Houhai Area

Aladdin offers a taste of Arabian nights
By Gan Tian

Aladdin was always one of my favorite Disney cartoons. Sometimes I dreamed I could fly on a magic carpet, and here at the Aladdin, dreams can come true.

Aladdin, located in Houhai Xi Yan, is decorated in typical Arabian style. Two golden Sphinx crouch outside the pub, guarding valuables within. Walking inside, you can see carpet with colorful Arabic patterns an lamps that look like they must have a genie..

The restaurant creates a mysterious environment and attracts guests from around the world.

Annie and I went there in the afternoon. It looks less crowded in daylight, but at night, the image must be totally different. The only way to make it better would be to have three or four girls dancing around you, on their eyes unveiled. It seems like an image straight out of Sudan.

It’s a good place to make friends, too. The owners host activities and readings from time to time. Head there to learn something about Arabian culture, or just to meet hot girls. Their coffee is the second best thing in the house, and is served up with its own mysterious environment.

Aladdin
Where: No 4, Houhai Xi Yan, Haidian
Open: 12pm-midnight
Tel: 8403 1419
Average cost: 100 yuan