An outline of the different type of pubs and bars available in Dalian. Based around style, with an appendix of establishments indexed by style.
It is recommended that forum posts are read before visiting a particular bar. This is a wrap-up with only some regard to the quality of an individual bar.
Read the forum.
This article has an appendix, check it for forum posts on specific bars, for in-depth detail on a bar-by-bar basis.
If there is any good information regarding KaiFaQu, please add a comment ASAP!
First a word of warning: most bars in Dalian are completely safe given reasonable precautions, but under the effect of alcohol, reasonable may go out of the window. Be aware: many prostitutes/thieves operate in bars, sometimes other groups can be quite cliquey and react badly at what one intends as a friendly gesture, police may not always be quite the upstanding people we hold them in high esteem for, and if the worst comes to the worst, hospital care could leave something to be desired, so bear that in mind when participating in drunken antics.
JD Bar should have special mention. It rose in popularity with foreigners fast, but since then has been going downhill even faster, with regular attacks by patrons on fellow patrons, drug taking, people 'looking for a fight'. Only go there if a) in a good sized group which is capable of scaring trouble away by numbers (but one never knows who is armed) or b) there is no b). ARTICLE
Chinese bars existing in Dalian could, perhaps, be broken down into 6 categories, maybe more, maybe less.
Also, Dalian is somewhat a sprawling city, as such the bars tend to widely distributed, from the Software Park to Olympic Square to Zhongshan Square to Kaifaqu, it isn't really possible to have a leg-powered pub crawl covering all mentioned here.
1. Foreigners' Favourite Bars (Mainstream bars catering to foreigners).
Really meant as bars which foreigners tend to frequent, though these bars may often have a majority Cinese crowd.
They tend to have a pub-style atmosphere and decent conversation, either at the bar or with fellow patrons, on tap.
Prices range from RMB10 for a large bottled beer (Nepalese Bar), RMB for a big bottle of Asahi (Noah's), RM25+ for a draft import beer (Tin Whistle), to RMB 40+ at a 5 Star Hotel's Bar.
Worth remembering that there are many many Korean and Japanese foreigners in Dalian. Thanks to weev for the summary on Korean bars: to summarise they cater to the student/worker population in Dalian, and could be seen to be based around "Hof" style bars with Korean managements. Non-Korean foreigners sometimes there. See appendix. No little about Japanese style bars, other than some are near Shrangri La Hotel and have a flat rate. See the linked forum post for some decent more in-depth detail.
2. Live/Niche Music Bars.
Places where (live, or performed) music takes prime importance. Examples range from RA Club (live rock/electronic/gospas(Canadian, I do not mean gospel) from Dalian's youth) to Jazz Flower Music Cafe (easy listening jazz).
Prices range from RMB5 per (medium) beer at the RA Club (plus typical RMB15 entrance fee), to RMB20+ per (small) beer (Jazz Flower Music Cafe). Several Jazz bars exist around Dalian.
3. Glitzy Bars (With Loud Music And A Dance-Floor)
A space of around 100m by 50m split between dancefloor, stage (usually with timed displays of dancing girls/guys inc. poles as a propt, but dancers well clad in vital areas), table area, bar and sometimes overlooking balcony (usually private areas). Music tends to be dance/trance and sometimes quite good (often a live DJ).
Most often frequented by male managers and younger female colleagues. Seating arrangement is tends to be based around an area committed to tables, each accomodating 4-8 people. Seating is usually quite cliquey - a group come together to socialise together with little mixing compared to 'foreigner style pub bars', but there could be the odd exception (yet to see it, personally).
Most customers order a bottle of whisky and iced teas for mixers, for around RMB400. A bottle of beer is likely to cost RMB30. Prices may vary.
4. Quiet hole-in-the-wall bars.
Not 'The Hole In The Wall', which would fall under category 1. Rather, small street front shop-sized places which are bars. The Nepalese Bar was probably best described (though somewhat individualistic and on the cheaper side) as one of these a long long time ago, before it was 'discovered'. Seating tends to be table-based, lighting dim. Some are busy, some are deserted. Often Chinese-only speaking staff, and may not be so cheap, around RMB20 for a small beer. Only reason from splitting them from group 1 being that their atmosphere tends to be less 'Western'.
5. KTV.
There are two types of KTV. One to sing karaoke with friends/colleagues until the small hours. The other within which prostitutes serve their clients. Both have wildly variable price scales. Just be aware. Usually avoided by foreigners, but if anyone does have a comment, please add.
6. BBQ restaurants.
But they're restaurants! They, as well as other cheaper Chinese restaurants, still have large beers for RMB3, so end up quite the nightspot/pre-party location! Look out for hygiene, could pick up some hepatitis. Some larger chains of "Brazilian Barbeque" (set out like a restaurant) often have all-you-can eat buffets with unlimited beer (brewed in-house, sometimes very tasty).
ADI
jerryzhou
