Once upon a time

Long, Long Ago Courtyard encapsulates the foreigner-friendly feel of Nanlouguxiang by taking the area's East-meets-West theme to the extreme. The bar's name seems something of a misnomer, as the structure has no courtyard to speak of, but rather, captures the charm of a log cabin and fuses it with the allure of hutong.

Its rustic country home feel is cinched through the use of carved, rough-hewn log posts to fashion most of the furnishings and more than a dozen framed photographs - and one holographic picture - of wolves. And a collection of curios, including a ceramic carousel, massive plastic sunflowers and still-life paintings of fruit, seem to hint at the involvement of some grandma in deciding the decor.

But these elements clash sharply with the fiber-optic evergreens and bounty of blinking string lights that give the place a different but equally cheerful type of gaudiness.

Long Ago's loft is accessed by walking up a rickety stairway constructed above a fountain brimming with swimming fish and illuminated with string lights. Beers start at 10 yuan and run up to 40 for the imported selection, comprising Leffe and Newcastle Brown Ale. Sixty cocktails - listed on the menu with some particularly delightful mistranslations, such as "Freedom Cuba" and "Screwknife" - go for between 30 and 50 yuan. And the place offers a selection of novelty drinks, most of which involve infusing ginger with conventional beverages.

The food menu offers more cafe-style comestibles - salads, sandwiches and pastas - than proper pub grub. And the Western food here, prepared by the former chef from the Kunlun Hotel, tastes much like it would in its country of origin.

Geographically halfway down Nanlouguxiang and thematically halfway between East and West, Long, Long Ago Courtyard is a whole lot of fun for those who relish this neighborhood's vibe.

Location: 111 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010- 6402 9788/6404 9088