Lu, you’re in luck.
Price: Beers from RMB30 (daily happy hour from 5-8pm, RMB10 off all draft beers)
Who’s going: hipster expats and locals
Good for: beer, casual drinks, groups
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