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The team behind Heaven Supermarket is slated to open its chuanr bar this Friday and its Irish bar one week later in the old Prima Taste / Swensen’s space (before that it was Mare). Word is the Irish bar will be called The James BJoyce.

(I expect the guys at Paddy O’s Empire to come back with a new place called The C.S. Lewis and include a donkey burger called The Bree on the menu. And for Karl Long to do readings from the Chronicles of Narnia during open mic night. On a related note, this is a hilarious oldie but goodie.)

These two spots offer more seating than might be imagined from the outside and the round-the-clock hours make this another option for late night / early morning eats for the bar crowd.

Welcome to part twenty-nine of the Must Tries Series, where I ask people working in the Beijing bar and restaurant business for the top picks from their menus. This time up: Xiao Shuai of Andingmen bar El Nido — known for its beer, absinthe and infused spirits.

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What is the “must try” beer at El Nido?

BrewDog, with its unmistakeable “we don’t care if you drink this beer, we’re still fucking niubi” attitude. It’s a very interesting beer with an in-your-face attitude that will suit any old punk. Also, it tastes damn good. Price: rmb45 to rmb55.

What is the “must try” absinthe?

King of Spirits Absinthe — at 70 percent alcohol it is powerful. Not only is it a very rare absinthe in China but it is also rumored to be the absinthe with the highest ear-cutting potential. We like it. Price: rmb120 per glass.

What are three “must tries” at other places in Beijing?

I consider myself a quite simple man who likes simple things done well. Great Leap Brewery ales are a must try for anyone who fancies an authentic pint of ale. Afterwards I like to go for a late-night hamburger at diner The Box. If I am tired of the hustle and bustle of weekend life in Beijing, I like to go for a well-made cup of Lavazza at Waiting for Godot.

 (to be read with the deep voice of a movie announcer)

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 From the producers of

Titanic II

and

Buffalo Wing Martini

comes a tale of East meets West,

of enemies turned allies,

of two spirits gone rogue.

One is a high-octane Kentucky firewater that will knock 40 points off your IQ,

the other an earthy North Korean hooch that will go taekwondo on your liver.

Together they will decide the fate of your world.

Critics have called it “a sea of fire”, “60 ml of booze that will shake the planet”,

“the best thing since Titanic II” and “a little dirty.”

One part Bourbon, one part Ginseng liquor,

one part Campari, one part Vermouth.

This is:

Licensed to Kim Jong-Ill

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Note: This drink was made by Paul Mathew at Mao Mao Chong last night. It came about after I asked him to replace half the Bourbon in the previous drink with North Korean liquor in the hope of getting a candied ginseng effect. That didn’t really happen but the drink tasted pretty good and much better than the next experiment, the Kim Gin-Il Tonic.