As it happened with Tim’s BBQ, The Den was also forced to close, as “the military cannot run that type of leases”. Who knows what they will do with that prime location, the corner of Gongti bei Lu and Gongti Dong Lu.
The Den was probably the oldest and most famous sports bar in Beijing, with a diverse crowd of older expats, young and noisy Chinese football fans, and in the past ladies of the night looking for business. A real landmark for Beijing’s bar and restaurant life.
Before 2008 on the second floor there was a disco that was open till daylight and with a “special” crowd.
The Den was open 24/24 and had the reputation of being a rough place. I never met any riots there, on the contrary it was a fun place with reasonable food, friendly waiters and many TV screens to watch sports, including F1. Many of the clients were regulars who nearly were there daily. Also families and Nordic Rugby players made it their home. Many memories…

It was one of my favorite “pit stops”.
See some pics I took on 13 December before it closed.

It seems that The Den will not reopen as such. But its former manager Lisa and some of the staff now can be found in a new version: D-One Sports Bar, on the “Gongti Strip”, next to Bellagio. See the pics I took on 9 April. I already met there some of the regulars of The Den…
Right now soft opening. Pretty large, modern (unlike The Den…), nice bar, many screens to show sport (football, rugby, soccer, F1, …).

Let’s hope they can recreate the The Den atmosphere!

Beijing has recently seen several bars and restaurants being closed, to the sadness of its regulars (like me). The story behind it is typically “Beijing”. Tenants have few rights, it’s the Far West here. Another victim is The Den, more about that later.
The former Tim’s BBQ was on Dongdaqiao Lu, at the corner of the former “Silk Street 2” (Guanghua Lu). It was a great place, interesting decoration with a soul. Two floors and pretty busy. See the pics I shot on 17 December 2015 before it was forced to close.

I just heard they had reopened and on 10 April I went to discover the new location in Central Park (close to The Place), in that semi circle with all the bars and restaurants, where you also find Swiss Taste.

A bit disappointing as the size is like 20% of its former self. I wonder how the many groups who used it (quiz evenings and other) will be able to use it.
Now there is an outdoor terrace but that will disappear in winter.
I need to try their food again, they were famous for their American BBQ, huge portions, often a bit too sweet and heavy, but a worthwhile experience. But I doubt we will have the same cozy atmosphere of the former one.