Beijing Boyce

The next time you pick up booze in the T3 terminal, thank Kevin Shen: he’s in charge of picking the wines, Whiskies and other whistle-wetters there. Here are his Beijing bar picks:

Kro’s Nest
I am not a beer drinker, but I would not say no to Kro’s on a Tuesday night when Tsingtao flows for five kuai (sometimes into paper cups!) and goes well with the New-York style pizzas. At Kro’s, I can just be myself, talk sh*t, and nobody cares much. That’s how I like it.

Face
I simply adore the place: the interior design, the attentive staff, the wine selection, the food, and the gourmet chocolates.

Intercontinental Hotel (Financial Street)
Oscar Wilde, who famously said, “Work is the curse of the drinking classes”, repeatedly expressed his love of Champagne. I totally agree with him. With Champagne prices up 10 to 15 percent per year, a Sunday brunch that includes free-flow Moet Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, Laurent Perrier, and Mumms is a bargain! Who needs food, when each glass contains 150 calories, no fat, and no carbs?

Q Bar
The cocktails here are about fresh ingredients, quality spirits, and the right garnishes by bartenders with know-how. Q Bar simply has it all. On top of that, they have the best vodka and Whiskey selection in town.

Awana
OK, it’s more restaurant than bar, but the lovely Chris lets me work behind the bar when I’m in the mood to make my own Martini. And let’s not forget the authentic Malaysian food!

File this under “good while it lasted.”

Sanlitun South restaurant Revelations ended its seven-month run on Friday. Despite highly touted chefs from Hong Kong and one of the better-value set lunch deals in Bejiing, Revelations usually had but a handful of full tables at any given meal. Frankly, the cavernous layout and eclectic decor didn’t help, as they gave the place the combined feel of a restaurant, lounge, three-star hotel lobby, Olympics tribute (huge pillars!) , gallery, and, with that massive ovular light above the bar, beaming station for a spaceship.

Early rumblings suggest Revelations, which opened in the space that once housed Browns, will return to the scene as a nightlife spot.