Growth of 'academic bars' quenches thirst for knowledge

Dubbed "academic bars", drinking holes that quench an intellectual thirst for enlightening lectures and lively exchanges are mushrooming across China's big cities.

On lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu, topics related to academic bars have garnered millions of views, with their popularity in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, accelerating over the summer.

Typically lasting one hour, the lectures are generally free of charge or can be listened to for the price of a drink.

"Bars or pubs, which provide an informal setting, naturally bridge the psychological distance between the general public and serious academic content," said Bai Anke, a 27-year-old manager of Bunker, a popular academic pub in Shanghai.

"We've noticed that there is a large group of young people in Shanghai who have received higher or overseas education and still pursue serious knowledge after leaving campus.

"Being in an informal setting can be more relaxing, and provides a free environment while learning," she said, adding that the availability of alcohol, or other beverages, complements this scenario.

Shanghai is believed to be the first city in China to pioneer academic lectures in bars and pubs.

Two years ago, lectures to popularize biomedical knowledge started in The Tiny Bar in Huangpu district. In May this year, Bunker in Jing'an district, started hosting academic lectures, which unexpectedly sparked interest in the trend among young people on social media platforms.

Bai said they never promoted Bunker as an "academic pub".

"Discussions about work, life or even academic subjects in a pub or cafe are nothing new worldwide. Our lectures were at first inspired and given by the friends of Bunker's previous manager, who is a PhD candidate at Yale University.

"Since Bunker opened in April last year, we have always expected it to be a public space focusing on public values, and a friendly community where people can talk, communicate, share and grow. We have diverse cultural activities, and the academic content is only part of our vision," Bai said.

Although the origins of the Chinese term "academic bar" are unclear, Bunker earned the sobriquet over the summer.

"Since May, we have held 19 academic lectures in our first summer 'season', and three others after that. About 700 audience members have been to our lectures, with around 30 attending each one-hour lecture due to our limited space," Bai said.

Bunker's academic lectures require no reservations or advance bookings, with seats secured on a first-come-first-served basis. Bai said sometimes the 30 available seats are all occupied before the staff arrive. Consumption of drinks is not obligatory, she added.

"We were deeply impressed by a girl standing 31st in the line for one lecture," Bai recalled.

"She had just flown back from America and headed directly to our lecture from the airport. She was tearful as we could only have 30 people in the audience.

"But, lucky for her one audience member gave up their seat, which allowed us to welcome her inside. She was very active in listening, discussing and sharing on that day, giving us enormous positive feedback," said Bai.

The enthusiastic woman characterizes many attendees of academic bar lectures. They are mainly undergraduate and postgraduate students, PhD candidates, researchers, and young office workers, who all share an eagerness for knowledge and are curious about people, culture, life, science, society and the world, Bunker staff said.