Mailbag! Readers Writes (1 of 3)
In the BB33 piece “Readers Writes,” 17 people named their favorite Beijing bars. Here is one of three responses to that piece, as published in the most recent newsletter. (To get the newsletter, email beijingboyce@yahoo.com with “Eat, Drink and Be Merry” in the subject line.)
CHRIS DEVONSHIRE-ELLIS, lawyer, publisher and adventurer, produces China Briefing, China Expat, Mongolia Expat and 2point6billion.com, senior partner of Dezan Shira & Associates in China and India, 20 years in Beijing this year
Favorite bars
Centro: Bruce is the coolest barman in town, though he just moved back to Aria, and I get a great deal on Champagne. Pretty girls, jazz, Cuban cigars, and Pol Roger - what more could you want?
The Writers Bar: Newly reopened in the Beijing Raffles Hotel, this is where foreign correspondents used to hang out in the 1920s and 1930s. As far as I know, the only remaining pine sprung dance floor in the city.
Aria: To read the day’s flown-in International and Hong Kong newspapers from 6 PM for sundowners. Quiet, relaxed and good cocktails
Maggies: Well, I thought it should be mentioned. But I never go.
All-time favorites
Charlie’s Bar: Sadly now a pale shadow of its former self at the Jianguo Hotel, this was the place in the late 70s early 80s. It was a major event when the hotel got the first fax machine in Beijing. Man, there were some deals done in that bar.
The Snake Pit, Shekou: Near Shenzhen, this was one of the first bars in China. Serving the oil industry, so it was full of Scots and Texans. Nonprofit making, so the cheapest beer in town. No ties, no mobile phones and a disgusting snake-infused baijiu ritual to join. Brilliant.
Thoughts on the Beijing scene
To be honest, a bit repetitive. Hopefully, some of the old hotels will refurbish some of the bars that used to be the places to hang about in about 80 years ago. All wood paneled, steeped in intrigue and history. I find the insistence on Beijing’s new glitz a little wearing and rather tacky to be honest. There’s no real historic classic bar in Beijing.
