Ben’s Bar – Cheap Cocktails On the street
Who said you have to go to a brick and mortar bar to have a good cocktail.The answer is you don’t have to. There’s a place in Hong Shan. That has an awesome street cocktail bar. The place is called Ben’s bar.
Location
If you are in the Hongshan Area, Longhua Shenzhen (China) pop into Ben’s bar. Futian district is but just a few stations away. Ben’s Bar It used to be just next to the Moxy hotel along the roadside, but now has relocaed around the corner amongst the public path that has become the home of many street food sellers. Leave Hongshan subway station D1 and go straight, you can’t help but see the street stalls at night. If he is already setup which he does around 7pm then just follow the pumping rock music that floats through the air.
Ambience
Oh boy what is there not to love about the environment. Street food at night, is one the main reason I love Asia, the fact that you can get awesome cocktails ans everything from noodles and kebab sticks in the same area is almost bliss.
The temporary tent which the bar is under will keeps out most the bad weather if there is any. It’s a great place to watch people go by whilst sat at fairly comfortable garden furniture and low tables.
I have to say thank goodness small gaudy plastic chairs seem to on the way out at such venues. If you are a fat boy like me and some of my friends, you might have experienced a tumble off one of those plastic butt busting nightmares.
Food
Even though there is no food at Bens Bar (because its only cocktails) he seems to share his tables with his neighbours so its a non issue to grab something from one of the surrounding vendors.
Drinks
Maybe some of the better cocktails I have. They are not that fancy, but the taste great and generally are strong. Which is how most people like them.
He makes a mean negeroni, which is my favorite cocktail. That said every night he brings a cart full of alcoholic ingredients with him so he can make pretty much anything you know.
Service
Ben makes the cocktails fast and thick, even when the place gets busy he is always gets your drink to you fast and always with a smile. You may even get a cig if he knows you smoke.
Price
Though not as cheap as you might expect, the prices are good. I would imagine that street cocktails would be a better bargain, that said the do offer a good value. You can check the prices below. Just for any idea Negeronies start at 40 RMB. I was there recently and we had five or six cocktails and all at a very 360 RMB with a couple of friends.
Final thoughts
The is already well known and deservedly so both with foreigners and locals. It’s a perfect place to kick your feet back alone, or with friends. As music plays in the air and the Smell of food and people enjoying their night wafts around.
So, if you’re in the area, grab some street food. If you’re anything like me you hate the CBD prices for cocktails.
I would honestly highly recommend this place too.
If your are looking for something similar check out my reviews on Echo PM, Borra and Chera, or Cafe Society, and Baker’s Base, all in Futian. If your looking something different check out the review for Rongli (rockys bar) and then there is also another great spot in Lotiko in Nanshan. Although DABhaus has good cocktails, if your specifically looking for this try Cement, Ben’s bar or RMK.
Also check out my post on rednote
