Beijing Boyce

According to clubzone.cn, Bling (map) will hold a different kind of ladies night on May 8 and 9 when it hosts “Playboy go-go dancers” at the club. Promising to bring “a Real Taste of L.A.” – hmm, I always thought that was a hot dog from Dodgers Stadium, but I digress – it appears the event will feature Liza Kaye, Thai Cali, Sasha Singleton, and Amber Scott breaking out their best bikinis for some Beijing booty shaking. Hmm, I may have to don my Speedo for this one. In any case, the event is sponsored by Pommery Champagne and there is a RMB50 cover charge.

By the way, the poster notes that the dancers are “real.” I didn’t realize there were hordes of fake Playboy dancers out there…

(Hat tip to Andrew “The Beijing Hugh Hefner” S.)

Mondays nights should mean a relaxing meal, perhaps a drink or two, and turning in early. Unless you end up with  DJ Chunky, Dr Doom, Mr Brau, and B-Daze. Then it means shooting the shit, shooting homemade rum,  and shooting down any hopes of getting home before the wee hours of the morning. Places visited…

Lugar (map): With the pool table eliminated downstairs, this place now has a slight Le Petit Gourmand feel, one that would be strengthened if those empty shelves end up lined with books. I could see myself popping in to check my email or read a book, then sampling some of the signature cocktails or dozens of single malts. The rooftop offers views of the surrounding hutongs and sports new furniture,  including patio-style chairs and tables, although sitting atop the glass floor is a bit unnerving.

The food menu has shifted from Vietnamese and Taiwanese snacks to salads, sandwiches, pastas, and the like. One patron found the lasagna tasty, while I thought the bread used for my sandwich too dry. Finally, the service could be better. The staff is friendly, but the two dozen people gathered on the roof for a “tweet-up” – a gathering of Twitter users – too often found themselves with empty bottles and glasses, to the point that people had to go downstairs to refresh their drinks.

Salud (map) (also known as e.a.t.): We sauntered down Nanluoguxiang and found that places either had a decent crowd (Reef Bar, Guitar Bar, Salud, etc) or were pretty much empty. We parked at Salud and did a few rounds of the homemade infused rums. I liked the Salud special, with its spicy aromas (cumin, cloves, etc) and strong cinnamon finish. The orange and clove would be better with added citrus power to balance the spices (add more rinds to the recipe?).

Chocolate (map): DJ Chunky, Mr Brau, and I figured this would be the one place with a solid crowd and we were right.

Maggie’s (map): The previous venue on Workers Stadium East had an earthy atmosphere that the newer spot on Ritan Park has been unable to evoke. The place is well-designed, with the traditional painted ceiling beams exposed, the bar nicely lit, and seating options that include lounge areas, a square bar, and space near the dance floor. And the service is quick and professional. It simply misses the vibe of the old place.

The Den (map): A final pit stop for fuel. As always, a late night at The Den draws a clientele almost as diverse as that at the Star Wars Cantina. I went for the least healthy item on the menu – The Den combo – which includes deep-fried mushrooms, potatoes, spring rolls, and two or three other items. There is no faster way to end a night than to put yourself into a food coma…

Out on a weekday in Beijing and looking for a late-night option? Check out Chocolate (map), which offers an over-the-top decor, a fun atmosphere, good service, and reasonably priced food and drinks. Even better, this place seems to be rocking every night of the week:

- Monday: Mr Brau, DJ Chunky and I arrived to find the dance floor packed with a mix of men and women, locals and expats. We ordered a bottle of Russian Standard vodka, an excellent deal at RMB238 per bottle. (Mixers are RMB20 per can, for those who don’t like their spirits straight up.) DJ Chunky, with the confidence meter cranked to high, approached two tables of ladies and got people at both up to dance.

- Wednesday: I went with a group of journos, including P-Jimmy, and found the place even busier. Not a table nor a seat at the long bar near the entrance was to be had, so we parked at the smaller bar. We passed on vodka and stuck to Corona (RMB30). Again, a good atmosphere, a packed dance floor, and a fun Russian band.

- Sunday: Two readers tell me they visited Chocolate and happily found the place busy and fun.

As Mr Brau says, “This place continues to impress. There are very few bars in this town that can deliver on a Monday night. And it delivers night in, night out.”

One criticism: On Wednesday, we ordered and paid for three beers and the staff only brought two. Later, I ordered and paid for a Corona, waited 15 minutes for the beer, then asked the staff for my drink. One of the bar employees suggested I had already consumed it – she pointed at the several empty bottles on the bar. They eventually gave me a beer. I found these incidents strange as I had not one problem with service on my previous dozen or so visits to Chocolate.