8 Liangmahe South Rd (west of Sanlitun North St), Utopia Map, It really is a boat floating in a canal next to the street. Popular Fri gay night with rainbow flags flying, campy 70s disco videos and super classic gay dance beats (Grace Jones pulled up to the bumper while we were there). There's a chef barbequing aft. Gays hang out on the upstairs fore deck until critical mass is reached on the main floor dance area. There's also a bar area in the hold which was dark on our visit, perhaps intentionally. One of the funkiest, friendliest bars in Beijing. They are hoping to grab more gay customers on other nights of the week and turn it into a proper gay club, but it's very popular with friendly straights, even on gay night. 亮马河南路8号 (三里屯北街西)

LW-12 Solana Park, #6 Chaoyang Park Rd, Utopia Map, email, 5905-6213. Walk along the southern edge of the exterior of the Solana shopping complex and follow the walkway all the way to the lake where you will see a neon sign for the "bar street." Lantung is on the edge of the lake, next to Sex in Da City. Thu gay night, with its extended 2-for-1 Happy Hour, attracts the trendy gay crowd from 10pm onwards. The roof top pavilion and the lake-side seating are both fantastic. Classic dance beats. Nice mix of handsome local hot bods and in-the-know expats. 北京市朝阳区 朝阳公园西路 蓝色港湾 LW12 Utopia Member Discount

The Opposite House, 1 Sanlitun Bei Rd, Sanlitun, Utopia Map, 6417-6688. The Thu gay night crowd has moved on, but this world-class bar and its spectacular Japanese-designed hotel setting are still worth a visit for fans of contemporary design. From the non-lobby which is more a Chinese modern art museum, to Mesh's Duchamp-inspired collection of resin castings of plastic drinking bottles, The Opposite House is pure eye candy. Ask to see the rooms and the stainless-steel swimming pool. 地址　三里屯北街　１号　

Comments from Utopians:

"Mesh did change the hours for Happy Hour on Thu, but you can still see the 'creme de la creme' hanging out there. I still think it's a great place to be." -- samandjet, Jun 18, 2009

"Happy Hour now stops at 9pm and as a consequence the gay crowd has shifted elsewhere." -- ecyc02, May 13, 2009

HAIDIAN

B/F 12 Yumin Lu, North Madian Flyover, North 3rd Ring Rd, Utopia Map, 8225-0548, email. Beijing's only gay bar for bears and their admirers. Difficult to find as the entrance is actually via what looks like an air-conditioning vent in the parking area of a tall building near the intersection. Look for a free-standing, raised and tiny glass box with a green neon sign that says "bar". Yes, it does rather seem like entering Dr Who's telephone booth. Once inside, descend the stairs down to the main floor. The club is on two levels. 1/F has booth and bar seating, with a small stage for karaoke, performance and even a bit of dancing if things get going. 2/F is balcony seating for overspill on Fri and Sat nights when the club is busiest. Mixture of young, mature, muscle and chubs. Friendly and some English spoken. 北京市朝阳区马甸桥北裕民路12号中国科技会展中心院内元辰鑫酒店大门东侧20米 Utopia Member Discount

7 Gongti Xi Lu (near the Workers' Stadium), Utopia Map. If you are coming from other parts of Beijing and using the subway, get off at Dong Si Shi Tiao Station, choose the exit that takes you to Gong Ren Ti Yu Chang (Workers' Stadium), walk along Gong Ti Bei Lu, you should go past the Asia Hotel, then the indoor stadium (Ti Yu GUAN), turn right immediately into Gong Ti Xi Lu, and walk for a bit, Destination will be on your right. Gay club nightly. Cool sound and lighting system and dance floor. The staff have been re-trained, given new uniforms and there's a new and friendly attitude from security. They've added a 2nd floor and renovated the main floor. 东城区　工体西路　７号　

Comments from Utopians:

"Destination is the bar/disco to be at, especially on weekends. It has taken over the Thai restaurant next door, so it is even bigger and better, except that entrance charges are now at least Y$60 (including one drink). If there is a special event or DJ it can go up to Y$100." -- ecyc02, Feb 25, 2009

133-6689-1433, email. Close to Ba Jiao Subway Station. Popular gay singing club with many handsome waiters. The first gay KTV in west Beijing.