Guangzhou isn’t just dim sum and skyscrapers—it’s also a city buzzing with some of the most exciting bars in China.
From speakeasies hiding behind unmarked doors to robot bartenders pouring perfect pints, this city has something for everyone—whether you're a cocktail connoisseur, a craft beer geek, or a natural wine explorer.
We’ve split the guide into three categories: Cocktail Bars for refined sippers, Craft Beer Bars for hop hunters, and Wine Bars for those who swirl, sniff, and sip with style.
COCKTAIL BARS
Hope & Sesame
Image via Hope & Sesame
Tucked away in Dongshankou, Hope & Sesame is the bar that changed everything.
Opened in 2016 as Southern China's first speakeasy by Andrew Ho and Bastien Ciocca, this now-legendary spot has consistently landed in Asia's 50 Best Bars—reaching #14 in 2024 and reigning as the Chinese mainland's top bar for two years straight.
Images via Hope & Sesame
What makes it so special? A fearless approach to cocktail innovation.
Here, rare ingredients, high-tech distillation, and seasonal themes combine to create sips that surprise and satisfy.
It's a place where the bar is both a lab and a stage—and every drink is a performance.
Hope & Sesame, No.58 Miaoqian Xi Jie, Yuexiu 越秀区庙前西街58号自编之一
READ MORE: Hope & Sesame Setting the Bar Higher and Higher
Barising
Image via Barising
Hidden in the East Lake area, Barising is a moody, experimental cocktail den that feels like stepping into a cinematic science lab.
The ambiance is dim, the energy electric, and the bartenders? Clad in white lab coats like boozy scientists behind a sunken, circular bar.
It’s all part of the theatre, where mixology meets molecular magic.
Image via Barising
The star of the show is the ‘Ficus Hirta,’ a daring tribute to old-school Cantonese flavors.
With a base of pure fig root essence, it bursts with creamy coconut aromas and finishes with a layered herbal sweetness that evokes a nostalgic sense of local tradition.
Image via Barising
Another standout is the ‘Egg Nog Sherry,’ a silky, luxurious blend of egg yolk and pear liqueur.
Shaken without ice to avoid unnecessary dilution, this drink lands somewhere between a holiday treat and a nightcap masterpiece.
Barising, Shop 11, No. 55-1, Dashatou Er Malu, Yuexiu 越秀区大沙头二马路55号之一11铺
庵 • Lounge
Image via 庵 • Lounge
For those in search of serenity with their spirits, 庵 • Lounge is the calm in the cocktail storm.
Image via 庵 • Lounge
This Japanese-inspired bar is minimalist and meditative, offering a refined lineup of craft cocktails, premium Japanese whiskies, and ice-cold beers.
Image via 庵 • Lounge
It's a place where elegance is effortless and drinks are designed to be sipped slowly.
Ideal for unwinding or intimate conversations, it's a gentle reminder that great bars don't need loud music—just good taste.
庵 • Lounge, No.76 Tiyu Dong Lu, Tianhe 天河区体育东路76号
Black Bamboo
Image via Black Bamboo
Tucked inside the Canton Place’s leafy urban garden, Black Bamboo is a cocktail sanctuary that transitions effortlessly from elegant brunches to a dimly lit world of after-dark indulgence.
A favorite among those who love their drinks with a dash of drama, this bar is a sensory playground where stories are told one cocktail at a time.
The setting is refined yet inviting, perfect for both intimate dates and stylish night-outs.
Images via Black Bamboo
Start with ‘Love and Bread,’ a playful twist on the classic New York Sour that layers bold citrusy notes with a rich red wine float, then pairs it with a flaky, buttery house-made mini croissant.
Then there’s ‘Every Storm A Serenade,’ a cocktail that reads like poetry. Built on a base of smoky tequila and infused with clarified watermelon juice, this drink is inspired by the scent of Nordic rainfall. Aromatic, clean, and deeply mysterious, it finishes with a lingering freshness that invites interpretation.
Image via Black Bamboo
Want to know what’s in it? Just ask your bartender—but be ready for a riddle.
Black Bamboo, Shop 101, North Gate of Canton Place (Outer ring), Haiming Lu, Tianhe 天河区海明路广粤天地北门101铺 (广粤北门外圈)
CRAFT BEER BARS
Bravo Brewing
Image by Billy Jiang/That's
Step into Bravo Brewing and you're stepping into a flavorful frontier where innovation meets comfort.
This creative beer-and-bites bar isn’t just about pouring pints—it’s about storytelling through flavor.
Image by Billy Jiang/That's
With an in-house brewing setup and nearly ten guest taps, Bravo offers a wide spectrum of styles to suit every taste, from smooth and subtle to bold and complex.
Their ‘Lupulin Press DDH IPA’ is a showstopper—a multi-stage hopped masterpiece bursting with tropical intensity.
Expect a full sensory ride: mango, guava, and passionfruit leap from the glass, followed by velvety peach and citrus notes that dissolve into a refreshing guava sorbet finish.
Image by Billy Jiang/That's
If sour and tangy is your thing, then don’t miss the ‘Berry Guava Sour Ale.’
Inspired by the breezes of Bora Bora, this hazy pink delight delivers a vibrant hit of guava and mixed berries.
The sour yeast zing wakes up your palate, followed by a wave of gentle sweetness that creates an elegant tropical harmony.
Bravo Brewing Zhujiang New Town, Shop 114-115, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe 天河区珠江新城华就路6号114-115铺
Bravo Beer Station (Four Seas City), No.2 Car, LG1 Four Seas Walk, Panyu 番禺汉溪大道东388号四海城西区L1广场02号餐车
DunnBros
Image via DunnBros
Welcome to Haizhu's beer playground.
Opened in 2024, DunnBros is a tribute to obsessive craft curation.
Image via DunnBros
With 12 rotating taps, expect everything from rich stouts and hazy IPAs to tangy sours and seasonal oddballs—each served at precisely the right temperature for maximum flavor.
Their tap list is the result of endless research and passionate collaboration with brewers around the globe.
Image via DunnBros
Bonus points for live music, sports screenings, and an ever-changing tap wall that keeps beer nerds coming back.
DunnBros Taproom, T.I.T Double Fish Haizhu, No.317 Jiang Yan Lu, Haizhu 海珠区TIT双鱼数字文体产业园招商运营中心江燕路317号
The Strand Beer Café
Image via The Strand
Guangzhou's original craft beer hero, The Strand, has been at it for over a decade—and they’re still raising the bar.
Their Wuyangcun branch offers 20 taps, American industrial decor, and a vibe that says, "Stay awhile."
Image via The Strand
Signature brews like the citrusy ‘Wu Yang IPA,’ easygoing ‘Strand Pale Ale,’ and zesty ‘Lime Passion Hard Seltzer’ make this a must-stop for beer lovers who crave substance with their style.
The Strand Beer Café, No.1 Chunfeng Lu, Mingyue Er Lu, Yuexiu 越秀区五羊新城明月二路春风路1号
Yoting
Image by Billy Jiang/That's
Part taproom, part tech show, Yoting is where craft beer meets robotics.
In the heart of Panyu's modern CBD, two one-ton robotic arms wash, chill, pour, and serve your beer with jaw-dropping precision.
Image by Billy Jiang/That's
But it’s not just a gimmick—these beers are seriously good, developed by a team of brewmasters, BBQ experts, and engineers.
Order via QR code and watch your pint delivered like it's straight from the future.
A perfect combo of spectacle and substance.
Yoting, Shop 103-104, 1st Floor, Building R7, Agile Plaza, Nancun Town, Panyu 番禺区南村镇敏捷广场R7栋1楼103-104铺
READ MORE: Yoting: Where Robots Serve Your Beer
WINE BARS
Mono Essence
Images via Mono Essence
If you're serious about wine, Mono Essence is your sanctuary—a cozy, refined retreat for those who appreciate the finer nuances of Burgundy reds and boutique bubbles.
This French bistro-style bar takes its name from ‘monopole’ vineyards, rare single-owner plots known for producing some of the region's most sought-after wines.
Images via Mono Essence
The bar's philosophy is rooted in purity, elegance, and expressing the true character of each bottle.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted by warm wood tones and curved interiors that evoke the inside of a grand wine barrel.
Their climate-controlled cellar boasts over 100 carefully selected wines, with 60% sourced directly from Burgundy.
You’ll also find small-batch Champagnes and a global mix of fruit-forward varietals from other notable terroirs.
The emphasis here is on balance, layers of complexity, and wines that evolve beautifully in the glass.
Mono Essence, Ground Floor, No.40 Canton Place Outer Ring, Qingfeng Lu, Tianhe 天河区清风街广粤天地外街40号首层
Via Capri
Image via Via Capri
A slice of Italy hidden in an old Guangzhou alley, Via Capri is a charming Mediterranean escape named after the picturesque island of Capri.
Tucked away in the historic Huakang Street neighborhood, the bar is a treasure for those who love intimate spaces and distinctive wines.
Its coastal-inspired blue-and-white interiors bring a refreshing lightness to the space, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a seaside cafe.
What sets Via Capri apart is its dedication to natural wine, with an impressive 90% of the collection sourced from Italy.
Images via Via Capri
The owner, Porsche, is not only deeply knowledgeable but also incredibly warm and welcoming, making wine education feel like a friendly conversation.
Whether it’s your first taste of natural wine or your hundredth, Porsche’s guidance transforms every visit into a personal journey through Italy’s vineyards.
The wine list leans toward the funky, wild side of Italian winemaking, celebrating labels that are unfiltered, minimal-intervention, and full of character.
Regulars come for both the unique bottles and the community—Guangzhou’s young and curious wine drinkers gather here to sip, laugh, and learn.
It’s a place where great wine and genuine connection meet, all wrapped in an island state of mind.
Via Capri, Unit 104, No.62 Huakang Lu, Tianhe 天河区华康路62号104室
Rozz-Tox
Image via Rozz-Tox
More than a wine bar, Rozz-Tox is a creative movement. Founded by Philip and inspired by an art manifesto, it blends wine with vinyl and underground music.
With over 1,000 records and a deep catalog of Loire Valley natural wines—including exclusive picks—this is where wine lovers and art kids collide.
Image via Rozz-Tox
Their Coravin system means more options by the glass, making it easy for newcomers to taste and explore.
Expect the unexpected.
Rozz-Tox, 19-3 Shiyounan Er Jie Wu Xiang, Wuyang New Town, Yuexiu 越秀区五羊新城寺右南二街五巷19号之3号
READ MORE: Guangzhou Bar Review: Rozz-Tox
ChugChug
Image via ChugChug
With four locations across Guangzhou, ChugChug is a toast to life’s easy pleasures.
The name mimics the sound of clinking glasses, and the vibe is all about relaxed celebration.
Whether you're into natural wines, craft beer, or just want to unwind without pressure, ChugChug pours every drink with love and a little bit of fun. It’s where wine gets social and everyone belongs.
ChugChug Select, Unit 101, No.78 Tiyu Dong Lu, Tianhe 天河区体育东路78号101铺
ChugChug Combo, Unit C06, 1/F t28PARK, No.79 Xinye Lu, Haizhu 海珠区新业路T28公园里C06铺
ChugChug, Shop101, No.2, Yangang Lu, Haizhu 海珠区燕岗路2号自101铺
ChugChug, Shop 108, Creative Park, Yangang No.1, Haizhu 海珠区燕岗1号创意园108铺
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