Haikou has many bars and clubs around the city. There are few different types of drinking establishments in Haikou. Here s a brief summary:
- Small local style bars. Here most seating is outside on wooden benches. The beer is usually cheap, from around 5 RMB for a small can. The decor may be a little shabby and the music outdated. However, these places can be fun if you want to experience the ordinary peoples drinking habits, or enjoy some beer outside during a warm evening. These bars open in the evening around 8pm and are open until the early morning. Many bars also have BBQ available so you can eat while you drink.
- Large nightclubs. These bars are decorated at the opposite end of the spectrum to the small local bars. Lots of money is spent on large flashy lights, mirrors and a large sound system. Drink prices are therefore much more exspensive. Individual drinks may cost around 20-40 RMB. Beers are more reasonable if you buy 12 at a time. A bottle of vodka will cost around 300 RMB, this may work out well if your sharing with some friends. Most clubs play fairly similar music. The more modern ones will play a mix of recent House, Hip-hop, RnB, Western Chart Pop, and Chinese songs. Most clubs have a very small dance floor and lots of tables. It is normal for slightly intoxicated Chinese to toast drinks at your table. Open from evening till late. Music is generally loud.
- KTV. At KTV bars your generally order a private room to share with your friends.
Bars and night clubs are generally concentrated in different areas around Haikou. Here is an introduction to some of these areas:
Heping Avenue Bar Street (和平大道酒吧街 Hépíng dàdào jiǔbā jiē)
There are many small local style bars on Heping Ave (和平大道 Hépíng dàdào) in Haidiandao, around 10 minutes walk from Haikou Hostel. There are at least 10 bars along the road. The bars normally stay open as long as their are customers. Bars in this area include:
- Red's Pub (aka Hash House), 红蜘蛛, Hóng zhīzhū. The meeting point for the Haikou Hash House Harriers. Situated on the corner of Heping Avenue and 2 East Road.
- German Wolf Bar, 德狼酒吧, Dé láng jiǔbā. Has a large German fighter plane outside.
- Pretty Girl Bar, 如花酒吧, Rúhuā jiǔbā. A bit more upper class compared to the other bars. Bar downstairs and a club upstairs.
- Hangout Bar, 雪屋, Xuě wū. Nice large outdoor area. A little difficult to find. Follow San Dong Road east of Heping Avenue and take the first road heading south. The bar has a small entrance halfway down this road on the west side of the road.
Guomao Bar Area (国贸 Guómào)
There are a number of large nightclubs on, or near, Guomao Road (国贸路 Guómào lù).
- 88 bar, 88酒吧, bā bā jiǔbā. Popular and open late every day of the week.
- MM Club, MM酒吧, MM jiǔbā
- Allen Story Club, 阿伦故事酒吧, ā lún gùshì jiǔbā
- Queen's Club, 皇后酒吧, huánghòu jiǔbā
- SOHO, 苏荷酒吧, sū hé jiǔbā
- Minghao, 名好酒吧, Míng hào jiǔbā
Haikou Bay Area (海口湾 Hǎikǒu wān)
Haikou Bay is a newly developed area. More international standard. You can eat good quality food (prices are not cheap) at Lounge bar and Coco bar durng the day time and drink there in the evening.
- Coco Bar, Coco酒吧, Coco jiǔbā. Most days has a decent buffet from 6-9pm with unlimited beer, 78 RMB per person.
- Lounge Bar, 领事馆酒吧, Lǐngshìguǎn jiǔbā. Also a restaurant.
- 18 Bar, 外滩十八号酒吧, Wàitān shí bā hào jiǔbā. Fairly standard Chinese club.
Century Bridge Area (复兴城 Fùxīng chéng)
There is an entertainment area under Century Bridge that has several large Chinese nightclubs and KTV.
- Meilihui Club, 美丽会酒吧, Měilì huì jiǔbā
- Dubai Club, 迪拜酒吧, Díbài jiǔbā
- Century Club, 世纪酒吧, Shìjì jiǔbā
BBS is a small bar located just to the west of north gate of Hainan University (on 5 West Road in Haidian Island). It is popular with students. A large glass of draught beer costs 10 RMB.
Some popular clubs are Allen Bar and 66 Bar (now called 88 Bar). Both of these clubs are located in the Guomao area.
Here is a video clip taken from inside 88 Bar in Guomao area of Haikou.
