Bridges Cafe And Cultural Exchange « Notes From Xi'an 西安随感

Bridges Cafe And Cultural Exchange

I have been coming here on and off since it opened back in 2009 but I am only now adding it to my list of coffee shops. I am not entirely sure why it has taken so long for me to include it, as I have always considered it one of the better coffee shop environments in Xi’an. It is at least up there with the Sculpting In Time cafes. Its exclusion probably has most to do with the fact that it is quite a way out west, which means I haven’t often been out that way with camera in hand. It did, actually, only take me about 20-30 minutes to cycle to Bridges today from southern Chang’an Lu.

The area it is in, way out towards the end of Keji Lu (the junction with zhang ba bei lu/丈八北路) in Gao Xin, hasn’t traditionally been an area of many potential customers, but that is now changing. Areas that were once on the periphery are now finding themselves solid members of the city’s urban landscape.

The place itself is very relaxed, with a touch of sophistication arising from the mix of dark wooden furniture and complimentary soft furnishings. The old style window frames hanging on the walls act as blackboards, picture frames and ornamentation; while the grey bricked counter, solid slate surface top and silver coffee machine, create a stylish focal point at the back of the cafe. Simple and subtle lighting supports the whole environment. There are about a dozen seating areas where couples or groups of 6-8 can sit, chat and eat together. Bridges is a chilled spot that is enhanced by a good selection of drinks, cookies and western food; none of which are crazy expensive, although the portions aren’t huge.

If you go down Keji Lu you need to carry on past the SIT café, Starbucks and C’est La Vie that are all near the corner of Gao Xin Si Lu. It is about another 5-10 minutes cycle down towards the junction with Zhang Ba Bei Lu, where there is a McDonalds on the right of the junction. At this junction of Keji Lu and Zhang Ba Bei Lu turn left. You then need to continue for about 500 meters, through the next junction, and Bridges is on the left. It is past a number of shops that are housed beneath the flats above. If I remember clearly it is the second block of shops after that junction, on Zhang Ba Bei Lu.