“知识配酒，越喝越有”……朋友，酒吧去吗？可以听学术讲座的那种！

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

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

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.

"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.

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.

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.

Working with a venue in Jing'an district, Xiaohongshu launched a pop-up academic bar in Shanghai on Sept 7 and 8, featuring more than 10 lectures on topics including philosophy, reading, critical thinking, life experiences, anti-aging technology, and language learning.

As the closing event for Xiaohongshu's summer school program, the pop-up bar had attracted 1,500 participants, who were randomly selected online, said Sun Qiyao, head of the Xiaohongshu project.

"This year, we have been focusing more on knowledge that is related to and helpful for individuals, as we found out that young people are actually well-educated. In the fast-paced daily hustle and bustle, they are in need of more knowledge to navigate, safeguard and enrich their lives, such as information and experience on careers, finance, laws, health, psychology and culture," Sun said.

Both Bai and Sun agreed that to some extent, drinks can make the audience members relaxed and "merry enough", which sets academic bars apart from class settings, seminar rooms or cafes. The social lubricant also encourages attendees to be braver in raising questions, joining in discussions, and making new friends.

"I see the essence of the academic bar as a proper space for a certain group of audiences to share and discuss certain topics. So I would say that the 'academic bar' should actually be called the 'knowledge bar'," Sun said.

"The lecture was about a published paper of mine. It was still a challenge for me to explain the academic content in simple and brief words to an audience outside the field. Although I was unsure if such a topic would be accessible to them, it turned out quite positive and interactive," Li Chenghao said.

"I even received some really good and valuable advice from them, as they could see things from different views and aspects based on their various work experiences."

"The audiences at the lectures are kind of 'self-selected' ones," she said. "They usually share similar knowledge, interests or curiosity about the same topic, and are willing to learn and be open for discussion.

"For me, it is interesting to learn from them, expand my horizons and better understand society and the world," said Liu Qingge, noting such lectures can offer the public a broad "general education" on various aspects of life.

The booming trend is also injecting new vitality into the hospitality industry. Many people have a negative impression of bars and pubs, but the academic lectures are changing the stereotype. More patrons, especially those who don't drink, are stepping into bars for the very first time.

"I think academic bars have found a new path for bars and pubs in China. Actually, bars have an innate cultural quality. These small public cultural spaces for talks and discussions are what we are missing now," said Dyingsight, the stand-up comedian.

Liu Qingge, the frequenter of the lectures, said academic bars are part of new business forms that represent change, development and fresh opportunities in society.

Instead of being overly criticized or having too great expectations placed on them, they should be encouraged, even though they may be viewed as a marketing gimmick, she said.