Beijing Boyce

Here are 10 reasons off the top of my head why The Rickshaw should take over the Browns location:

1. Remember when the Sanlitun beer mug was a beacon for those heading out for a night at the bars? Well, it got chai’d. The Rickshaw isn’t too far away and once that huge building behind it is finished, who knows?

2. Before The Rickshaw, there was Midnight, an extremely popular cocktail bar… until the bartenders fell out with the landlord and opened their own place (Q Bar). Well, the landlord hasn’t changed.

3. Part of The Rickshaw’s appeal is the balcony and deck. Come winter, they’ll be closed, reducing available space. Browns has lots of space, enough for a dozen-plus beer pong tables in that back room even.

4. First Saddle, then COX, then The Rickshaw. Expansion is in the owners’ nature.

5. The changing nature of Sanlitun South recently brought the closure of previously popular COX and makes the future doubtful for currently popular Saddle. This means The Rickshaw could merge staff from three establisments into a bigger place like Browns.

6. The success of Saddle, COX and The Rickshaw would make investors amiable to getting involved.

7. When Browns was in its heyday, it offered good food (burgers, pizza, wings), bar characters (Glenn, Jacky et al) and, well, okay music. The Rickshaw has very good food (burritos, wings, chicken burgers), bar characters (Chad, Luge et al), and, one might argue, much better music.

8. Nanjie is about to reopen nearby in the former Modern Nomads, a two-story spot that is a bit bigger than The Rickshaw. The Rickshaw can avoid slugging it out with Nanjie by moving to a bigger and better spot that brings the added benefits of more than one toilet.

9. The Rickshaw is at peak popularity and has the loyalty of COX and Saddle fans. It would be an instant hit in the Browns location and, even if it waned a bit, would be poised for a major Olympics payoff next summer.

10. Employees at magazines like that’s Beijing and City Weekend are regulars at The Rickshaw and, I’m guessing, would be fans if the place moved to Browns. There would be some substantial free promotion.

I could go on - if The Rickshaw moved to Browns, it could keep the place busy during daytimes by doubling as restaurant and Internet cafe (those high ceilings keep smoke at bay); it could offer up wings and pizza slices at that outer bar during busy weekend nights; it would be a natural spot for business and social groups to hold their events - but this is all idle speculation (so remember that if you’re furiously writing me an email) and it’s making me thirsty, so I’ll go back to quietly sipping my beverage…

(Hey, they could merge the names Browns and The Rickshaw and call it The Brick! Okay, really, I’m stopping… right now.)

A chain around the front door, no return calls from the managing partner, months of speculation about unpaid bills - indeed, it does seem that Browns has closed shop.

The questions is: what’s next?

If that space is available, I don’t see it lasting long. Even with monthly rent reportedly at 20,000 - that would be USD not RMB - the place has plenty of potential.

The Rickshaw around the corner is a good example of how to draw crowds: anyone can pour draft, but a high-quality draw (the food), character-driven staff and responsive management keep the patrons coming. (Q Bar is another example, with a good mix of quality drinks and well-known bartenders.)

Why not transfer that philosophy to Browns?

Oh, wait. In its early days, Browns did have good grub (many people went to Browns for dinner and drinks) and character-driven staff (Glenn, Jackie, et al).

So, what happened?

Well, there were neverending attempts to reach new niches and grab a few kuai, from 10-kuai shots (in response to Shooters, the net effect being to undermine Browns higher-priced drinks) to the Sunday night “pet races” (they literally raced mice and turtles in the bar). This short-sighted focus extended to a penny pinching attitude with the staff and drinks, and steadily drove away the early clientele that made Browns a success.

In any case, someone else will give it a go. And why not? Browns did so many things wrong in terms of HR, food and, especially, marketing, but still lasted 18 months. No doubt others out there will think they can get it right, and right in time for that huge Olympics payoff (hmm, I wonder if two-kuai wings would be a nice draw?)…

Tonight, after confirming Browns is closed, I did a walkabout in the Sanlitun South and North areas on my way home. A few notes:

1. Bookworm: Surprisingly, I received my iced tea in under five minutes, in contrast to my experience last weekend (see the post Sunday Service Showdown: Bookworm vs. Rickshaw coming up shortly).

2. Rickshaw: I had a spicy chicken burger (wholeheartedly recommended) and a bottle of Qingdao (thanks to the Aussies holed up there after being shut out of Browns).

3. Pure Girl 1, Pure Girl 2, Pure Girl 3, A ‘Lil High, Saddle, Aperitivo: Last night, the local authorities carted off all the tables these establishments had put out front for customers. No word if the “street widening” is permanent.

4. Tanewha - The name is still holding strong.

5. Cheers - A couple of customers, a nice chat with Leo; China Doll - about ten people upstairs; Kokomo - roofop half-full.

6. Home - Mark Twain and George Orwell were waiting.