Two-for-one martinis: Q Bar drops prices, raises questions
I received the following tidbit in an email from Q Bar a few days ago:
Martini Wednesdays @ Q Bar
The legendary Q Bar Martini selection, the biggest and best in Beijing, now has its own night. Whether you like a classic vodka Martini, a Dirty Gin Martini or something a little more exotic, you’ll find your perfect martini at Q Bar. We have picked a selection of your ten most favorite Martinis, get two for the price of one, all Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
I remember visiting Q Bar several times before it opened and seeing the place take shape; watching a crane haul trees and flowerbeds to the rooftop one day to decorate the deck; many nights, including several New Years’ Eves, when I met friends or took visitors to Beijing there; even when the place jacked up drink prices–and left them there–just before the Olympics. What I don’t remember Q Bar ever doing is slashing prices on its claim to fame — cocktails.
This is good news for consumers since, in my humble opinion, the martinis and margaritas are especially good at Q Bar. But it makes me wonder if the move signifies something more at what is arguably the city’s most successful bar of the past three years.
New bars in Sanlitun are exerting pressure since they arguably offer more in terms of creativity (Apothecary), design (D Lounge), and value (Fubar). Of course, Q Bar could take measures in response, such as jumping on the DIY trend train and making infused vodkas, bitters, et al; upgrading the design and layout inside, as was done with the deck last year; and picking a few signature drinks, say the martinis, and pricing them at RMB50 instead of RMB60. But two-for-one martinis? Hey, I’ll gladly take them; I’m just saying it seems out of character.
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If drinking cheap martinis every Wednesday is what its going to take to keep Beijing’s finest cocktail bar and patio up and running until the summer high season, I’m up for the challenge!
Good for them. I was in there last Tuesday around 10:30 and we were the only people in there besides management drinking. But then again is was -100 degrees outside, so that might have had something to do with it.
I think quite a good new few places has started to open in Beijing, so Q Bar must feel that they are not anymore the only place to go where you can have a nice cocktail for a fair price. More challenges !
Beijing is like a flower that blossom, and it is nice to see it evolving for the bar & drink scene.
I’m really excited to see what it’s going to look like in just 2 or 3 years up ahead.
See you Jim.
Went last night. While the drinks where good [especially] for the price, their execution of 2-for-1 was very haphazard, frustrating and self-defeating. Yes, when ordering we were told 2-for-1!!! but when we went to get our free drink, we were not-very-nicely told that this was supposed to be ordered along with the first one and why didn’t we know this. Argument ensues, me being less likely to both going to Q Bar again follows…
Aside from being stupid and defeating the purpose of having a well made drink, it wouldn’t be too difficult for them to put in place a ticket system or give you your receipt from your order to redeem a la every other place that does 2-for-1 deals.