Beijing Boyce

There was a time when Stadium Dog specialized in serving wieners–and I’m talking about the food, not the patrons (drum roll). But every hot dog has its day and now the all-beef, Italian, and German ones at this Workers Stadium eatery will have to share time with a slate of new high-carb foods, including baked potatoes, nachos and cheese, and corn dogs. And maybe meat pies. Look for these items to be joining the menu this week and next…

Maggie’s is fully open. That might not sound like a big deal except that the Ritan Park edition of this twenty-year-old instituation first cracked its doors in the fall of… 2006. Since then, various parts have been under construction or blocked off and, at times–most notably those involving the Olympics–the place closed altogether.

Late last year, the back section finally opened with an L-shaped bar and two small rooms, each of them with a pool table. And now the entire main section, with its four-sided bar–the centerpiece of this place–has been reopened. As far as I know, this is the first time the full space has been utilized.

Anyway, even if you remove the element that makes this the most famous / infamous bar in Beijing, namely, the number of ‘short-term joint ventures‘ that occur here, this place still gets high marks for excellent service, a superb design (check out the painted rafters), excellent lighting, and spotless toilets.

Plus, watching arrogant male pool players get their asses handed to them by the female clientele provides for endless unintentional comedy.

Patrons will be unhappy to know that bottled Tsingtao is now RMB40, an increase of RMB10,the first boost since it jumped from RMB20 to RMB30 three years ago. (On the other hand, this place could probably charge RMB50 or RMB60 or more, and get away with it). The hot dogs served from the cart outside remain at RMB30.

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See also:

• The Golden Horde in Beijing: A History of Maggie’s Bar
• The best little hot dog stand in Beijing…
• The search continues: Maggie’s – gone but not forgotten
• Maggies re-opens… then closes
• Maggie’s: See and (Don’t) Be Seen

It is amazing how fast 1F has come together in former French restaurant Juliette’s space in Tongli Studio, given the delays that tend to accompany openings in Beijing. This place has gone from empty shell two weeks ago to nearly finished venue that the staff says will have its “soft opening” tomorrow at ~8 PM.  This ground-level bar is sibling of and connected to cocktail joint 2F upstairs. Considering the kind of beer I saw being carried in today–Rogue, Duvel, Budvar, and the like–it looks like I might be spending some time here this summer.

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See also:

• Upstairs, downstairs: 2F bar team to take over Juliette’s space
• Drinks to try in Beijing: Baiju Cocktail at 2F, Bourbon Kiwi at Tryst
• You Are What You Drink: The Zombie by Ah Jian at 2F