Tucked away in an unassuming side street, a few blocks east of the popular nighttime hangout Taigucang Wharf, sits a seemingly out of place late-night destination: Dragon & Phoenix Street Bar, fittingly named after the neiborhood it resides in (Longfeng Jiedao).
Despite its relatively hidden location, we notice the bar well before reaching the entrance, as the enchanting, pink neon lights lure you away from the otherwise dimly-lit road.
A relatively new establishment, Dragon & Phoenix Street Bar has been open for less than six months. At the moment, only the ground floor is in operation, with the second set to open in about two months.
There are two beers on tap: Tiger (RMB32/500 milliliters) and Hoegaarden (RMB58/500 milliliters) – both at prices that seem fitting for the more frequented pubs of Zhujiang New Town, but a bit steep for this low-key backstreet bar.
Image by Matthew Bossons/That's
Dragon & Phoenix also has a respectable collection of whiskeys. Though the menu lists only 29, the owner tells us that there are over 40 and the shelf behind the bar does seem to boast a huge selection (though we couldn’t be bothered to count).
Top shelf liquors must be purchased by the bottle, with the rest going for RMB50-65 per glass. Ask the laoban for his favorite and he’ll proudly bring you a bottle of Ardbeg Uigedail.
As it is still in the developing stages, there are currently no major meals available for order. And while there is a selection of snacks, they are not particularly cheap: peanuts will put you back RMB18, while offerings like spicy chicken feet, chicken wings and Japanese-style pizza go for RMB38, and fire beef or six-flavor French fries cost RMB58.
Customers are primarily Chinese locals, and while it was quiet inside during our visit, the manager assures us that it was packed for the World Cup final the previous night.
Image by Matthew Bossons/That's
The bar hosts live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with rotating musicians playing RnB, jazz and pop – all in English. There’s also four TVs scattered throughout the space, and a private room in the back that can be booked via Dianping, although it’s free to take if it isn’t being used.
If you forgot to clean up before your date, not to worry, the washroom is stocked like a 7 Days Inn, with mouthwash, sanitary pads, Q-tips and toothpicks – all that’s missing is a toothbrush and toothpaste.
If you’re looking to get away from the crowded bars of Tianhe and Taojin to relax at a watering hole that’s still flying under the radar, Dragon & Phoenix Street Bar is a safe bet.
But if you’re hoping for under the radar prices, we recommend grabbing a couple cans from the closest C-Store and taking a stroll through the lovely surrounding neighborhood before heading inside.
Price: RMB50-65 for whiskey, RMB33-58 for draft beer
Who’s going: Haizhu locals, people who got lost on their way to Taigucang
Good for: sipping whiskey, escaping the expat bar crowd.
Nearest metro: Fenghuang Xincun (Exit A), 10 minutes
Open daily, 6pm-2am; see listing for Dragon & Phoenix Street Bar.
[Cover image by Matthew Bossons/That's]
0 User Comments