COMMUNE RESERVE: We've No Reservations About This New Gastropub

原创 Robynne Tindall theBeijinger

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They say variety is the spice of life, and when it comes to bars and restaurants, we’re inclined to agree. That’s why we love any new restaurant opening, but especially one that really does offer something for everyone.

Enter COMMUNE RESERVE, a huge craft beer gastropub newly opened on Xidawang Lu near SKP and the Huamao Center. COMMUNE RESERVE is the upscale older brother of bar and restaurant chain COMMUNE, which has branches in more than 20 cities across China. This is the second COMMUNE RESERVE to open in China following a wildly successful branch in Shanghai, which opened in 2020.

Just a 10-minute cycle / 20-minute walk from Guomao, COMMUNE RESERVE’s two-story space is refreshingly light and airy for a gastropub, with floor-to-ceiling windows and well-spaced out tables. The design was inspired by wine cellars, with vaulted brick ceilings and a “cellar” area with fridges full of wine, beer, and spirits. Upstairs, the second-floor seating area the feeling of a luxurious private club, with low-slung leather seating around a fireplace. Even better, the expansive terrace out the back comes just in time for the (hopefully) cooler weather.

The decor may say “wine cellar” but it’s the craft beer selection that will get most people excited. The aforementioned fridges boast a huge selection of bottled craft beer, all of which are brought in via cold-chain storage — an advantage of being part of a country-wide chain. In addition to popular craft beer names, you’ll also find rare limited releases like Seattle-base Fremont Brewing’s 2016 Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Ale.

There are also 20 beers on tap, including a wide selection of beers from California brewery Stone Brewing, with whom COMMUNE has a close relationship, as well as fruity ciders from Shenzhen brewers Craft Head. Our pick of the bunch is the COMMUNE Illusionist, a clean and refreshing hefeweizen with notes of clove and orange peel brewed exclusively for COMMUNE RESERVE.

All of those draft beers can be enjoyed free-flow from 9pm-midnight for RMB 188 from Sunday to Thursday or RMB 238 on Friday, Saturday, and public holidays, a deal that is sure to get your tipsy considering some of these brews run upwards of 8.5% ABV. This deal is for members only, so be sure to sign up by scanning the QR code at the bottom of this article.

There is also plenty to enjoy for non-beer drinkers, with wines by the glass starting from RMB 68 and a wide selection of cocktails, a selection of which are aged in oak barrels to give them an extra hit of vanilla-y complexity.

Like the drinks selection, the food menu trots around the globe, offering everything from duck spring rolls to Japanese chicken karaage to Italian pasta frutti di mare. While the focus of the menu is on pub grub, there are some fancier touches here and there, such as the crab and ahi tuna stack, which is the perfect dish for sharing on the terrace on a hot summer day. There is also a selection of Neapolitan-style pizzas with authentically puffy and scorched bases cooked in an imported Italian pizza oven.

With the Burger Cup coming soon, we were excited to try their burgers. The signature offering is the COMMUNE BBQ burger, featuring a freshly ground wagyu beef patty, cooked to your liking, topped with crushed avocado, yellow cheddar, grilled onions, miso-maple bacon, tempura jalapeños, and bacon barbecue sauce, all served on a brioche bun. The combination of avocado and barbecue bacon gives the burger extra richness and an almost brunch-like feel.

Speaking of brunch, there is a dedicated brunch menu, and for office workers in the area, there is also a selection of three set lunch menus to choose from, starting from RMB 58 for a simple pasta or pizza or RMB 98/128 for your choice of appetizer and main course.

With travel off the cards for the time being, COMMUNE RESERVE is the perfect venue to get together with some friends and make the most of our own fair city.

Scan the QR code below to become a COMMUNE RESERVE member. Activate your membership and follow the COMMUNE RESERVE official WeChat and immediately receive a 10oz beer.