By Robert Nutbrown (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-08-21 10:43

Taking refuge away from the bustle of the Houhai lakeside scene, Jiangjinjiu Bar is nestled on the west side of the courtyard between the Drum and Bell towers. Enchanting guitar mixes with the sounds of children giggling in the street outside.

The decor includes the obligatory stringed instruments hanging from the walls, though there is only the top half of a violin. Even though some of the uncomfortable chairs seem to be rejects from a hunting expedition, the general feel is snug.

The setting is certainly intimate, with the tiny stage rivalling What Bar near the Forbidden City in terms of repelling claustrophobic guitarists. But the jovial harmonica playing is well received by a crowd that would rather tap along to pleasant folk tunes than booming techno.

The laidback atmosphere makes this the sort of bar that reviewers hope will not become vastly popular once the cat has been let out of the bag. Spending a lazy Saturday evening at Jiangjinjiu is like a Sunday afternoon at home with the extended family.

Jiangjinjiu Bar
Location: No.2 Zhongku Hutong, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-84050124