Beijing Boyce

Browns bolted onto the bar scene with an all-night two-for-one party and Beijing may never be the same. What makes this place special and can it and other bars targeting expatriate dollars survive? See below. / China passed the Entertainment Venues Management Regulations. Apparently, it does not cover bars and Internet cafes, but then again, as one investor writes: “This is some dire news for Beijing nightlife…. The new rule is that all Beijing KTVs, discos and the like must close at 2 AM. Bars were not expressly mentioned by name, but the inference is that they’re included.” More details to come. / Midnight bartenders George and Echo, and I, came up with a raspberry, blackberry and cherry martini, with a lemon zing. Not bad. If you’re thirsting for a fruity drink with a solid kick, try their GE (that’s “G” for George and “E” for Echo) – lychee liqueur, grapefruit juice, 151 rum and grenadine. / Tonight (February 24), John Bull Pub will hold a free tasting of wines from Taillan, a nine-year-old Sino-French venture just outside Beijing. Taillan’s Alain Leroux will be on hand to guide tasters and handle bottle sales. Call 13301-377-336 or email frank_siegel@hotmail.com for details. / Speaking of which, red wine should not be near ice cold, so why does it sometimes come that way even at reputable places, such as Centro and Pavillion? / Beers recently spotted at Jenny Lou’s on Sanlitun North: JW Dundee’s Honey Brown Lager (Rochester, New York) – 12.6 kuai; Beer Royal (Italy) – 13.6 kuai; Green King Indian Pale Ale (UK) – 12.6 kuai; and “beer with vitamins” Los Labos (US) – 10.6 kuai. / Also spotted at Jenny Lou’s: European Chamber of Commerce Head Giorgio Magistrelli. For all you pasta lovers out there, Giorgio hails from Italy and a peek in his cart shows his preferred brand is De Cecco. / Food establishment name of the week: “Beard Papa’s Pipin’ Hot Cream Puffs” (Oriental Plaza). / A look ahead: the next issue will include a rundown on Shanghai bars and a report on six different Chinese wines.

(From Beijing Boyce XI, first emailed on February 23, 2006)