Adieu, Rui Fu
For about two months, I was a regular at Rui Fu, conveniently located on the Houhai to Workers’ Stadium / Sanlitun route. It was a spacious retreat, had the big-name backing of Henry Li (Vogue, Neo Lounge), and provided vivid memories for at least one plush monkey. Despite all this promise, Rui Fu has bid adieu.
I needed to see it myself. So, after the Plastered t-shirt party out Houhai way last night, I popped by and found Rui Fu’s revolving door jammed by furniture. I couldn’t budge it.
I heard no music nor saw any human activity. So, I popped around back. The parking lot was empty. The second-floor lights were off. Through the window, I saw two shirtless guys drinking beer and playing cards, undoubtedly there to protect the place just in case meddling amateur bar writers showed up.
At that point, I went into Scooby Doo mode and deduced that Rui Fu, indeed, is closed. I tugged at the doors a dozen or so times to confirm it.
It’s too bad Rui Fu didn’t make it. I thought the location was good (plus that old residence out back - the former premier’s? - is hauntingly beautiful). It drew an interesting crowd. Even so, I eventually drifted elsewhere due to the spotty bar service and constant theme parties (as I asked my friends, how many times did Henry Li expect us to dress up like schoolgirls?). I also think China Doll hastened Rui Fu’s demise by siphoning off some of its customers, though that demise was not a foregone conclusion, which in the end is what makes the whole thing sad…
(After checking on Rui Fu, I visited Mistica Cafe - if you’re heading through the gate to the Rui Fu parking lot, take a right instead of a left. This cafe is spacious and pleasantly decorated in warm colors, with most of the seating for groups of four or less. There are a few tables outside. Mistica offers plenty of juice, tea, coffee, milkshake and other drink choices, mostly in the 15-25 kuai range, with cocktails at 30 kuai - I skipped these. The staff is friendly, perhaps a bit too much so, checking on me every three minutes and, as special treatment, putting on a French song that they consecutively played more than a half-dozen times. Still, the intentions were good, and this is a nice little place…)
No comments
