When I first arrived in Suzhou there was one street you were going to if you were going for a night out. A street with real bars, away from the pounding music of the big dance clubs, where expats and Chinese alike could drink and socialize as they pleased. That street still exists, and it's Shi Quan Jie.
The Pub Bar and Jane's Pub Bar are two of the most well-known bars on the street and are known as the Pub Bars. No newcomers to the scene, they have been in their current locations for years, starting with The Pub Bar, which was one of the first expat bars in Suzhou. Jane's bar is a bit larger and joined the party a bit later. Despite their similar names, they have a completely different dynamic. The Pub Bar is a cozy little bar inhabited by regular customers who like to sit, drink, and talk. You're almost sure to find the owner, Gary, sitting outside in a chair surveying his domain or inside at the bar chatting it up with customers. Coming here reminds you that a bar isn't only about getting drunk. Did I just say that?
Jane's Pub Bar is just a bit different. Jane's is a bit larger and is one of the foremost places for watching sports, including F1, European futbol, and a lot more. It is at its busiest during popular sporting matches, but just about any night you can come here and play pool, make friends, talk to Jane, or just drink yourself into oblivion. Currently, Jane has a Happy Hour going from 3:00pm-8:00pm every day with 20RMB draft beer and 10RMB Qingdao. Also, Monday through Saturday nights feature their live singer, or try your hand at karaoke.
If you're new to Suzhou, you might have been too distracted by all of the new shopping centers, Chinese-style dance clubs, and background noise to notice that Shi Quan Jie (Bar Street) is still alive and kicking, and it has more character than just about any other area you could go for the evening. The Pub Bars are a perfect example of that. If you haven't been there, it's time to check it out.
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