Beijing Boyce

I am not a fan of Houhai given its copycat bars, wailing crooners, and aggressive touts (on Lotus Lane), but I like a few places there, including La Baie des Anges.

I have added East Shore Jazz Cafe to that list. Maybe that’s because it is away from the action.

This is a cozy L-shaped spot with a sloped ceiling, a faux loft, a decor based on woods, plenty of candles, and, of course, live jazz on most nights. It offers an impressive panoramic view of Houhai that 1) makes the far-off gaudiness of the bar strips seem somewhat romantic and 2) would make it possible for a sniper with a quality scope to fire a few close warning shots should the touts get within 100 meters of the place (using paint pellets, of course).

The office-like black chairs are a bit uncomfortable and the place is so dim that a flashlight is needed to see the menu, but the scented candles, overall atmosphere, and the view are appealing.

Imported beers start at RMB35 for the likes of Hoegaarden, while a glass of wine starts at RMB30 for an Argentine Sauvignon Blanc from Michel Torino.

UPDATE: Andy Lee at NBA China kindly informs that cctv5 didnt start showing the Super Bowl until 8 AM.

Sort of like The Olympics had more drawing power than The Paralympics, this year’s Super Bowl saw much smaller crowds at the city’s sports bars. Yes, there are fewer people around an 18-0 season was not on the line this time around, but the simple fact is that Pittsburgh and Arizona simply don’t have the fan base here of New York and New England, which played last year.

It’s too bad, because the fourth quarter of this battle almost convinced me to become an NFL fan, given the stirring comebacks of both teams and a game-winning touchdown pass that defined the words “spiral” and “precision.”

Anyway, here is a wrap of sports bars visited:

Stadium: This spot in China View was… closed? The only entry I know, that door alongside Drei Kronen 1308, featured a lock.

Hooters: I arrived at 7:45 AM and the game was… not on? No signal, although employees told me they would have it by 8 AM. The three tables of patrons did not look happy.

The Den: The RMB50 entry fee included breakfast and downstairs was crowded. In case anyone wondered if this place would be showing the game, a huge banner and several posters outside delivered the message. Nice.

The Rickshaw: Last year, space even at the top of the stops was hard to come by. This year, most of the tables were full upstairs, with only one patron downstairs (by the looks of him, he might have been sitting there since last year’s Patriots-Giants game).

Blue Frog: About 10 people, although this spot didn’t advertise showing the game.

The Saddle Cantina: More employees than patrons, with fewer fans than you could count on the fingers of one hand.

Luga’s Villa: About two dozen patrons watched the game on four screens, including a big one installed behind the stage. The RMB25 breakfast looked pretty good.

Paddy O’Shea’s: A solid crowd of about 40 people. I had the half-price ‘Irish breakfast” – good value and filling for RMB34.

Goose and Duck: More patrons than all of the other venues combined. I watched the second half here, which provided separate viewing areas with the Chinese-language and the English-language feeds. On top of this, NFL China handed out goodies at the door, a team of cheerleaders performed numerous times, and a three-meter high billboard of Larry Fitzgerald did a tour of the bar after that player scored a late and what many thought winning touchdown for the Cardinals. The Steelers had other plans, though, and delivered the crushing blow with just 35 seconds left – that perfect pass I mentioned.

I understand that The Pomegranate drew a few dozen patrons, while newcomer to the sports scene, The Stumble Inn, had about a dozen. I’m not sure about Frank’s Place, though I imagine it drew, as usual, a good chunk of its loyal followers, or All-Star, as I only learned late on Sunday night that this place would even show the game.

In the end, far smaller crowds than last year, though the vibe was good at The Den, The Rickshaw, Luga’s Villa, and Paddy O’Shea’s, with the Goose and Duck being the runaway winner (again).

Double the ping, double the pain...

See here for a list of Beijing venues showing the Super Bowl.

-

Source: flypig’s photostream