There are not many places in this city where you can listen to country music or blues, but Nashville provides just that. This two-story venue has live music downstairs 7 nights a week, around 9pm. Listen for blues, country and bluegrass usually Thursdays and Saturdays. Order from a good selection of draft beers at Nashville. Lunches and snacks are also available, as are Cuban cigars.

XICHENG DISTRICT. This cozy, rustic teashop and bookstore is a great place for meeting people and sipping tea in the evenings, Monday to Friday. At weekends it opens its doors to traditional Chinese music, performed by some of Beijing's best classical musicians. Music starts about 8:30pm, with Friday being Jazz Night, and on Saturday evenings musicians play traditional Chinese instruments such as the pipa and the guzheng.

Beijing's best location for live jazz, the CD Cafe features live jazz quartets seven days a week, playing not only smooth jazz classics, but also blues, funk and some interesting fusions.

DONGCHENG DISTRICT. Originally located at the Workers Stadium, this famous live music venue was relocated in late 2007. This venue plays host to a range of live bands ­ from jazz to blues to reggae to hip-hop. It can have a highly-charged atmosphere and attracts an eclectic crowd. Depending on the band, an admission fee is sometimes requested.