Comments on: D Lounge: The closed-door policy of a Beijing bar

By: betti

betti — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:08:59 +0000

i love this blog!

brilliant. people get so emo about this kind of rejection. who wants another “regular” bar anyway? i’m all for upping the anti on the bar scene in whatever way it manifests itself.

every single time i’ve been there i’ve been able to get in just fine. i’m not particularly hot, i don’t know anyone that works there and i’m a very casual dresser. you either got it, or you don’t people. and if you do, you don’t sweat the small stuff.

party on.

By: acquaintance

acquaintance — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:00:11 +0000

thanks Jim for raising this one, as i think D Lounge risks being Beijing’s biggest let-down in ages…I mean, the place looks, sounds, even feels, SO good, but it seems determined to pursue a short-term strategy (not investing in service, appearing to favour a crowd that buys expensive drinks but only stays for an hour at the expense of the crowd that will settle in for the night and really contribute to the atmosphere, etc etc). Love your observation of the manager with his back to the door….have had the same experience several times, and somehow it sums it up perfectly.

By: chinawhite

chinawhite — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:13:13 +0000

Definitely not impressed with Management. Warren seems purposefully disinterested in customers or quality. Service is crap. Drinks are below average. The space is incredible, and I wish it was worth going, but I’m over it. Especially if it’s a crap shoot at the door. I spend good money, and am a loyal customer if you give me the chance, but I won’t be supporting D’s cause. Think its time for a Qbar resurgence.

By: Bob Louison (Spirit It)

Bob Louison (Spirit It) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:42:17 +0000

I share all those point of view. Also I can tell that Warren, is too freshly arrived in Beiijing and doesn’t catch the spirit of the City yet.

For me he’s a bit too cold, and not really a people person, for the relational. When we went there with my partner Ariel, to talk to him about the Absolut Cocktail Competition he barely try to listen what it was about or understand anything. Just looked at us with a down look at us. Result almost every best bartenders of the best venues in the cities will take part in the competition and they miss the opportunity to promote themselves in a big event like this.

I think, after few months, the management will change, and become chinese management as usual. Then the problem at the door might change.

It’s the same problem at Xiu, the door staff is so rude reminds me a certain China Doll….
I think every (big) new place that opens suffers of some doors problems. Such a shame as the venue is really nice in D.Lounge.

Let’s see how it evoluates.

By: boyce

boyce — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:47:26 +0000

@ dj chunky and jay man,

Good points all. And that’s what I meant about the spot being better in terms of hardware (decor, layout, etc) than software (lacking a consistent door policy, needing decent service on the floor, etc).

Cheers, boyce

By: jay man

jay man — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:40:56 +0000

Why don’t they simply shift to a dress code policy, like the one they have at Suzzie Wongs. That would filter out the unwanted clients.

Want more? Give the regulars (or people you want to become regulars) a VIP card, and apply a door charge for people without it.

Still too many people? hehe, daaaamn, you are lucky! :) go open another bar immediately!

Having a bouncer is not bad, but hardly necessary in Beijing, and I believe the “gorilla” at the door should be visible, but not intimidating. He should be polite and professional, not scary. (a protective big brother attitude). Just so that the customers feel safe.

I think D lounge is on a fast track of being labeled as “pretentious & posh”, a sort of thing that would work in Shanghai, but might not work in Beijing. Let’s wait and see.

I personally like the place, and I hope it works out for them.

Jay

By: dj chunky

dj chunky — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:20:22 +0000

Team D Lounge need to decide what they want to be- either a private members club or a regular bar. Cant be both. Being exclusive doesnt work when its applied indiscriminately: nobody wants to get all dressed up to make sure they get in and then dont. thats an experience that nobody wants (or forgets)

Its a poorly thought out strategy that is being clumsily
executed resulting in the wrong kind of publicity. Mix in a rap for patchy service and its a cocktail that also goes down the wrong way for the serious money flasher crowd (they so dearly covet)

Sort it out.