I figured Heaven Supermarket packed up shop and headed around the corner and beside James Joyce because a) the neighbors weren’t fans of the sometimes loud late-night shenanigans and/or b) the place had structural problems. But when I walked by yesterday, I saw that a new bar is going into that space — Friend. The name seems appropriate given the number of times perfect strangers have approached me in Sanlitun and said “Hey, friend” before turning on the generosity with “Want some stuff?” Anyway, given the screen I spotted through the window (see below), it looks like Friend might be a place to catch sports. And if it is by the guys from Heaven Supermarket, maybe they’ll be delivering chuanr and Mexican food from around the corner.
its sign has the same beer brands — Carlsberg and Guinness — as over at James Joyc
This is one place I will love to avoid on so many levels.