Les meilleurs bars et cafés Southwest China

Timetable

Cafés generally open between 8 and 9 am and close around 8 or 9 pm. However, in more dynamic or touristy areas, some establishments stay open until 11pm. Chains such as Luckin Coffee are widespread and offer extended opening hours, sometimes until midnight in busy areas.
Bars, meanwhile, generally start serving at 5pm and can stay open until 1 or 2am, or even later in popular areas such as Zhujiang New Town in Guangzhou, Coco Park in Shenzhen and Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) in Hong Kong. Happy hours are very popular, especially from 5 to 8 p.m., and offer discounts on cocktails and beers.

Budget & Tips

A coffee will cost you between 20 and 50 RMB. If you opt for a coffee in a small restaurant or street stall, expect to pay around 10 RMB, but it will often be instant coffee, usually served with condensed milk.

As for beers, the region has some interesting local options, such as Tsingtao or Zhujiang Beer (produced in Canton), much appreciated for their lightness. A local beer in a bar or restaurant costs between 10 and 25 RMB. Imported beers such as Heineken or Corona are more expensive, at around 30 to 50 RMB.

Payments are mostly made via Alipay or WeChat, but cash is still accepted in small stalls or markets. Tipping is not common practice, but there is sometimes a " tip box " on the counter.

Age restrictions

The legal drinking age is 18. It is, of course, illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. It is also forbidden to drink alcohol in public places such as parks or streets, although this rule is rarely applied in tourist areas.

What's very local

A widespread custom is to serve hot drinks, such as tea or (still) hot water, as soon as you arrive at the restaurant. This is not only a gesture of welcome, but also a way of purifying the water by boiling it, a practice inherited from local traditions. In some restaurants, it's also customary to provide you with a teapot and ceramic cups so you can make your own tea.

Beer lovers will notice a Chinese peculiarity: bottles of local beer, such as Tsingtao or Zhujiang, are often sold in liter sizes, ideal for sharing with friends.

Tea houses are an institution in the South, and can be found in almost every town and village. These small, often picturesque establishments offer a peaceful atmosphere in which to enjoy a variety of teas. What's more, if you're invited to stay with a host, it's customary for him or her to welcome you with a tea ceremony, a moment of sharing and conviviality that reflects local culture and respect for tradition.

In Hong Kong: a local speciality is the famous Hong Kong milk tea, a rich, velvety blend of black tea and evaporated or condensed milk, often served in cha chaan teng (local cafeterias). These emblematic establishments are the perfect place to discover the local atmosphere and enjoy specialties such as French toast, pineapple bun or egg tarts, all accompanied by a drink. Another Hong Kong specialty is yuen yeung (鴛鴦), a surprising but excellent blend of tea, coffee and milk.

Smokers

Smoking legislation is becoming increasingly strict. Smoking is banned in public places, cafés and restaurants. In practice, the Chinese smoke a lot, generally on terraces. Just ask or look for ashtrays.