Beijing’s First 3D Movie Café Opens in Houhai

If you’ve ever wished you could watch a crystal-clear 3D movie without leaving your favourite coffee spot—or better yet, while sipping a well-brewed cup—Beijing now has an answer. Nestled in a traditional courtyard in the artsy Houhai neighbourhood, a new kind of café is turning heads by merging cinematic immersion with specialty coffee culture.

Beijing’s first 3D movie café, called Best Times (‘’), features a massive 120-inch 3D projection screen, allowing guests to enjoy high-definition 3D films with their coffee in hand. It’s the country’s very first café to offer this hybrid movie-and-coffee experience.

What Is Best Times—and Why It’s Different

Best Times is not just another themed café. Tucked away in a hutong courtyard in Beijing’s artsy Houhai area, the venue combines a relaxed coffeehouse atmosphere with a full-on 3D movie screening setup. Its centrepiece is a 120-inch 3D projection screen, making it possible for customers to enjoy blockbuster-quality 3D films while sipping their drinks.

The concept came from owner Xiaosong, a self-proclaimed 3D movie enthusiast who never misses a domestic 3D release. After seeing how passionately Chinese audiences embraced 3D since the release of Avatar, she envisioned a space where movie lovers could gather over coffee and immersive visuals.

How 3D Technology Made It Possible

Xiaosong initially thought the idea was too complex to pull off. But advancements in 3D projection technology changed the game. According to her, all it took was “a 3D projector, a 3D screen, and some Blu-ray discs” to bring the vision to life. The café uses the LG CF3DA 3D projector—the first 3D projection device to enter the Chinese market in 2011—which brought professional-grade image quality to a casual setting.

The LG CF3DA combines the large-screen impact of a theatre with the accessibility of home entertainment. Its size and picture clarity make it ideal for a café environment, offering an experience comparable to a cinema without the crowds or ticket lines.

Why This Café Works as a Community Hub

Beyond the tech, Best Times has quickly become a gathering point for 3D film fans in Beijing. The combination of a carefully curated movie program, comfortable seating, and great coffee has turned the space into more than just a screening room—it’s a cultural hub where cinephiles can connect over shared interests.

Xiaosong also noted how the ease of operating the 3D projector allowed her to increase screening frequency. That regular programming helped the café build a loyal following, attracting both locals and visitors eager for something beyond the usual coffee shop fare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Beijing’s first 3D movie café located?

Beijing’s first 3D movie café, Best Times (‘’), is located in a traditional courtyard in the Houhai area, known for its artistic and historic hutong neighbourhoods.

What makes Best Times different from other cafés?

Best Times is the first café in China to feature a 120-inch 3D projection screen, allowing customers to watch high-definition 3D movies while enjoying coffee, combining cinema and café culture in one experience.

What 3D projector does the café use?

The café uses the LG CF3DA 3D projector, which was the first 3D projection device to enter the Chinese market in 2011. It offers professional-grade image quality and a large-screen viewing experience.

Can you just go and watch 3D movies there?

Yes, the café regularly screens 3D films, creating a community space for 3D movie enthusiasts to enjoy immersive cinema along with coffee in a relaxed hutong courtyard setting.

Is the café popular among locals?

Yes, thanks to its unique combination of 3D movie screenings and coffee, Best Times has quickly built a loyal local following as a cultural meeting spot in Beijing.

Do I need special glasses to watch 3D movies at the café?

Yes, 3D movie viewing typically requires 3D glasses, which are presumably provided by the café as part of the screening experience, though the article does not specify.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cinema Evenings

Pair your 3D movie night at Beijing’s Best Times café with a bag of FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright citrus and floral tones, or their washed Yirgacheffe for juicy berry notes and a tea-like body. Both single origins shine in a casual tasting setting and complement the immersive visuals. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.