Tianjin Nightlife

Tianjin comes alive at night, especially in the summer when people emerge to enjoy the cool evening air. Streetside food stands set up, and people stroll the streets while eating, shopping, and socializing. Grab a meat skewer and dive in. Most expensive but most entertaining Chinese bar experience is the karaoke bar. Young Chinese karaokers generally take their craft very seriously, and you can generally see some very good and some very bad singers - as is the case with karaoke in any country. Karaoke bars can be very expensive, though, since people generally go out and make a night of it. There are also bar streets that have dozens of bars and clubs lumped together. These tend to charge quite a lot more for drinks than you'd pay at a restaurant or other establishment, but you're partly paying for the experience. Go closer to the large universities for places with great karaoke and to find smaller joints with cheaper prices. Music at nightclubs is generally Chinese pop, with a few featuring trance or techno. And as a holdover from the city's days as a British concession, pubs around the city are the place to find a good European pint. Alternatives to bars include the traditional Chinese dance, storytelling, and opera performances, which can be found at theaters around town. Most famous is the northern art of xiangsheng, a satirical dialogue or "cross talk" between two performers. Well known all over China, xiangsheng originated in Tianjin (and partly in Beijing), and is a fascinating way to experience Chinese culture - and have a few laughs as well. There are even acrobatics and kung fu shows to be found around town. And for a more traditional and calm cultural experience

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