As anxiety among young Chinese people grows, fortune-telling bars are on the rise. According to the British newspaper The Guardian, a wave of fortune-telling bars has recently emerged in major cities across China, and a bar in Beijing called “One As All” is one of them. The bar is hidden on the 12th floor of a commercial building. The price of a glass of wine is 88 yuan, a symbol of good luck. Customers can also “seek fortunes” in the store to try to find their future direction. From a private side room of the fortune-telling bar, you can smell the smell of burning incense.

Fortune-telling bars are rapidly gaining popularity among young people in China, reflecting a broader turn toward the “spiritual economy” as anxiety and uncertainty about the future increase. Establishments like “One As All” in Beijing exemplify this trend: the bar is discreetly located on the 12th floor of a commercial building and offers drinks starting at 88 yuan, a price chosen for its association with good luck in Chinese culture.

Key features of these bars include:
– Spiritual services: Customers can consult in-house fortune tellers who use traditional methods such as qiuqian (Chinese lottery sticks), tarot readings, bazi consultations, and crystal healing.
– Atmosphere: The environment is designed to evoke a sense of mysticism, with elements like incense burning in front of Taoist shrines and dim lighting contributing to the ambiance.
– Personalized guidance: Young fortune tellers, often from Gen Z, provide direct and personalized advice, interpreting spiritual symbols and offering reassurance about relationships, career, and personal growth.
– Social and emotional support: These bars serve as spaces where young people can openly express their anxieties—handwritten notes at the entrance reveal common worries about exams, relationships, and financial success.

The rise of fortune-telling bars is driven by:
– Economic and social pressures: A sluggish job market and falling wages have left many young Chinese feeling uncertain about their prospects, prompting them to seek hope and direction through spiritual means.
– Changing entertainment preferences: Spiritual bars have become a new form of entertainment, blending traditional Chinese religious, philosophical, and medicinal practices with modern nightlife culture.
– Growing market: The “pan-mental health” and “superstition” economies are booming, with the sector projected to reach $1.5 billion next year.

This trend is not limited to Beijing: Similar venues have appeared in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, and other major cities, indicating a nationwide movement among urban youth. While these bars offer comfort and community, their rise has also attracted scrutiny from authorities concerned about the spread of superstition.