Beijing Boyce

Browns offers two-for-one drinks tonight (February 10). This is a chance to check out (cheaply) what may well become one of Beijing’s best bars. I’ll be there around 8:30 and would love to meet people who get this newsletter (look for me in the gold jacket). Browns’ Glenn Phelan writes, “It’s all night long. It only excludes full bottles of spirits, wines and Champagne,” and adds, “I have got a funky DJ so it should be a good gig.” Two Guinness for 35 kuai: that’s the “good gig”! (Note: Browns, which is pretty much a knock-off of the very popular Carnegie’s in Taipei, is on Sanlitun South, 50 meters from The Bookworm and above The Loft). / After a nearly two-month hiatus, icehouse will reopen on February 13, with Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band providing the blues. A recent ad described RBL, of which icehouse is a part, as “a distinctive modern life-style concept with a unique combination of a Restaurant, Bar and Lounge under one roof.” Yes, yes, but can they make a martini? Another ad, in Beijing Talk, shows pictures of superstars with whom band member Felton Crews has played: Buddy Guy, Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis and (bizarrely) “Fresh Whole Tuna” (yes, it’s a picture of sushi). / CD Jazz Club will be without live music for a month or so, apparently due to nearby subway construction, and that means Ah-Q fans must get their fix elsewhere. You can reach the club at 6506-8288. (Thanks to Matt R for the tip.) By the way, I hear CD’s pasta is excellent. / I’ve written numerous times that Midnight has excellent drinks, but that the owner’s omnipresent cronies can be off-putting. An inside source tells me the bar is going through what might be called “human resource adjustments” and will soon be “crony-free.” (A shakeup was inevitable between the quality-loving bartenders and the owner and the former seem to have won out.) Expect some changes to the bar’s layout as well. / According to that’s Beijing, Pass By Bar will soon open Pass By Restaurant and serve tapas. / Richard Xavia, former manager of RBL (which includes Icehouse), is consulting for The Pavillion, while the aforementioned Glenn Phelan, brought in from Ireland a few months ago to manage Pavillion, has jumped to Browns. / Last issue, I wrote that the land on which Midnight, Browns, Bookworm, First Cafe, Pink Loft and others sit was apparently sold. Update: it was apparently the nearby plot behind Pacific Century, with bidding starting at 250 million and ending at 500 million (thanks to Eric H for the info). / Valentine’s Day is a marketer’s wet dream and a cynic’s dry heave. Instead of blowing your cash on some over-priced lovers’ package at a hotel, restaurant or bar, why not but some candles and wine (a nice Fleischer from Palette Vino would be nice) and do it yourself at home? As for food, nothing says love like a few slices of Buona pepperoni pizza.

(From Beijing Boyce X, first emailed on February 10, 2006)
### Pizza Buona The Pavillion Midnight Browns Icehouse Pass By Bar CD Jazz Club