Bookworm

Běijīng’s excellent Bookworm wormed its way down to Sūzhōu, serving as a kind of comfy cultural hub, library, bookshop and cafe. The food is crowd-pleasing (lots of Western options) and the cold beers include Tsingtao and Erdinger. There are readings, live music, an open mic and you can borrow or buy books. Ask about its literary festival, held in March.