Beijing Boyce

Kokomo stripped off its rooftop covering today. Expect an opening party Friday with two DJs and summer drink specials.

The Saddle Cantina will close from11 PM tonight (Sunday) to 6 PM on Tuesday as it refinishes its floor. The Saddle was packed last night with one going-away and three birthday parties.

Construction on the new China Doll, on the top floor of 3.3 Building, is coming along. The lounge will face Sanlitun’s main strip and be accessible by an elevator. The main area has a bar and dance floor, with a VIP room and seven themed private rooms extending off them. Two elevators will provide access from the street behind. Expect plenty of curves, ellipses, and circular platforms in the design. An extension will be built to the north with China Doll taking the 400-square-meter rooftop.

The Cellar Rat says that his “find of the month” is the OT Lounge. Decent cocktails and good jazz in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere impressed him. “It’s not huge, but if you’re out with a few friends, it’s nice place to hang out,” he says.

Phil’s Pub, the friendly neighborhood bar just south of the old Sanlitun South Street, has closed.

Reader EB informed me Friday that she noticed the pub’s sign gone. On closer inspection, she found a message stating that it had closed.

I called owner Phil, who with wife Sally has operated one of the more reasonably priced places in town for more than four years. He said the current landlord is taking over the building for redevelopment, thus denying many a patron from enjoying a GT while mowing down a pile of chuan’r delivered from across the street.

Phil is looking for a new spot. Watch this blog for an update.

Across the way, Black Sun and Dimple remain open.