Located in the quaint and ancient neighborhood of Xiguan, David Strand’s second craft beer cafe lives up to our highest expectations.
For starters, The Strand Xiguan is located at the entrance to Lychee Bay, one of our city’s most scenic and historic areas. (A cool neighborhood to wander around post-boozing? Check!).
“We want fans of our beer and people that drink at our Wuyang location to visit for a change of scenery,” Dave tells us while visiting the bar a couple weeks after its launch. “We want to encourage people to visit the Xiguan area.”
The space also boasts some truly special design elements, including custom-built, wood frame windows on the second floor (yes, it has a second floor) and antique floor tiles from the Republic of China era on the ground level. (Unique spot to drink beer in? Double check!).
Image via David Strand
While designing The Strand 2.0, our fair brewer and barkeep also made a point of connecting the small outdoor seating area, which doubles as a smoking area, with the action going on inside via a large, sliding window at the front of the bar. It’s a design feature utilized not nearly enough in Guangzhou, and allows smokers and people watchers outside to easily order another drink without having to go inside the bar. (Both smoker and nonsmoker friendly? Triple check!).
Image via David Strand
We’d be remiss to forget to mention The Strand 2.0’s top-notch sound system, which on our visit was cranking out an epic playlist of hip hop and rap from the ’80s and ’90s. (‘93 ’til Infinity’? They’ve got it!).
Beer wise, The Strand’s Xiguan location does not deviate too much from the selection of suds on offer at the bar’s flagship location in Wuyangcun. On our visit, the bar only has one offering that is unique to Xiguan: the aptly named Xiguan Session IPA (RMB40/pint). (Dave does mention to us that more Xiguan-only brews will be rolled out in the not-so-distant future).
Image via Matthew Bossons/That's
The Xiguan Session IPA is an easy-to-drink beer that will remind fans of Dave’s beer of his Session IPA, which is available at The Strand’s Wuyangcun location. With an ABV of 4.8 percent, the Xiguan Session IPA has a hoppy aroma that will impress even the pickiest fans of the India pale ale variety.
Those who prefer fruity suds will enjoy the Yangmei Roselle Blond (RMB40). The first yangmei beer produced in China, according to Dave, this delightful, slightly-pinkish beer has a 5 percent ABV and a light, fruity taste that reminds us of summer patio parties back home. (Yangmei is a fruit often referred as a wax berry in English, for those of you that are wondering). This beverage is our favorite of Dave’s inebriating elixirs due to its elegant flavors and sessionability.
Image via Matthew Bossons/That's
If neither of the aforementioned beers tickle your fancy, we’re confident Dave will have something for you on one of his 16 taps, which host a fantastic selection of both house and guest beers.
If you’ve needed an excuse to explore Old Canton, a visit to The Strand Xiguan is it!
Price: RMB40-50
Who’s going: urban wanderers, Xiguan locals, curious tourists
Good for: high-quality local beer
Nearest metro: Zhongshanba (Exit A), 10 minutes; Changshoulu (Exit E), 10 minutes; Ruyifang (Exit B), 15 minutes
Open daily, 6pm-2am; see listing for The Strand Xiguan.
[Cover image via David Strand]
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