Ala House

Paying homage to the wonderful world of whiskey in the heart of Beijing, Ala House is heaven for those who love the magical spirit and don’t need a bar full of bravado to enjoy it in. Lying behind unassuming doors adorned with only a tiny golden symbol in the Central Park district, Ala House feels more like a corner bar in a neighborhood full of whiskey lovers than the secret speakeasy that the venue’s understated entrance and Prohibition-era touches would have you believe. Inside the Ala House, you are surrounded by vintage touches like bronze blade fans, low lighting, and velvety drawstring curtains, which confirm it is a true vintage bar, and it’s behind the bar where the crowning jewel of Ala House is stored – a collection of over 200 whiskey bottles from all over the world. Unlike some specialist speakeasies, there isn’t any attitude at Ala House, as the bowtie-sporting staff is the utmost of professional and skilled, while still welcoming all guests warmly, whether they are whiskey aficionados or beginner sippers. You’ll quickly notice that the Ala House is an intimate space, with room for only around forty people, and the lucky forty are treated to a cocktail menu that reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the whiskey world.  All of these esteemed labels are used to mix classic cocktails like old fashioneds and manhattans or signature house mixes like the New York Sour – made with whiskey, red wine, and lemon juice.