Urban elites across China flock to ‘academic bars’

What happened This summer, a new way to imbibe emerged in cities across China, merging academic discourse with the vibrant social fabric of urban life. Dubbed "academic bars," (学术酒吧) also known as venues that blend the casual atmosphere of a bar with intellectually stimulating activities like lectures, discussions, and workshops, this concept has become a trending phenomenon, with related hashtags amassing 1.7 million views on Xiaohongshu, reflecting its popularity among young Chinese urbanites. Take Bunker (街垒), a small roadside bar on Urumqi Road in Shanghai. It was the first to introduce academic presentations into its setting. Topics often revolve around social sciences, including economics, society, and technology, with speakers hailing from prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Yale. For example, Sebastian, who holds a PhD from Yale, delivered a lecture titled The Formation of Preferences and Opinions: An Empirical Social Science Perspective, while Ji Shiyu, a PhD candidate in Sociology at Cornell University, spoke on Natural Language Processing. This novel approach has made Bunker a hotspot, with aspiring intellectuals queuing for hours to gain entry. Clearly, bars are redefining themselves as intellectual hubs, where patrons can enjoy a drink while attending captivating talks by high-profile speakers. These venues offer the perfect blend of public discussion, casual socializing, and intellectual engagement, all within an approachable format. The Jing Take Last month, Xiaohongshu embraced the trend by launching its own pop-up academic bar in Shanghai, featuring popular talk show hosts and writers. Bunker has since become a gathering place for Shanghai’s mainstream intellectual elite. “The bars in Shanghai are truly next-level,” commented Xiaohongshu user Brother Pig, King of Fishing (@摸鱼王猪弟弟), who attended a “lecture” at Bunker. “Attending a serious academic lecture at a bar was such a fascinating experience! Even the speaker mentioned it felt less like a bar and more like a university lecture hall. I stumbled upon this event on Xiaohongshu after work and decided to check it out on a whim. I expected something light-hearted, but it turned out to be a rigorous lecture. I even took notes, and the discussions during the Q&A were highly engaging. [...] I love this kind of free cultural atmosphere!” Alcohol takes a backseat at these academic bars, which function more as public spaces for deep discussions. The concept transcends the traditional view of academia being confined to classrooms or research institutions. The relaxed setting encourages spontaneous interactions, making knowledge-sharing more accessible and inclusive, while fostering an intellectual community centered around conversation. The trend is quickly spreading to other cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Nanjing, where more academic bars are emerging to diversify the social landscape. Meta Space Bar (空格酒谈) in Beijing, for instance, has hosted discussions on topics like The Operating Principles of the Chinese Immortal Pantheon and The Moral Dimensions and Ethical Risks of Embedding AI in Medical Diagnostics, while H.lounge in Tianjin leans towards an artistic focus, with talks such as Macbeth’s Dramatic Reconstruction Conflicts. This evolution mirrors broader changes in China’s cultural landscape, resonating with an urban class that values both intellectual and social experiences. There is also a sense that China’s academic culture is transforming — becoming more approachable while maintaining a high standard of discourse. The Jing Take reports on a piece of the leading news and presents our editorial team’s analysis of the key implications for the luxury industry. In the recurring column, we analyze everything from product drops and mergers to heated debate sprouting on Chinese social media.

Urban elites across China flock to ‘academic bars’

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Published October 07, 2024

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Urban elites across China flock to ‘academic bars’