A lecture themed on urban exploration is held at the bar Universe Lounge in Beijing, on October 18, 2024. Photo: VCG

In a cozy bar, soft jazz music plays as colorful cocktails glimmer. A speaker passionately presents philosophical ideas, while the audience, relaxed yet engaged, tosses questions. Dim lights create an intimate vibe, contrasting with the weighty topics, blending academia with casual camaraderie. This scene is a familiar sight on weekends at a bar in Wudaokou in Beijing's Haidian district, an area densely populated with universities. 

How can the pleasure of a casual drink be intertwined with serious academic pursuits? Academic bars have successfully bridged this gap. 

Since the start of this year, academic events held at bars have become a new trend in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The speakers at these "academic bars" are often doctorate holders or emerging scholars from the humanities and social sciences, who present their research findings or field trip experience to an audience primarily made up of university students and young professionals. The lectures cover multiple disciplines including history, philosophy, art, and modern technology, with the audience primarily recruited from social media.

Audience at these "academic bars" is open to all, regardless of identity or profession; typically, purchasing a drink serves as an entry ticket. These venues not only facilitate knowledge sharing but also foster a novel form of social interaction, representing a fresh exploration of the urban lifestyle. 

Zhu Wei, the vice director of the Communication Law Research Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times that the rise of "academic bars" signifies a broader enhancement in the education and critical thinking skills of the Chinese public. This trend has made traditionally exclusive academic content more accessible to a wider audience. Besides, academic bars offer ordinary individuals a valuable opportunity to engage with scientific and systematic academic subjects.

"Holding lectures in bars represents a proactive effort by contemporary youth to balance learning and leisure, creating new venues for professional discussions and fostering communication. This trend reflects their evolving social concepts," Professor Lang Jinsong from the Communication University of China was quoted as saying by China News Service. "However, we must discern whether the content of these 'bar lectures' is merely personal opinion or a structured academic discourse. Additionally, we should be cautious of academic discussions devolving into mere marketing gimmicks."

A lecture themed on China-Central Asia history is held at the Universe Lounge in Beijing on October 27, 2024. Photo: Hu Yuwei/GT

Gaining popularity among young people

The concept of an academic bar is not a recent development. According to New Weekly magazine, the concept originated in the UK's SciBar (short for "Science in a Bar"), a non-profit initiative launched by the British Science Association to make scientific knowledge more accessible to a larger audience. The primary aim of academic bars is to create informal spaces where researchers and enthusiasts can engage in discussions about their areas of expertise.

On October 27, Global Times reporters visited an academic bar in Wudaokou, where the venue was already bustling with activity just 10 minutes before the lecture was set to begin. The hallway was filled with guests holding cocktails in one hand while snapping photos of PowerPoint slides of the lecture with the other. Attendees listened attentively to the speaker on stage, who shared insights into the historical connections between Central Asia and China, along with his personal thrilling experiences in the region. The speaker, a seasoned scholar with slightly graying hair and a deep knowledge of Central Asian studies, appeared completely at ease in this setting, especially with a cocktail beside his laptop and a group of young people surrounding him.

His presentation was occasionally interrupted by a small, dark gray kitten that wandered over to investigate his drink, eliciting gentle laughter from the audience as he playfully shooed it away. This interaction contributed to a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, starkly contrasting the seriousness often found in traditional university lecture halls. Conversations flowed freely, seamlessly blending leisure with deep inquiry, as the evening unfolded with both merriment and contemplation.

"I love this relaxed and enjoyable sharing atmosphere. It feels more like listening to a friend tell a story than being lectured by an elder. If it's interesting, you can stay and have a few more drinks; if not, you can leave anytime without any pressure," remarked Lin, a sophomore student at the China Forestry University who lives nearby. As a science major, she said that she rarely has the opportunity to engage in discussions related to the humanities and social sciences. She discovered this event through a social media advertisement and found it intriguing, expressing her desire to attend more similar events in the future.

Li Xiaokai, a second-year PhD student and one of the event organizers, is eager to explore ideas beyond his scientific background - applying familiar quantitative methods to the study of intellectual history. He has also been a speaker at the bar, presenting his work on "Quantitative Research on Intellectual History." The academic sharing events he organized cover themes ranging from detective fiction to dog psychology and urban exploration, drawing between 30 to 80 participants for each session. During events, the organizers, speakers, and the bar typically negotiate a revenue-sharing arrangement to divide the drink bill. 

At this venue, known as the Universe Lounge, an academic atmosphere prevails, filled with serious philosophical discussions and profound topics. Academic posters adorn the walls, covering subjects from "Practices and Explorations in Archaeology in Northwest China" to "Understanding Moral Dilemmas in Life with a Case Study of a Movie." Books are scattered throughout the space; one can easily pull a memoir of a world-renowned figure from the sofa. Even in the restroom, a dedicated bookshelf features works by the philosopher of science, Alexander Koyré.

Chen Chen, manager of Universe Lounge, told the Global Times that they have been organizing academic sharing events since June, having conducted 13 sessions to date, with the largest attendance surpassing 80 participants. He noted that a lecture held on a weekend night can lead to a doubling of alcoholic beverage sales and a substantial boost in overall revenue.

A search on social media platforms found that in recent times, bars have begun hosting academic events that increasingly address pressing issues relevant to young people. Topics range from leveraging social media for personal branding to understanding legal rights under the new marriage law. Some lectures delve into the common anxieties faced by contemporary youth.

At an "academic bar" event on October 26 in Beijing, a senior lawyer discussed frequently encountered marriage law consultation issues, elucidating on rights protection within marriage and strategies for preventing and responding to domestic violence. The audience, primarily comprised of young and middle-aged women, engaged in discussions about these serious topics in a relaxed atmosphere, comfortably seated on sofas. 

According to data from China's e-commerce platform Meituan, the search volume for "academic bar" has surged by 142 percent since October compared to September. On social media platforms, where young people dominate, the term's popularity is rapidly increasing, as reported by the Beijing Youth Daily. 

Li believes that the sharing sessions at academic bars dismantle the elitism often associated with scientific research, fostering a more relaxed and enjoyable environment for young people to acquire knowledge. 

Professor Lang told the China News Service that the popularization of knowledge hinges not only on high-quality content but also on the exploration of diverse communication platforms. He emphasizes that the exchange of ideas transcends participants, scenarios, and spaces. 

Audience members engage in on-site discussions after an academic lecture held at a bar in Beijing, on October 18, 2024. Photo: VCG

Questions and challenges remain

The novel intersection of bars and lectures has garnered attention on Chinese social media, yet it has also sparked skepticism about potential "money-making," "pseudo-academics" and "affectation." 

A netizen humorously remarked in a social media post, "After spending a night in the lab, shall I have to attend a seminar after drinking to unwind?" Some netizens contend that this trendy online concept merely relocates traditional salon activities to bars, repackaging old ideas with new branding. Some have also questioned how robust the screening process for speakers is, and in some cases, unclear or unsustainable objectives have led to suspicions of potential profit-driven motives.

Li acknowledges that while some individuals may exploit the "academic bar" label for hype and traffic, many others are genuinely seeking to create a new platform for knowledge sharing, fostering a fresh social space for young people. As this is a relatively new concept, many initiatives are still in the experimental phase, and they hope to see the establishment of more standardized principles for guidance and reference.

As for the sustainability of academic bars, Li admits he is still gauging their viability and cannot guarantee their continued popularity. He emphasizes that as an emerging cultural phenomenon, "academic bars" face several challenges, including the need for a sustainable operational model that ensures stable income, rather than relying solely on passion.

Mei Zhigang, an associate professor at the Central China Normal University, told Wuhan-based Jiupai News that "academic bars" are not a novel concept, but are much like cafes and teahouses that foster a relaxed atmosphere conducive to communication, helping individuals unwind while providing young people with an escape from feelings of loneliness.

The growing popularity of "academic bars" can also be linked to an overall improvement in the population's educational background, enabling more people to participate in academic discussions, Mei said. He expressed to the media his hope for more such activities and emphasized the importance of effective organization and topic management in related events. 

At the end of the interview, Chen expressed his aspiration to sustainably promote the academic bar brand, with the goal of "establishing a cultural lounge for everyone, offering more individuals a platform to express themselves and share their perspectives in a relaxed and straightforward manner."