Li Po Lounge

Li-Po Lounge is a bar in Chinatown, on Grant Avenue close to Washington Street. It’s pretty well known for its Chinese Mai Tais, which are $12.

People sitting at the bar in the early afternoon on a Sunday

This place has been here since 1937, and it’s still going strong in 2023. I went here recently on a Wednesday night, and it had a surprising amount of people. Especially considering that everything else on Grant Avenue was closed for the night.

Drinks

Chinese Mai Tai

Li Po’s Mai Tai

This is really the thing that everyone orders here. It’s like a tasty sweet, herby alcoholic slushy, with emphasis on the alcohol. Well, it doesn’t taste like alcohol, but it’s just strong. Apparently the recipe is secret, and Anthony Bourdain was a fan. They have a picture of him near the entrance.
Lucky Buddha Beer

Lucky Buddha Beer

Not at all specific to Li-Po Cocktail Lounge, but the shape of the glass is cool. Otherwise, it just tastes like Heineken.
They’ve also got bai-jiu, and deals like beer+bai-jiu for something like $15. If you haven’t had bai-jiu before, be warned: it tastes like jet fuel and probably has the strength of jet fuel.

A beer and *bai-jiu* combination, next to some mai tais.

Other Info

Accepts both cash and card. Minimum for credit card is $10. There’s an ATM near the front door. Restrooms are downstairs, which is not wheelchair accessible. They’ve also got TVs which play sports or whatever.

Li Po Lounge during the day. You can see their menu, a T-shirt they’re selling, and a yellow poster with Anthony Bourdain’s photo near the entrance.

It’s a dive bar, so it’s a casual place. I think this is a good place to hang out, especially if you’re from out of town since you’re more likely to meet other people here. If you’re trying to meet upscale people, they’re probably elsewhere.