Talking Pints: ROOMbeijing, Alfa and Parkside Bar & Grill
Beijingers got their first chance to take a peek at chef Brian McKenna's long-in-the-works ROOMbeijing restaurant/bar last night, as French house maestro Bob Sinclar (see our interview here) came to town for an eagerly anticipated set. At least, those who were able to get hold of an RMB 300 ticket got a look inside - the rest had to either fork out RMB 1,500+ for a package combining drinks and entry, or sit tight until the venue is officially open for regular business - that's expected to be sometime in the next week. Sinclar played a two-hour-plus set featuring his own unstoppably upbeat hits as well as a load of remixes of early '90s dance-pop tunes. I was expecting something less commercial, but the crowd lapped up Sinclar's feelgood set. Da Shan was spotted dancing spasmodically.
ROOM appears to be more of a restaurant or bar, rather than restaurant and bar - when dinner is over, the tables and chairs are cleared away to leave a large dancefloor, with the DJ booth in the far corner. There are a few stylish private rooms, and dummy bookshelves stacked with hot pink books mask the doorways to the bathrooms. I don't know about dinner, but as a club space there's potential here, although a more muscular sound system and livelier lighting would help the atmosphere. If the one-off Bob Sinclar-themed drinks list is any indication of what the regular menu will be like, expect to pay RMB 40 and upwards for a beer and RMB 80 and upwards for mojitos (with a hefty pour of rum), martinis, wine and the like.
Glenn Phelan - former helmsman of just about every bar in Beijing, from Brown's to Frank's Place to Danger Doyle's - opens Parkside Bar & Grill tonight (Friday) at the north gate of Side Park in Lido. I haven't had a look yet, but hear Parkside is a sizeable spot combining family-friendly dining with a bar area featuring big screens for watching sport - handy with the World Cup a mere 14 days away. The bar will be managed by Phelan cohort and silken-voiced singer-guitarist Robbie Hennebry - the pair have previously worked together at Doyle's and most recently at Souk. Free-flow drinks from 7.30 until about 10pm.
Alfa isn't a new bar, but it's set to enjoy a renaissance with a new look. Link to our photos here for an idea of what's gone down - the always-pleasant front lounge is more elegant than before, while the dance floor no longer looks like a run-down provincial disco. They've added a fish tank - they claim it's the biggest in Beijing, though I'd bet Liangma Flower Market has something to rival Alfa's - and a raised platform in the middle of the dance floor reveals a pool through the glass below. The ever safety-conscious Beijing Boyce thinks that might be a little dangerous - read his comments here. The drinks list has been similarly ripped up and rewritten. If you were ever a fan of Alfa's Friday '80s Night - and let's face of it, many of us have been at some point - get down tonight (Friday) and see how you like Alfa 2.0.
Also on this weekend:
Friday, May 28
Jacek Sienkiewicz
Polish techno producer who knows Beijing well. RMB 50. 10pm. Lantern (135 0134 8785)
Retro@Centro
Pour out your ’80s memories to the bar staff and they'll pour you a free Kamikaze. Guest DJ brings the requisite tunes. Free. 8pm. Centro (6561 8833)
Swedish Fish
Donald Summer, Patrick Yu and Yang Bing keep the monthly house party going. Free. 9pm. White Rabbit (no tel)
White Party
The moon will be full, so get your whites on to dazzle at Suzie’s. RMB 100. 9pm. Suzie Wong (6500 3377)
Saturday, May 29
3D Bling
3D glasses at the ready for music and visuals you can just about touch. Table reservations recommended; call 138 1085 8776 to book. RMB 100. 9pm. Bling (5905 6999)
Chopstick and Till von Sein
Back-to-back electronica workouts. RMB 70 (one free drink), free (before 11pm). 10pm. White Rabbit (no tel)
Section 6 Sixth Anniversary Party
Once more unto the breach with Beijing’s hip-hop teams. RMB 50, RMB 30 (advance). 10pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)
SOS presents Dosem
INTERVIEW HERE In the basement with Spanish DJ. RMB 50. 10pm. Lantern (135 0134 8785)
Zeta Bar Pole Dance Competition Finale Party
INTERVIEW HERE Pussycat Dance and Zeta join forces as ten contestants selected from trials on May 22 battle it out to be crowned Beijing’s pole dance queen. RMB 99 (one free drink). 10pm. Zeta Bar (5865 5050)
