Jah Bar (Home Bar)

Lifelong Sichuan resident Lili did not open Jah Bar to make money. He opened this riverside bar just last month to create a haven for travellers, musicians, artists, and free-thinkers. Whether they are local to Chengdu or just passing through Lili hopes they will stop by to join him and his extended group of friends to play music, share stories and tips, or just relax on the plentiful sofas. After many years spent as a painter, musician, worker, and outdoors lover, Lili now aims to run a bar which mirrors his minimal and simplistic lifestyle.  Soothing home brewed red tea, Qingdao beer, a special Jah Bar fried rice, and egg pancakes with ketchup on the side are available for just 10 Yuan.
 
The name Jah Bar actually has 3 meanings. The first refers to the obvious Rastafarian name for god. The second is ’jia’ (家), the Chinese word for home, and similar in sound to ’Jah’. This name reinforces Lili’s goal of creating a home-like atmosphere for all of his guests. The last is ’home’, which like the Chinese word, reiterates the same mission for all foreign guests.
 
Every Friday night is a live musical performance, often featuring Lili with his harmonica and guitar. The ambiance is perfect, and each patron brings a more interesting story than the next. Be sure to pay a visit to Jah Bar when in Chengdu.
 
How to get there: Jah Bar is located on the south side of the Funan river on Linjiang Lu (临江路） very close to Lao Nan Men Bridge. Jah Bar is across Jiangxi Jie, the main street, from the impossible-to-miss big boat. Walk south on Nan Da Jie (南大街）, and go left as soon as you cross the river. From the south on Jiangxi Jie (浆洗街）, make the right turn right as you hit the river. Jah Bar is just a few meters from the main street. Look for the bar’s small red lights.