Looking for yet another retro-themed cocktail lounge manned by a stern, bowtied bartender serving equally stiff drinks? If so, then The Rabbit Bar isn't the place for you.
Instead, Rabbit will suit anyone who prefers a more laidback, upbeat atmosphere, in a refreshingly convenient location (compared to the practical obstacle courses we went through to find other newbies like House Bar, Will and Lake's, Toy Box, Atlas ...). We were struck by its stark, minimalist decor and blaring early aughts R&B soundtrack upon entry. And while The Rabbit's decor does feature a few paintings of superheroes in homoerotic poses – a bit like the Black Moth's entryway – the bar's atmosphere is otherwise hassle-free yet distinctive. Even more memorable: a bold, red neon sign behind the bar declaring "We drink, we love, we are fabulous." It shines out from the otherwise muted decor in gleefully fun fashion.
The cocktails closely follow that upbeat motif. House specials like the RMB 60 Carotene and the RMB 65 April feature colorful and offbeat flavors, especially true of the former, which has a comforting initial smolder before setting your tastebuds ablaze, thanks to its chili-infused rum. It's not a suitable drink for timid patrons, but adventurous types will knock it back with abandon. The April sits in a similar trajectory but forgoes spiciness for lush fruitiness, courtesy of a mix of white rum, lime juice, and Thai lime leaf syrup.
Other house cocktails include the RMB 60 Elderflower (made with gin, lemon, and elderflower syrup), the RMB 65 Bitch Smile (featuring vodka, lime, pineapple juice, and lychee syrup), and the more complex Hiroshima Ice Tea (made with Beefeater gin, tequila, smokey whisky, and Earl Grey tea syrup).
Unfortunately that's about it in terms of unique cocktails, with gin and tonics, Old Fashioneds, and whiskey sours rounding the menu off (the conventional cocktails range from RMB 55-65). And while other cocktail joints boasts specialty menus more than triple the length of The Rabbit's offering, we loved how flavorful and unpretentious the available varieties were. The cost of those cocktails was also a big bonus, especially compared to the admittedly more intricate, but nonetheless wallet-busting prices found at The Black Moth, Good Bait, and other more polished joints.
Yes, it would be an understatement to say The Rabbit is more casual its fellow newbies in Beijing's ongoing cocktail explosion. That's a big part of its appeal for anyone wandering Courtyard 4 that happens upon it. That said, its concept does have a carefully thought out appeal to the capital's LGBT community. Chalk that aspect up to parent company Aloha, which is better known for founding and running the queer social media app of the same name.
The bar is being heavily promoted through that channel and serves as a fun place for its members to meet up. But those elements are subtle, and patrons of all stripes who have never even heard of the app will enjoy the vibrant cocktails and casual atmosphere. Rabbit is a refreshing alternative to its more formal competitors, and the convenient location is sure to make the bar's owners more successful and fortunate than the holder of an ultra lucky rabbit's foot.
The Rabbit Bar
Daily 8pm-2.30am. 2-3/F, Bldg 81, Courtyard 4 (upstairs of Fukubuku Sake Bar & Lounge, across from Q Mex), Chaoyang District (186 4280 4322)
朝阳区机电院4号院81号楼2-3层(福福居酒屋楼上)
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Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
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Photos: Kyle Mullin, The Rabbit Bar