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The Hump Bar

The Hump over the Himalayas Hostel’s relaxed rooftop bar offers an excellent location to have a drink while taking in a great view of Kunming’s city center. The bar provides an opportunity to compare notes with other travelers in a laid back, informal atmosphere.  Any inform...

The Hump over the Himalayas Hostel’s relaxed rooftop bar offers an excellent location to have a drink while taking in a great view of Kunming’s city center. The bar provides an opportunity to compare notes with other travelers in a laid back, informal atmosphere.  Any information, advice, or helpful tips can be obtained and/or discussed here. You can also enjoy a game of pool or table football and the bar’s convenient location near several discos.  While the author certainly does not endorse corporate fast food chains, the Hump also happens to be across the street from McDonald’s, one of Kunming’s only 24 hour eating establishments.


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Also see:

The Hump Over the Himalayas Hostel
The Hump Over the Himalayas Hostel’s Website.

Located in Jinbi Plaza in the most popular hostel in Kunming.  If taking a taxi tell the driver "jinbi guang chang."

Castle Bar

Castle Bar is lively on weekends and can become packed during special events. However, during weekdays staff members often outnumber customers.
 
On a typical Friday or Saturday night Castle Bar sees a mix of Chinese bar-goers, foreign students and middl...
Castle Bar is lively on weekends and can become packed during special events. However, during weekdays staff members often outnumber customers.
 
On a typical Friday or Saturday night Castle Bar sees a mix of Chinese bar-goers, foreign students and middle-aged expats. Most come for a cheap place to drink and dance with a group of friends.  A free VIP card grants access to ten yuan bottles of Qingdao and other drink specials. The pool table is always free but don’t expect perfectly straight cues.
 
How to get there:  Castle Bar is right next to the Gulou Subway Station, adjacent to a McDonalds and almost within view of The Drum Tower (Gulou, 鼓楼).  It is on the east side of Central Road (also known as Zhongyang Lu).

Big Bamboo

Big Bamboo is a great western style sports bar with dark wood décor with good old American posters (I particularly like the poster of Jack Daniels), and a menu that will satisfies the classic western sports bar experience.  Despite being a large two story bar, the space is divided int...

Big Bamboo is a great western style sports bar with dark wood décor with good old American posters (I particularly like the poster of Jack Daniels), and a menu that will satisfies the classic western sports bar experience.  Despite being a large two story bar, the space is divided into several small rooms that make the bar feel intimate. Big Bamboo is a perfect place to bring a bunch of friends and feel like you’re having your own party.

 
Head to Big Bamboo to catch the game of the night on TV. Those seeking some more physical entertainment should locate the the shuffle board table, darts, or the pool table.  Don’t miss out on the generous Happy Hour either which features 20RMB well drinks and beers from 2-8pm everyday.  Weekends tend to get pretty busy, but during the week it shouldn’t be too much trouble to pick up a game of pool or darts.
 
The manager is great and the waitresses are very attentive. There might even be too many waitresses, but they do their job well nonetheless. They’ll make sure you’ve always got a drink in hand.
 
Call ahead to make sure the game you want to watch is on TV.  They have should have all the big games. If not shown live, they will at least be re-broadcasted.  They even play ice hockey games once a week!
 
How to get there:  Take Metro Line 2 to Jingan Temple station.  Exit onto Nanjing Rd, and head east towards the Bund.  After about 10 minutes take a left on Tongren Lu.  Then take a right on Nanyang Lu, Big Bamboo is on the right side just down the block a bit. The bar is directly behind the Portman Ritz-Carlton, but it is not possible to walk through the Ritz to go to the bar.

Cotton Club

For those who prefer to listen to jazz in a notably relaxed atmosphere, Cotton Club is the place to be. The music is a bit more blues and soul than rival

For those who prefer to listen to jazz in a notably relaxed atmosphere, Cotton Club is the place to be. The music is a bit more blues and soul than rival CJW, and the lighting is low and unpretentious. Musicians are foreigners, established within their own right and of an exceptionally high quality. The jazz is authentic and boy, it is loud. Don’t sit near the stage if you want to keep your ear drums intact.

Cocktails cost around 50RMB with bottles of beer around 30-40RMB. Cotton Club features a real wooden bar with delightfully stereotypical moody bartenders. I will honestly buy anyone a drink who can coax a smile out of the gal with glasses!! Cotton also has wooden booths.

Cotton Club emits the feeling that it’s totally cool to stop by wearing a jeans and a T-shirt and just enjoy some jazz. Those with tastes that are marginally more high brow than that should probably stick with CJW.

One the weekends be sure to reserve a table in advance, as the music commonly goes on well after 1am.