Set on the picturesque lake in Houhai, East Shore Live Jazz is one of the best spots for live music in Beijing. The club was founded by Liu Yuan (former saxophonist for Chinese rock legend Cui Jian), whose father actually played in one of China’s first jazz bands. East Shore has the trademark candlelit, smoky interior of any self-respecting jazz joint with dark wood paneling and portraits of the genre’s greats. The crowd is a mix of foreigners, local jazz lovers and budding young musicians. From Thursday to Sunday nights there is a solid roster of bands playing traditional jazz music and visiting foreign musicians. There is also a small rooftop with a few tables and chairs if you want to search for stars while you’re listening to the mellow tunes below. East Shore gets pretty jumpin’ so make sure to call ahead to guarantee a seat.