Chongqing - A new cultural trend has emerged in Chongqing - academic bars in recent months. These unconventional venues blend intellectual discussions with casual social gatherings, creating a dynamic space for the city's youth to engage with a variety of academic subjects outside the classroom. 

One of the representatives in this trend is Hanhan, the owner of Zhengdian Homebar and the leader of an AI study group, who has brought the academic bar concept to life in Chongqing.

An academic bar event in Chongqing's Zhengdian Homebar (Photo/Hanhan)

This new wave of academic bars began earlier this year, with Hanhan's bar hosting a series of lectures on topics ranging from psychology to folklore, attracting a diverse crowd. 

"The guests who come to my bar fall into two extremes - those seeking entertainment and those in search of serious academic exchange," Hanhan explains. "But there are also many who fall somewhere in between." 

Hanhan's model fosters a collaborative environment unlike traditional academic settings, where one person speaks and others listen passively. After the host delivers the main lecture, participants are encouraged to share their views, discuss the topic, and engage with one another, making it a lively exchange of ideas.

When asked how she balances the seriousness of academic content witha bar'se relaxed, entertaining naturr, Hanhan said, "My academic bar events aren’t about teachers delivering long lectures like they do in classrooms. After theevent's first halft, where the host shares their insights, the most important part is the subsequent open discussion. People are encouraged to clash their ideas and experiences with the topic at hand and to interact with others on equal terms. This is how we balance seriousness and leisure."

Hanhan takes an interview in the new bar (Photo/Feng Xiaolou)

Attendees range from young people to children and middle-aged individuals, reflecting the inclusive nature of the events. Many are willing to commute up to two hours to attend these academic sessions, followed by more informal conversations and drinks.

One of the notable figures in Chongqing’s academic bar scene is Chengtuo, a young scholar who returned to Chongqing after studying in South Korea. 

Chengtuo has organized several academic events at Zhengdian Homebar. His personal connection with the bar was highlighted during one event when he proposed to his girlfriend during a debate on "Which is Happier: Loving or Being Loved?" The entire bar celebrated the intimate moment. In retrospection, "I hope that it becomes a sort of inspiration to my friends met in the bar to go for a better life," said Chengtuo.

An academic discussion in Zhengdian Homebar (Photo/Hanhan)

This December, Hanhan expanded her vision by relocating to a larger, two-story venue, hoping to further grow the academic bar culture in Chongqing. In addition to continuing the academic events, she plans to turn the space into a youth entrepreneurship club, supporting young entrepreneurs in the city by providing a place for networking, advice, and funding opportunities.