Sports Bars.

Beijing has come into its own as a city that’s all about sport, and there’s no better place to unwind with the expat crowd than one of the many sports bars in town.  Whether it’s F1, Premier League, or the World Series that you’re itching to watch, there’s a bar and a community right for you.

While a host of fly-by-nights opened hoping to make a quick profit off the Olympics, they’re easy to spot and best avoided.  A sports bar is as much about the people you watch with as what you watch, so try out some of the places that are crowd-favorites with the grizzled old-timers.

Frank’s Place in Lido is one such institution, with a reputation as a place for good clean fun and an excellent spot for Premier League football.  The Rickshaw, in Sanlitun, attracts a younger set, and is famous for its good-natured, rowdy antics during late-night live broadcasts of sports ranging from American football to Rugby Union.

The Pomegranate, located deep in the expat-package territory of Shunyi, combines restaurant, courtyard and sports bar, and is a safe bet if you’re on the lookout for a night of sport that doesn’t involve bare chests and drunken national anthems.