-Academic bars- are quietly emerging, young people favor -relaxed learning-

On October 15, in Beijing, an intriguing trend is emerging: academic bars. These venues are capturing the interest of young people who are drawn to a more relaxed approach to learning.

“From Newton’s ‘Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy’ to Kant’s Critical Philosophy and Darwin’s theory of evolution, a defining feature of the past several centuries is the continuous emergence of groundbreaking ideas. When thoughts are encoded as data and history expressed through functions, what insights might these patterns offer us?” In a bar named “Universal Lounge” located in Beijing’s Haidian District, speaker Li Xiaokai passionately shared his thoughts.

With a cocktail in hand, soothing music in the background, and a few simple slides displayed, the atmosphere was alive with a vibrant discussion spurred by Li’s engaging presentation. This phenomenon, referred to on social media as “academic bars,” is gaining traction in areas like Haidian’s Wudaokou, the trendy 798 Art Zone in Chaoyang, and the blend of history and modernity found in Dongcheng’s Longfu Temple shopping district. The lectures cover an impressive range of topics, including history, philosophy, art, and modern technology, attracting audiences largely recruited via social media.

“I hope to meet more friends interested in my topic through these lectures and gain new insights through in-depth discussions,” stated Li, a doctoral student in System Science at Beijing Normal University. His presentation focused on his research titled “Quantifying the History of Ideas.”

This was Li’s first experience hosting an academic lecture in a bar, and he found the turnout exceeded his expectations. The venue, with a capacity of about 40, was packed; some attendees came for a taste of the novelty, others because they were intrigued by the subject matter, while some simply stumbled upon the event.

Mr. Du, a 29-year-old self-described “thoughtful programmer,” shared that he is usually interested in topics like philosophy and the universe. He dedicated two hours to arrive at the lecture, which he found impressive due to the books scattered throughout the bar, the notices for upcoming academic talks on the walls, and the casual seating arrangements. He expressed enjoyment of the lively exchanges, admitting that the experience exceeded his expectations.

Another attendee, Zhang Yifei, a young university instructor, reflected on the idea of “learning in a relaxed atmosphere,” which he fully endorses. He strives to create a lighthearted classroom environment, preferring to be seen as a facilitator of ideas rather than a strict lecturer. He hopes for active engagement from students instead of passive absorption of knowledge.

In Zhang’s perspective, “Academic bars provide an excellent form of social interaction and learning. They attract diverse audiences, enabling rich discussions to flourish in a relaxed setting, where different viewpoints create a wonderful chemistry.”

This trend isn’t limited to Beijing; academic bars are quietly gaining popularity in other cities as well. Data from Meituan reveals a 142% increase in searches for “academic bars” in October compared to September, with over half of the searches coming from users aged 20 to 30. The hottest search areas include Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. On the young user-centered platform Xiaohongshu, there have been over 6,000 posts related to “academic bars,” indicating a rapidly growing interest.

However, some critics on social media have raised concerns: “Does engaging in academic discussions in entertainment-oriented bars undermine their seriousness?” “Can audiences grasp complex academic concepts?” “Is academia merely a gimmick for businesses to attract customers?”

Professor Lang Jinsong from Communication University of China argues that disseminating knowledge to the public requires both high-quality content and creative means of delivery. He believes that idea exchange and sharing should not be restricted by participants, settings, or spaces. The key to breaking boundaries lies in whether such discussions can inspire wisdom and elevate societal awareness.

“Hosting lectures in bars is largely a proactive exploration by today’s youth to find a better balance between learning and leisure, providing a new space for professional discussions and enhancing communication. However, it is crucial to discern whether the content is merely a personal viewpoint or a systematic academic exploration, and to be wary of academic discussions becoming mere marketing gimmicks,” Lang cautioned.