Posh New Whisky Bar Atlas Hides in SLT's Shadows

Sanlitun is saturated with bars. Think, for example, about all those near Taikooli, the Hidden House, Revolution, and Ming Bar near Yashow, Botany in Yoolee Plaza, and the new Canvas Bar in Yu … and just when you thought Sanlitun doesn't have room for another bar, look at what we’ve found: another new whisky bar.

Located in the brick-red colored residential building next to Sanlitun Soho, hidden on the first floor is Atlas Whisky Bar. It's not easy to find. It’s almost like a secret mission: First you find Unit 3 (三单元 ), press code #103, and then someone will buzz you in.

From the inside, the bar is a little more posh than the outside of the building it's housed in (thankfully). The bar is well-decorated with Japanese influences and plenty of whisky bottles on display. We can see that Scottish whisky takes up most of the collection, while the boutique glassware on the shelf behind the bar also offers lots of Japanese choices.

The owner, Fujian-born Terry Wu, quit his job at Intel and opened this whisky bar several months ago in Beijing. He was aiming for Sanlitun, but also wanted to open a quiet place for people to take their time and enjoy their drink without the hustle. Named after The World Atlas of Whisky, Terry wants to add more selection to the current 240 kinds of whisky and also make the bar an atlas of whisky.

Atlas Fireball (RMB 75)

Yes, it is posh, even the fancy glasses were brought in from Japan, but it’s not too pretentious. The menu is quite humble, with illustrations of how to enjoy whisky, the whisky map, and five recommendations based on your favorite flavor, so beginners can quickly find what they want. Regular Scotch single malts will set you back about RMB 70-105 for 30ml, and cocktails with a whisky base are all RMB 75. We tried the Whisky sour, which was a delight, but could've had more foam if we had to poke holes. We also tried the fireball, with whisky, cinnamon, and lemon juice, which was citrusy and spicy.

They have everything that you could ask for in a whisky bar; a nice bar area with 10 leather seats and a private room, several books about whisky piled up in the corner, and two lines of whisky bottles sitting around the wall, which are on for a buy-one-get-one free deal during holiday. It’s a nice place to hang out with a group of people with good taste, or to drink alone. If you're looking to learn more about whisky, this is also the place to do it- we are sure the knowledgeable Terry will teach you.

Atlas Whisky Bar
Daily 7.30pm-1.30am. Room 103, Unit 3, Nansanlitun Xinsanlou, Chaoyang District (5626 1945)
朝阳区南三里屯新三楼三单元103号

Photos: Tracy Wang