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.

Old Bar is a perfect place to relax with a few friends in a quiet setting over beers, a bottle of wine, or some tea. Indoor and outdoor seating  is available, and the interior is divided up into many smaller and larger areas, some with couches, to allow for a wide selection of private seating options. Old Bar doubles as a comfortable tea house and/or cafe by day. Domestic and imported beers range from 10-30 Yuan while coffee and tea run the gamut of prices. Cocktails (~25-30 Yuan) and bottles of wine (minimum 75 Yuan) are available as well.

Old Bar is located in the trendy Yulin neighborhood in the southern part of Chengdu. It is just a few meters down the street from Little Bar. From Renmin Nanlu (人民南路） in the southern end of Chengdu head west on Yulin Donglu (玉林东路，East Yulin Street). It will eventually become Yulin Xilu (玉林西路，West Yulin Street). Old Bar is about a 10-15 minute walk from Renmin Nanlu.

Formerly Carol's on the River, Carol's Too has opened at a new location on Renmin Nanlu in the heart of the bar district in Chengdu's southern end.  A quiet Mexican restaurant by day, Carol's really picks up at night, especially on the weekends, with a crowd that runs the gamut of Chengdu residents. Chinese students and businessmen, foreign travelers, teachers, and expats are all found drinking and dancing the night away at Carol's. The music is almost entirely Western, featuring mostly mainstream pop and hip-hop. There is a sizable dance floor complimented by two floors of seating as well as plenty of outdoor tables. Large bottles of Carlsberg cost Y15 and draught pints cost Y20. 

Carol's Too is right on Renmin NanLu, Chengdu's main thoroughfare, across from a strip of tiny bars. It is on the east side of the street, located between the sports arena and the American Consulate road.

Babi Club is currently the hottest club in town. Young Chinese and foreigners alike come here to wear their sunglasses at night. Patrons do their best impression of dress styles as seen in MTV’s raciest videos. DJs mix beats from around the world from decades past and present. The kids could hardly care though as the dance floor is packed until the sun comes up. There are actually two separate sections of the club that try to play contrasting styles of music. There is no admission fee, but beers are Y30 and mixed drinks start at Y40, so drink before you come. Private tables are available as well.

Fashion and Mix Clubs are right next door to Babi within the very same building. These spots fill up on weekends and play music similar enough to Babi. Drinks are a tad cheaper at these two than at Babi.

Babi Club is on the south 2nd ring road, west of Renmin Nanlu. Since you’ll be headed there after the buses have shut down, just hop in a taxi, and say "Babi", the driver should know where to go. The clubs are across the 2nd ring road and a bit to the west from the Yulin Life Plaza (Yulin Shenghuo Guangchang, 玉林生活广场).

For more than 10 years, Little Bar has been a stronghold of the Yulin neighborhood. The interior is dimly lit and the walls are covered with post-modern art in all shapes and sizes. The bar attracts a more mature crowd when compared with other local hangouts. Professionals, artisans, and foreigners frequent the bar with their friends to discuss current trends and events and forget the day’s hardships. Everyone is a friend at Little Bar. Thankfully patrons are also able listen to soft beats played at a very agreeable volume. The Beatles, Lee ’Scratch’ Perry, and the Theivory Corporation are just a few of the tasteful musical selections put on by the staff. Chinese beers are Y10-15 while imported beers range from Y20-30. Bottles of red and white wine along with a full selection of liquor are available for Y15-40 per drink. A few snacks are available, but there is no real kictchen. Weekends often feature live bands from around Asia, so keep an eye out for advertisements around town.

Directions/Address: 55 Yulin Xilu (55 West Yulin St.), take a bus or taxi south on Renmin Nanlu. As soon as you pass the Sichuan sports arena after crossing the south 1st ring road, make a right on East Yulin St. Follow the street a few blocks and eventually you will arrive at Little Bar on the right-hand side. 

The laidback, liberal atmosphere at Hemp House makes it a great destination to relax with friends. Two floors are filled with cushy couches, arcade games, and a pool table. The music is an enjoyable mix of reggae, modern and progressive rock, and new wave. China’s most popular beer, Tsingtao (Qingdao), is available for Y10 (560 ml) along with Qingdao Blacks for Y15.  A full bar is also affordable with mixed drinks ranging from Y15-20. Chat up the bartender, A Qiao, if she is not too busy. Her English is fair, but most importantly she is a free-spirit, always smiles, and wants everyone to enjoy themselves. On weekends there is often live music including notable Chinese rock and reggae musicians or local Chengdu hip-hop battles. On random weeknights or quiet afternoons locals like to bring their own instruments or pick up any of the percussion instruments lying around Hemp House’s small stage. Impressive jam sessions have been known to stir up.

Hemp House is less than 2 kilometers east of Tianfu Square, located at the intersection of Tianxianqiao and Dongdajie. If you take a taxi or ask someone for directions, just say or write down "Dong Men Da Qiao" (东门大桥）. The bar is on the south side of Dongdajie. Go up 2 flights of escalators and Hemp House is on the 3rd floor.

Those seeking a taste of a true Chinese club should check out Kakadu, however you probably won’t stay long. The lack of air conditioning is not aided by the fact that at least three waitresses breath down your neck harassing you to order expensive drinks. Beers cost Y25-30, but you can purchase 6 for Y80, or 12 for Y120. The staff will bring the beers all at once, and they won’t be very cold either. Liquor is equally pricey. The reportoire of blaring Chinese techno re-mixes only seems to last about an hour, before you start hearing the same songs again, or at least the same samples. Once you are sufficiently drenched in your own sweat, don’t hesitate to leave, the scene stays the same as the night drags on.

Kakadu Club is on the south 1st ring road on the south side of the street. It is number 16 on the ring road’s 3rd section.

THE REGGAE BAR IS UNFORTUNATELY NOW CLOSED IN FAVOR OF A NEW SHOPPING MALL. WHO NEEDS A SOULFUL LITTLE BAR WHEN BIG BUSINESS CAN MAKE THE RICH EVEN RICHER? (sarcasm)

The name speaks for itself. Patrons let their heads bounce to the smooth and easy reggae beats that only let up when the bar shuts down. Only the friendliest of foreigners and Chinese frequent the Reggae Bar, so leave your problems, worries, and enemies outside. 528 ml Chinese beers are only Y8.

The bar is set back from Renmin Nanlu a bit on the east side of the street just south of the 1st ring road. It is across from the Sichuan sports arena.