There are a number of expat bars catering to the visiting business community, most of which can be a little expensive (¥25 upwards for a small bottle of beer) so if you like something a bit more laidback and comfortable, some recommended venues are as follows.

• Jim’s Café Number 6 Changdu Road, Heping District, near the intersection of Yingkou Dao and Qixiangtai Lu, tel 2871 7172 — Jim’s is a bit like ‘Cheers’, in that everyone knows your name, the food is not the greatest but it is cheap and has a mix of Western and Chinese dishes. The beer is cheap (¥8 for a large Tsing dao) and the staff are friendly, speak good English and there is free internet access and a pool table. Good spot for a great night out.

• Alibaba — (Small lane opposite Bengon’s on Tong2 An1 Dao4, 和平区同安道兵果士对面无名的小街) Comes in a close second to Jim’s. Good Western food, cheap beer and table football. There is also a newly constructed ‘Number 10 Downing Street’ themed private dining room for hire at the back. Also provides free internet access.

• The Tavern Joy Business Center, Building B, 3rd Floor, tel 2341 9696 — More up-market and therefore slightly more pricey but a great place to hang out nonetheless. Run by the ever-welcoming British born Aussie, David, they have a good selection of draught beers and live music.

• Rainbow Pub, 12 Yanhe Road, Hexi District [near Sheraton] 河西区沿河路12号)— Very similar to pubs you might find in an English suburban town except the clientele are predominately Chinese. There is also a very kitsch Filipino band in residence here. Great fun and unpretentious to the end. Has recently received some very poor reviews by expats in Tianjin.

As far as clubs go, Tianjin is a big university city both for Chinese and foreign students so there are lots of places for dancing. The music policy tends to be mostly Western and Chinese dance, pop and hip hop/R&B, so if you have more alternative tastes in music, the clubs are possibly not for you! However, some notables are Scarlet, Seven, New York Bar and the new Sitong Bar in the Olympic building.

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