…is back. And so is the bar beside it, closed since early this year and now sporting a décor that takes this Ritan Park location yet another step away from its former earthy digs on Workers Stadium East.
The stripped down interior is highlighted by an island bar, by a more exposed dance floor and DJ area, by stools replacing sofa areas and cubby holes, and by a rainbow of lights that binds the club proper, the strategically placed racks of bottles, and the traditional roof beams replete with colorful scenes that are visible through a cutout that runs the length of the ceiling. This all takes the look up a notch, though it comes off as a bit sanitized, a situation that might change when a second area under renovation is opened.
But as usual, the attention to detail is evident, the service solid, the toilets spotless, and the dance floor swamped when ABBA is played. The average Beijing bar would do well to send its staff here to learn how to operate a place.
In terms of beverages, this still tends to a land of extremes, with two of the most popular drinks being beer, especially the cheapest item Tsingtao at RMB30, and Champagne, staring with Moet at RMB1200. And yes, the hot dogs (now RMB30) taste the same as always.
Last night saw a strong turnout, with a generally amicable crowd sprinkled with the typical handful of degenerates. I think we can safely call it a successful hard reopening.
Note: Thanks to 8 Songs for the photo. He and partner Ba Songs were the first couple to hit the dance floor at the reopening.
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Boyce,
That hot dog inthe photo is the one we bought as a warming agent for the cold walk home last night. But ours was cold at one end, and a little dry. Perhaps the cook is still honing is skills.
As for the bar behind the stand, which I note you carefully avoided naming, I thought of it as “Something old/Something new”. New layout, furniture, uniforms for the staff, yet the same old happenings, with lots of girls and lots of foreign guys.
I spoke to one of the barmen, who told me the only reason they closed was due to the Olympics. Renovations will take about another month, which is when the pool table will be back.
Something else new – I don’t remember Chinese guys being allowed in on their own before, but last night we saw several. Something old – the music was perfectly balanced and timed, with the beat ramping up a notch each 30 minutes until the dance floor was packed.
Last night was like Old Home Week, with so many people coming in and greeting each other like long-lost brothers/sisters. One wonders whether they all simply stopped going to bars for the last 8.5 months?
You are right – any bar owner would kill for a crowd like that, especially on a Monday night. I spoke to Russell from The Pavillion, who told me he had heard the rumours and took himself off duty to come see for himself.
It was like the place had never closed – by midnight we had a heady mix of great dance music, provocatively-dressed women, men with wads of cash (did you see that table of Russians who went through 3 bottles of Moet in minutes?), throbbing crowds and alcohol. There were also early signs that the Mongolian economy is about to improve significantly.
I couldn’t help but think, the world is full of talk about economic gloom and tough times ahead, but where else to go and ease the pain and find salvation than at The Church.
The hot dogs at IKEA are awesome and only RMB 3 per!
@ Fletch,
But you don’t get to eat them in the freezing cold on the edge of darkened park.
Cheers, Boyce
@ 8 Songs,
Yep, I saw people sucking back Champagne like a camel refueling after a three-day oasis-free midsummer hike through the Gobi.
And at RMB1200 and up a bottle.
That’s the thing: These guys charge more than most of the high-end places and get away with it.
The other thing is the service: Whoever does training has consistently been able to create a well-oiled machine – employees work together, know how to handle problem patrons, keep their cool, get drinks quickly, and on and on. I can’t think of one major issue with service last night. I can’t say the same of my visits even to five-star hotels / high-end spots in Beijing.
Cheers, Boyce
@boyce : is the house wine still at 35/glass ?
Locals in Xingfu’ercun have known for months that the whole standing around in the cold waiting for a hot dog trick has been perfected at No More Bunz.
Did you ever manage to find that place?
Hot dogs 9RMB small / 15 RMB large
Sausages 15 RMB small / 25 RMB large
I’ve never had the large, since the small already projects a full three inches past both ends of the standard size hot dog bun.
Speaking of hot dogs, I’ve seen abandoned hot dog carts in front of Vics on Gongti North, and on Sanlitun. I think I also remember something about No More Bunz expanding to a Sanlitun location, but I can’t remember for sure.
Last I saw there was a small No More Bunz hot dog stand next to the old Pure Girl chain. It wasn’t open quite yet when I was there a few weeks back.
Yep, the Olympics must be over, Maggie’s reopens, along with all the 8RMB DVD shops, well, I guess Beijing is Beijing again.
@ BeijingDaze,
Dunno, but Moet is RMB1200 per bottle and Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon is RMB880 per bottle. Defining high markup…
Cheers, Boyce
@ Arthoof,
I decided to not even look for No More Bunz, given that I am a booty man.
Haven’t seen any abandoned hot dog carts near Vics, but I have seen the one in front of Swing on Sanlitun North. It doesn’t look functional but the staff told me that, indeed, if I wanted a hot dog they could procure if for me.
Cheers, Boyce
@ Andrew,
Thanks, will check it out this week! Guess I’ll have to rescind my booty comment.
Cheers, Boyce
@ scott,
The only thing still not normal is the air – is it just me or have we had more blue sky days the past few months than is typical at this time of year?
Cheers, Boyce
I see even China Briefing reported it – on the night that it reopened! That shows how serious news it is LOL
@ TexMex,
Hey, isn’t China Briefing the official media partner for Maggie’s?
Anyway, for those who haven’t seen it, here’s the story:
http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2008/12/08/maggies-bar-reopens-in-beijing.html
Cheers, Boyce
You are right, the air quality does seem a bit better post Olympics — bonus.
THE HOT DOT STAND. way back, even though i lived near China Central i would go all the way to ritan park after a night out to eat these hotdogs.
… now i’m a vegetarian. hahahaha.