(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-28 11:05

Reminiscent of Beijing's old days of opium opulence, The Den's dimly lit lower level and fiery red interior is the only resemblance of what the name might imply.

Instead of the hazy-eyed pipe dreamers that one might associate with a place named 'The Den', the bar is almost always filled with rowdy expats looking to satiate their sports addiction on the lower level's three plasma screen TVs.

This bar is one of the few Sanlitun sweet spots that has survived the constant renovations ravaging the bar strip, The Den is a 24-hour sports bar and restaurant that offers a selection of food and drinks from every corner of the planet.

Its 5-10pm half-off happy hour, unique cuisine and excellent sports coverage has earned The Den numerous awards in publications in all the expat rags.

True to the pub's sporty nature, trophies earned by The Den's sponsored rugby and football teams' line the lower-level's shelving, shining through the murky lighting.

Making itself at home in the space between the plasma screens and trophies are various pieces of down-under sports paraphernalia.

Bow-tied waiters and leather-bound menus lend the bar a classy feel that justifies its slightly higher drink prices.

Starting at 25 yuan for a Tsing Tao and traveling north to 50 yuan for a Guinness draft, the prices are not the cheapest in Beijing, but it remains the only place to grab a drink and a Zurich Schnitzel in the wee hours of the morning.

For those with a little heavier wallet, The Den has a large selection of high-end drinks including a full bottle of the hard-to-find Johnny Walker Blue Label, at a hefty 1,600 yuan.

The Den
8 Houhai Nanyan, Xicheng District.
6615-8691

China Daily 04/26/2008 page7