Raise Your Glass and Make the Most of The Monkey Year with These Great Events

Chinese New Year has landed, as can be indicated by the influx of images and drone footage of insanely long queues and frustrated people having to deal with the difficulties (sometimes fecal matter) that come with traveling during this inconvenient/wonderful time of year. But if you’ve decided to bunker down this CNY with a large stack of DVDs and a stockpile of Chablis, you run the risk of a serious bout of cabin fever. Here are some pleasant options for you to get out and party the night away throughout the week.
 

Feb 5: DOME One-Year Anniversary
Celebrate their first year of existence with this group of DJs showcasing a blistering selection of bass, electro, and techno. It will be deep and unrelenting till the crack of dawn. Don’t expect a lecture about Buckminster Fuller, because what you’ll get here is a dystopian mind warp with an obligatory amount of dirty dancing. Free. 10pm. Dada
 

Feb 6: Black Eyeliner Four-Year Anniversary 

Embrace the darkness as another year comes full circle. DJs Soundspade, Pei, and Compact Dicks will be showcasing every kind of wave music known to man at this Beijing party favorite. It's been four years and a move to Shanghai since DJ Soundspade founded Black Eyeliner, but he shows no signs slowing down with his deviant brand of dark musical exhibitionism. Free. 10pm. Dada
 

Feb 1-15: Chinese New Year Offer – Half Price on New Tapas Menu
Get over to Modernista to experience their newly launched tapas menu with an amazing half-price offer to welcome in the New Year. From 6 to 8pm every day over the holiday, the first 20 reservations will be able to benefit from this awesome deal. The new menu contains cheese platters, sweets, and dipping sauces and recovers old Modernista classics like their Greek salad, Spanish tortilla, fried chicken fillets with fries, and sauteed chickpeas with shrimp. Free. 6-8pm. Modernista
 

Feb 7: 4corners’ Chinese New Year’s Bash
It wouldn’t be CNY without the legendary party time contributions of 4corners. The next-to-Gulou team have continuously supplied good times on this holiday that empties Beijing of most of our friends. These party animals will be offering drink specials all night, sweet dance jams from DJs and Bye Bye Kitty, and, of course, the midnight fireworks at Houhai. Free. 10pm. 4corners
 

Feb 7: Usher in the Year of the Monkey with the Beijing Beatles 

Beijing’s very own fab-four knows a thing or two about bringing the hits to a party. While many people these days are probably indifferent (mainly me haha) to the role The Beatles have played in paving the way for modern rock music, it’s hard to deny that these fellows are one of the best choices to party with this CNY eve. With a repertoire of all your favorite Beatles songs, these boys are ready to twist and shout all night. Free. 9pm. Temple Bar
 

Feb 7: Chinese New Year's Eve Private Party
Great Leap Brewing and The Orchid are back for one of their favorite parties of the year. Ring in the Chinese New Year on The Orchid's hutong rooftop while imbibing pints of Great Leap's brews. The evening includes free-flow beer, mulled wine, and snacks up the wazoo provided by The Orchid and one of the best fireworks viewing spots in the city. Tickets are pre-sale only, and can be purchased with cash at any Great Leap location or via WeChat Pay at The Orchid's WeChat store (ID: TheOrchidHotel). RMB 300. 9pm-1am. The Orchid
 

Feb 7: Chinese New Year's Eve Party at Soi Baochao
Soi Baochao follow eight years of tradition by keeping the bar open during Chinese New Year for all of you who were too lazy to plan your escape a year in advance. If you have nowhere else to go or want to throw back a couple drinks with old friends, check out Soi Baochao as they supply free home-made dumplings, special prices on drinks, and a fun selection of dance music. Free. 9pm. Soi Baochao
 

Feb 7: Chinese New Year Eve (ChuXi) at Lantern 
You can always count on Lantern to help you ring in the New Year with a sexy 808 boom. Expect a raucous melange of techno and dirty dancing until morning, and scare away the monsters and bad luck of the new lunar year with the monkey vibes of DJs Jackson Lee, Xiao 8, Watermelon, Pancake Lee, and more. Free. 10pm. Lantern
 

Feb 8: CNY with PuzzyStack and Friends
Get that monkey business out of your system early with PuzzyStack and his crew future ruffians. Not just another cleverly named DJ, he will be posturing out some delicious techno jams that will get you swinging from the rafters with minimal effort. Free. 10pm. Dada
 

Feb 8: Ron Mexico Takeover at The Local 

Ron Mexico, one of Beijing’s newest bars will take over The Local on Monday, following the Super Bowl, giving the staff some much-needed recess after the long game. Be prepared for Ron Mexico’s delicious repertoire of cocktails and bar snacks that are sure to satisfy anyone on the prowl for a couple drinks after the big game. Free. Midday-7pm. The Local
 

Feb 9: Mardi Gras: Laisser Les Bons Temps Rouler
This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 9, smack in the middle of the CNY, but Caravan isn’t letting that stop them from blowing the roof off the sucka with some good ole “joie de vivre.” They will be supplying their Cajun specialties, including jambalayas, gumbos, sazeracs, hurricanes, and Bourbon Street peach teas. Don’t forget live music courtesy of Psycho Iko and DJ sets from DJ Bootyclap and Cousin Kippy to keep you dancing like a voodoo priest under Papa Legba’s spell until the wee hours of the night. RMB 60 (includes a drink and a Mardi Gras mask). 6pm. Caravan
 

Feb 10: It's on like Donkey Kong!
It's the year of the monkey, so it's on like Donkey Kong as the folks from 8-Bit say. Since they will be closed on their usual all-night happy hour night, they will host it on the Wednesday following. This includes Kirin 600ml bottles for RMB 20, classic cocktails for RMB 30, and their delicious mulled wine for RMB 30. Let us not forget their high score competition with the original Donkey Kong game, played on the Super Gameboy. Free. 6pm. 8-Bit
 

Feb 12: All you can eat Fajitas at 8-BIT by Wilson from Rager Pie
8-Bit is inviting the one and only Wilson from Rager Pies to take over the 8-Bit kitchen. His weapon of choice for the evening will be all-you-can-eat fajitas. Everything from refried beans, salsa, tortillas and guacamole will be freshly prepared by Wilson himself. For the price of RMB 140, you can get down with a never-ending supply of this delicious Tex-Mex delicacy. Wilson is also a bit of a pro at Super Smash Bros N64 and will be set to challenge everyone, including your nainai (if she tags along), throughout the evening. Free. 6pm. 8-Bit

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Email: danielkippwhittaker@thebeijinger.com

Photos from the organizers