Discover Borra & Chera: Live Music Venue Haven in Futian, Shenzhen Bar & Pub Review
Introduction
It’s the 4th of January 2024, and though I feel a tad old, I’m thrilled to kick off the year by sharing my newest discovery: Borra & Chera in Futian. By now, this vibrant live bar and restaurant has celebrated both its soft opening and official launch. Let me tell you upfront: You don’t have to go to Beijing or Shanghai to experience the best of live music, alcoholic drinks, and good food. Trust me, Borra & Chera has it all so make sure its on your entertainment itinerary whether your a traveller, expat or a local you will feel welcome.
The Location
Borra & Chera is nicely situated at aPark, Xiameilin, Futian Shenzhen, China, making it one of the newest and coolest revamped, slash repurposed areas in Shenzhen. The site, once an old electronics factory, has transformed into much more than that—it’s now a local Mecca for fun and style. Many events, from dog shows to frisbee competitions, take place in the building’s courtyard. Even Nike has had photoshoots there, adding to its allure for social media enthusiasts, especially fashion and photography fans. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s one of the great places to go in the area, surrounded by niche shopping, great coffee shops, and other dining options.
The Ambiance
Borra & Chera seamlessly blends the vibrancy of a bar with the inviting feel of a restaurant. At the heart of the experience is the food. Needless to say, the other key components such as the great selection of alcohol and the great music. I arrived at their soft opening just as most of the patrons had finished their meals, which was about the time before the live music began. When the live performances started, the whole place climbed to a new level of fun. Despite the fact I’m not a local and that I hardly knew anyone there made no difference, the atmosphere was very warm and very inclusive, The two live performances I saw from the house band, and different vocal artists were excellent. This establishment truly stands as one of the best places for live performances in Futian. Popular Chinese songs were performed, which got the whole audience either tapping their feet, waving their arms, not to mention singing along. At this point, there was standing room only. making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a vibrant music scene, good music and top-notch sound system.
The Drinks
The establishment does feature a well-stocked fridge with imported fine Belgian beers, fruit beers, renowned brands like Brewdog. I particularly enjoy the award-winning selections from Halve Maan Brewery beers, with such awesome beers as the delicious Quadruple, Zot, and their world champion wheat beer. If you want cocktails they’ve got them too, along with non-alcoholic beverages. Patrons can further indulge in a curated selection of white and red wines, which range in price from a 100 RMB up 600 RMB. making it a good choice for wine lovers too. In addition to this, the place also serves up to seven beers on draft, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.These options are very reasonably priced, adding to the allure of Borra & Chera as one of the few places in the area where you can find such a diverse selection in one place. Plus, the bar is open for lunch until 2 a.m, and the start time for the band is towards the end of dinner. It’s the perfect stylish and comfortable to spend your evening, much more so that other similar places that have their own music events.
The Food
Borra & Chera offers a delightful fusion of delicious flavours from around the world, so there will be something for everyone to enjoy. The prices are extremely reasonable. On my first visit during the daytime, I had a pasta dish and a tom yum soup that had a near-perfect balance of spicy and sour, with gorgeous clams. The pasta was flavoured with 6 kinds of peppers and filled with some excellent suet beef. I had a great Blanche Wheat beer to top it all off. The cost? Well, at 134 RMB ($18) in the center of Shenzhen, it really was a tasty steal. The boss I know is very serious about providing the great food for the best price while continually improving upon the customer dining experience.
Final Thoughts
Borra & Chera isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an intricate part of aPark its now an important part of the local nightlife. I will definitely go there again; my experience was a thoroughly enjoyable one. The food was great, and I personally look forward to trying more of its menu. Would I recommend it? Hell yeah. It is 100% worth a visit. With its inviting ambiance, fantastic music, and good food, Borra & Chera is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a memorable dining experience. You’ll find the bar’s offerings to be top-notch, making it a great destination for anyone seeking a taste of culinary excellence in the heart of Futian, Shenzhen. So, whether you’re a local or a traveler passing through, Borra & Chera is definitely worth a visit its a real gem of a place.
if your are looking for something similar check out my reviews on Echo PM, RMK, 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.
Also check out my post on rednote
