Beijing Boyce

As the year stumbles to an end, I have been mulling over a “top 888 bar stories of 2009” post — cause lists are all the rage and, like, 8 is a lucky number in China — but then realized there is but one story: it appears M1NT is not opening. Seriously, unless we enter 2010 with an over-hyped club complete with massive shark tank, how can we  consider this a cosmopolitan city? I guess we’ll just have to live in shame (could someone please pass me the yangrou chuan?).

Anyway, it seems like every bar and its sibling is having a party tonight. Last year, I went to Tun, Q Bar, and finally The Den, where I guzzled drinks and pub grub alongside a bunch of chefs, bar and restaurant managers, and musicians – people who appreciate value (see: combo platter; four-cheese pizza; RMB25 James Boag’s). This year: who knows?

Chocolate is going retro, Bed Bar has Laurent Perrier Champagne at RMB480 per bottle, Paddy O’Shea’s has the antics of Karl “Who’s Your Paddy?” Long, SALT has a five-course menu (RMB488; RMB688 with free-flow bubbly; call 6437-8457 to RSVP), and Fubar will feature DJ Chunky and DJ Tipsy, whose tenure is over at Danger Doyle’s and who plans to have a new place open early in the new year.

The new White Rabbit in Tongli Studio will be hopping from 9 PM to 5 AM with four DJs (RMB50), the Yen Countdown will be on 706 Factory in the 798 Art District (RMB150, includes one drink), and Acupuncture is not only holding its “Genesis 2010″ party at Image Base (RMB150; after-party from 4 AM at Lantern, in B1 of 3.3), but also is reaching new levels with its ad copy:

Gorge on an aural banquet at the Future Stage with futuristic techno grooves from Acupuncture DJs and special guest Doudou Malicious from France, or thaw away those winter chills at the Retro Stage with the old-school gang reviving that classic disco era. Let the VJs, lightings installations and party fashionistas work their magic and conjure the crowd into near sensory overload on a ride through time and space and count down to 2010!

(This one lost me at the “party fashionistas” bit.)

For those seeking something new or who are budget-conscious, new club and lounge Le Zazou in Sanlitun Village is halfway through its two-week drinks promotion: free select Absolut vodka cocktails until midnight, including on New Year’s Eve (for those who want to splurge, three bottles of Perrier-Jouet Champagne are RMB2000). And a few floors below, bands Subs, New Pants, and Re-Tros will be playing in the “Orange”.

Be safe, have fun, dress warm, drink lots of water, and have a superb night…