Best Pubs in Guilin: Where Locals Actually Drink

Best Pubs in Guilin: Where Locals Actually Drink

Guilin is famous for its karst mountains and Li River cruises, but the city's drinking culture runs deeper than most visitors realize. If you want to find the best pubs in Guilin, you need to skip the tourist-trap beer halls on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and head to the neighborhoods where university students, expats, and longtime residents actually spend their evenings. I have spent years wandering these streets, and the places below are where the real pulse of Guilin's nightlife beats strongest.

1. Beer Bar on Nanmen Bridge (南门桥啤酒屋)

Tucked along the canal near Nanmen Bridge in Xiufeng District, this open-air beer spot is where construction workers, taxi drivers, and university students converge after dark. Plastic stools line the sidewalk, and the owner keeps a rotating selection of Guangxi-brewed draft beers in large stainless steel kegs behind a folding table. A mug of local draft runs about 8 to 12 RMB, which is practically unheard of in most Chinese cities. The best time to show up is between 8 and 10 PM on a weeknight, when the crowd is relaxed and you can actually hear the person next to you. Most tourists walk right past this place because there is no English signage and no Instagram-worthy decor. That is exactly why the locals love it.

The Vibe? Sidewalk drinking with zero pretense, just cold beer and river air.
The Bill? 8 to 12 RMB per mug of draft, peanuts and dried tofu another 5 to 10 RMB.
The Standout? The Guangxi local draft that you will not find in any supermarket.
The Catch? No indoor seating, so rain or extreme heat can ruin the evening fast.

Local tip: Bring your own snacks from the nearby night market on Zhongshan Road. The owner does not mind, and it is a common practice here. This spot connects to Guilin's working-class drinking tradition, where the canal-side areas have served as informal gathering points for decades, long before the city's tourism boom.

2. MUSE Bar (缪斯酒吧) near Guangxi Normal University

Located on a side street close to the East Gate of Guangxi Normal University in Qixing District, MUSE Bar has been a fixture of Guilin's small but dedicated live music scene for years. The interior is dim, the walls are covered in band stickers, and the sound system is surprisingly decent for a venue this size. Cover charges on live music nights range from 20 to 50 RMB depending on the act, and a Tsingtao runs about 15 RMB. Thursday and Saturday nights draw the best crowds, usually a mix of students and a handful of expats who have been in Guilin long enough to know the rotation of local bands. The detail most visitors miss is that the owner, Lao Chen, keeps a handwritten setlist from every band that has played here going back to 2012, pinned to a corkboard behind the bar.

The Vibe? Grungy, loud, and genuinely passionate about live rock and indie music.
The Bill? 15 RMB for a Tsingtao, 20 to 50 RMB cover on show nights.
The Standout? The Thursday open-mic nights where local singer-songwriters test new material.
The Catch? The ventilation is poor, and the room gets thick with smoke by 10 PM.

Local tip: Follow their WeChat account for the weekly lineup. Shows are rarely advertised on English platforms. MUSE represents the scrappy, DIY spirit of Guilin's underground music culture, a city that has quietly produced more rock bands per capita than most people would expect from a mid-sized Guangxi town.

3. The Brew (酿) on Binjiang Road

The Brew sits along Binjiang Road, the riverside strip that runs parallel to the Li River in the heart of downtown Guilin. This is one of the top bars Guilin has for craft beer enthusiasts, with a curated selection of Chinese craft brews on tap alongside a few imported options. A pint of their house IPA runs about 35 to 45 RMB, and the food menu includes surprisingly good bar snacks like spicy chicken wings and loaded fries. Early evening, around 5 to 7 PM, is the sweet spot before the after-work crowd packs in. What most tourists do not know is that the back room has a small vinyl collection, and if you ask nicely, the bartender will put something on while you drink. The owner trained as a brewer in Chengdu before returning to Guilin, and that Sichuan influence shows in both the beer recipes and the snack menu.

The Vibe? Modern, clean, and a little more polished than most Guilin drinking spots.
The Bill? 35 to 45 RMB per craft pint, snacks 20 to 40 RMB.
The Standout? The house IPA with a hint of osmanthus flower, a nod to Guilin's city flower.
The Catch? Weekend nights get crowded and loud, making conversation difficult.

Local tip: Ask about their seasonal brews, which rotate every few weeks and are never listed on the main menu. The Brew reflects Guilin's slow but real shift toward specialty drinking culture, a city that is gradually moving beyond mass-produced lager.

4. Lazy Diner & Bar on Dongxi Alley (东巷)

Dongxi Alley is one of Guilin's oldest surviving residential lanes, and Lazy Diner & Bar occupies a converted ground-floor unit that still has the original tiled courtyard visible through a back window. This is a local pub Guilin regulars treat as their living room, a place where the same faces show up three or four nights a week. Cocktails run 30 to 50 RMB, and the kitchen serves a hybrid menu of Western comfort food and Guangxi-inspired small plates. Weeknights after 9 PM are when the energy peaks, with the owner, a Guilin native who spent five years working in Shanghai bars, mixing drinks while chatting with every regular by name. The hidden detail is the courtyard out back, accessible through a narrow corridor, where a few extra tables sit under string lights and a massive banyan tree.

The Vibe? Intimate, unhurried, and deeply personal.
The Bill? 30 to 50 RMB per cocktail, mains 40 to 70 RMB.
The Standout? The Guilin rice noodle spring rolls, a fusion dish that actually works.
The Catch? The alley is hard to find at night. Use the glowing red lantern near the entrance as your marker.

Local tip: If you go more than twice, the owner will remember your usual order. That is not marketing, that is just how Dongxi Alley works. This place embodies the old Guilin spirit, where neighborhood relationships matter more than turnover, and a bar is an extension of someone's home.

5. Beer Academy (啤酒学院) near the Second Bridge

Sitting close to the Second Bridge over the Taohua River in Xiufeng District, Beer Academy is a no-frills beer hall that caters to a loyal local crowd. The space is large, with long communal tables and a wall of taps featuring regional Chinese craft beers you will struggle to find elsewhere. A 500ml pour costs between 20 and 35 RMB, and the kitchen turns out solid bar food, think grilled skewers and fried squid. Friday and Saturday nights after 10 PM are peak hours, when the place fills with a mix of young professionals and older regulars who have been coming since it opened. Most tourists never find this place because it is on the second floor above a convenience store, with only a small sign at street level. The owner is a former chemistry teacher who got into homebrewing as a hobby and never looked back.

The Vibe? Communal, loud, and unapologetically local.
The Bill? 20 to 35 RMB per 500ml pour, skewers 3 to 8 RMB each.
The Standout? The sour plum beer, brewed in-house and only available here.
The Catch? The stairs up are steep and narrow, not ideal after a few drinks.

Local tip: Try the "flight" option, four small pours for about 50 RMB, which lets you sample the full range. Beer Academy is part of a growing network of small Chinese craft beer spots that are reshaping where to drink in Guilin, offering an alternative to the Tsingtao-and-baijiu default.

6. Lijiang Bar on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street

Yes, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is touristy, but Lijiang Bar has managed to stay relevant to locals by keeping prices reasonable and the music at a volume that allows actual conversation. Located midway down the pedestrian strip, it occupies a two-story space with a small balcony overlooking the foot traffic below. Beers start at 12 RMB, cocktails at 25 RMB, and the menu includes a decent selection of both Chinese and Western bar food. The best time to visit is early evening, between 6 and 8 PM, before the tourist groups flood the street and the staff shifts into high-volume mode. What most visitors do not realize is that the second floor has a quieter room with board games and a small library of English and Chinese books left behind by years of travelers. The owner rotates the collection seasonally, and you are welcome to take a book if you leave one in return.

The Vibe? A rare tourist-zone spot that still feels approachable.
The Bill? 12 RMB for a beer, 25 RMB for a cocktail, mains 30 to 50 RMB.
The Standout? The balcony seats at sunset, watching the pedestrian street come alive.
The Catch? Service slows to a crawl during the 8 to 10 PM rush.

Local tip: Sit on the second floor if you want to actually talk to someone. The ground floor is essentially a holding area for tour groups. Lijiang Bar survives because it adapts, a trait that mirrors Guilin itself, a city that has learned to coexist with mass tourism without completely losing its local character.

7. The Old Guilin Pub near Fubo Hill

A short walk from the base of Fubo Hill, in the quieter residential streets west of the city center, The Old Guilin Pub is exactly what the name suggests, a place that leans into local identity. The decor includes black-and-white photos of Guilin from the 1980s and 1990s, and the drink menu features a house-made rice wine cocktail that blends Guilin's famous Sanhua liquor with fresh citrus and honey. Drinks range from 20 to 40 RMB, and the food menu focuses on traditional Guangxi dishes served in small, shareable portions. Sunday evenings are surprisingly lively, as this is when a group of retired locals gathers for what they call their "weekly meeting," which involves a lot of rice wine and even more storytelling. The detail most tourists miss is the photo album behind the bar, filled with pictures of the pub's regulars going back over a decade.

The Vibe? Warm, nostalgic, and deeply rooted in Guilin identity.
The Bill? 20 to 40 RMB per drink, small plates 15 to 30 RMB.
The Standout? The Sanhua citrus cocktail, a modern twist on Guilin's most famous spirit.
The Catch? The location is a 15-minute walk from the nearest bus stop, and ride-hailing apps sometimes struggle to pin the address.

Local tip: If you are there on a Sunday, buy a round for the retirees' table. You will get stories about old Guilin that no guidebook contains. This pub is a living archive of the city's drinking culture, a reminder that Guilin's identity is not just about scenery but about the people who have called these streets home for generations.

8. Sky Bar at the Grand Bravo Guilin Hotel

For a completely different experience, the rooftop Sky Bar at the Grand Bravo Guilin Hotel on Binjiang River North offers panoramic views of the karst skyline that made this city famous. Cocktails start at 55 RMB, and the wine list includes a reasonable selection of Chinese and imported bottles. The best time to arrive is just before sunset, around 6:30 to 7:30 PM depending on the season, when the light hits the peaks and the river turns gold. Weeknights are far less crowded than weekends, and you can often claim a prime window seat without a reservation. What most people do not know is that the bar offers a "locals' menu" upon request, a simplified food and drink list with lower prices that is not displayed publicly. Just ask the bartender, and they will bring it over.

The Vibe? Polished, scenic, and a world away from the street-level pubs.
The Bill? 55 to 80 RMB per cocktail, wine by the glass 45 to 70 RMB.
The Standout? The view of Elephant Trunk Hill lit up at night from the northwest corner.
The Catch? The dress code is smart casual, and the staff will turn away anyone in flip-flops or tank tops.

Local tip: Skip the overpriced snack platters and eat dinner at one of the small restaurants on Binjiang Road before heading up. The Sky Bar represents the aspirational side of Guilin's drinking scene, the part of the city that wants to be seen as modern and cosmopolitan, and honestly, with that view, it earns the right.

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When to Go and What to Know

Guilin's pub scene is most active from Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday evenings also drawing a loyal local crowd at neighborhood spots. Weeknights are quieter but often more rewarding if you want to actually meet people. Most places open around 5 or 6 PM and close between midnight and 2 AM, though the sidewalk beer spots near the canals can stay open later depending on the season and the mood of the local police. Cash is still accepted everywhere, but WeChat Pay and Alipay are dominant, and some smaller spots may not accept cards. Tipping is not expected or practiced in Guilin. If you are visiting during the summer months, be prepared for heat and humidity that can make outdoor seating uncomfortable after 9 PM. Winter is mild but damp, and indoor spots with good heating become especially appealing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Guilin?

Most local pubs in Guilin have no dress code, and casual clothing is perfectly acceptable everywhere except hotel rooftop bars, which may enforce smart casual rules. The main cultural etiquette to observe is the drinking toast custom, when someone raises a glass toward you, it is polite to make eye contact and take a sip rather than ignoring the gesture. If you are drinking with a group, do not refill your own glass, fill others' glasses first and wait for someone to reciprocate. Baijiu toasts at formal gatherings can be intense, but in casual pub settings, pacing yourself is completely acceptable.

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Guilin?

Guilin's pub and bar scene is not particularly vegan-friendly, as most bar snacks center on meat skewers, fried chicken, and seafood. However, Lazy Diner & Bar and The Brew both offer vegetarian options on their menus, including loaded fries, vegetable spring rolls, and tofu-based dishes. Dedicated vegetarian restaurants exist in the city center, particularly near the university districts, but they are separate from the pub scene. If you have strict dietary requirements, learning the Mandarin phrase for "I do not eat meat" (我不吃肉类, wǒ bù chī ròu lèi) will be essential when ordering at any local drinking spot.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Guilin is famous for?

Sanhua liquor (三花酒) is Guilin's most famous alcoholic beverage, a rice-based baijiu that has been produced in the region for centuries and is available at nearly every local pub and restaurant. It typically ranges from 40 to 55 percent alcohol by volume and has a clean, slightly floral aroma that sets it apart from heavier baijiu styles. For food, Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉) are the city's signature dish, and several pubs, including Lazy Diner & Bar and The Old Guilin Pub, serve their own versions as bar snacks. A bowl of authentic Guilin rice noodles from a street vendor costs between 6 and 12 RMB and is best eaten in the morning, though late-night versions are available near the night market areas.

Is the tap water in Guilin safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Tap water in Guilin is not safe to drink directly. The local water treatment infrastructure does not meet international drinking standards, and even residents boil or filter their water before consumption. Most pubs and bars serve bottled water or boiled tea, and you should request bottled water (矿泉水, kuàngquán shuǐ) rather than accepting tap water. A 500ml bottle of water at a bar typically costs 3 to 5 RMB. Many hotels provide electric kettles and complimentary bottled water in rooms, which is the standard practice across Guilin's hospitality industry.

Is Guilin expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

Guilin is moderately priced by Chinese standards. A mid-tier traveler can expect to spend approximately 400 to 600 RMB per day, broken down as follows: accommodation in a three-star hotel or quality guesthouse runs 150 to 300 RMB per night, meals at local restaurants cost 30 to 60 RMB per person per meal, and drinks at local pubs range from 15 to 50 RMB each. Transportation within the city is inexpensive, with bus fares at 2 RMB per ride and ride-hailing trips typically costing 8 to 20 RMB for most intra-city routes. Attraction tickets, such as the Li River cruise or Reed Flute Cave, are the largest variable expense, ranging from 80 to 250 RMB per site. Budget an additional 50 to 100 RMB daily for incidentals, snacks, and the occasional craft beer upgrade.