Talking Pints: Festival Fun, Fez and Felix da Housecat

Some toothy English chap is getting married to his rather attractive lady friend in a big church in London today. If that sounds like your idea of fun, you can watch the event live on satellite TV with English commentary in several bars around town - see our Royal Wedding post here for full details of where to get your Pimm's on. For everything else that's going on in Beijing this long holiday weekend, read on.

Big excitement in Nali Patio this weekend as Fez gets ready to open on the Agua rooftop on Sunday evening (May 1). Will they recreate the North African vibes of the original Fez at the Legation Quarter? Will the cocktails be as good? Will Agua chef Jordi Valles make a suckling pig martini? I'd drink it. Anyway, get down there on Sunday evening to have all these questions answered. I don't promise to live blog the occasion, but we will give you a review on the website early next week.

The NHL ice hockey playoffs continue over the weekend. With the Vancouver Canucks recovering their nerve just enough to overcome Chicago, the Great Grinders Stella Giveaway continues for at least another few games. If you're not up to speed, Grinders is giving away a free Stella for every goal the Canucks score in the playoffs. They've even made Canadian TV and radio - see the video here to give you an idea of the scene at Grinders when the Canucks are winning. When they're losing, it's not a pretty sight.

From April 30-May 1, Ole brings the spirit of the Seville festival Feria de Abril to Beijing - hopefully they can bring some of the weather too. There'll be loads of wine, traditional rebujito drinks, tapas and flamenco dancers. Entry is free, but at least buy a drink, won't you?

Festival fever hits Beijing this long weekend, with Midi, Strawberry, Pinggu Music Valley and Chaoayang Pop Music Festival all going on. Our Music Editor has already done a fine job of getting together all the information you need about Midi, Strawberry and Pingu - all of her posts here will put you in the picture. Meanwhile, our Style Editor's piece on festival fashion has kicked off a debate about whether style has any place at music festivals or whether the "festival spirit" is all about getting dressed blindfolded and just showing up, like, wearing whatever you want, man. As if Hendrix didn't think about style.

The one festival we haven't featured much on is Chaoyang Pop Music Festival (Apr 28-May 2). The lack of information suggests it's perhaps been hastily organized - never a good thing - but in any case the lineup isn't all that interesting and while there are some events going on at Chaoyang Park, most of the live music will be at the Fifth Ring Road-nudging Chaoyang Sports Center. Anyone who plays 11-a-side IFFC football in Beijing knows the joys of trying to negotiate the round-the-clock traffic jams on the road from Sanlitun to Chaoyang Sports Center, so visit at your peril. We say get right out of town to Midi, Strawberry or Pinggu. My tip? Midi.

After-parties for Strawberry take place at The House on May 1 and May 2. RMB 50 or free if you're a girl. Expect things to busy up around midnight, allowing the 90 minutes or so you might need to get back from Tongzhou if you're at Strawberry.

Up in Shunyi, Paddy's Pitstop is open at Pinnacle Plaza. Though the bar's not really "finished," this weekend they do have furniture.

The Stumble Inn is going to be serving Chimay Red on draft on the bar's terrace. They're one of the first bars outside Belgium to have this beer on tap.

Next to The Peninsula on Jinbao Jie, Earl Bar has been around for a few years, but they're in the midst of setting out as a venue for dance music. Earl Bar is being tipped as potentially the next big “underground” party venue. The area around Wangfujing isn't traditionally much of a nightlife hub - finding a taxi is often a nightmare - but the dance scene could use another venue for smaller parties, with Yue on the way out on Lucky Street. Look out for Oshi and Tnem and Ekki playing at The Drop party at Earl on May 7.

Beer Mania is expanding into what was the SPR Coffee next door. That means you'll get twice the space, top-of-the-range table football, a stage for live music, even more beers and, last but not least, a proper toilet. The bar will be closed for renovations starting soon, but should be open again towards the end of the month, with an opening party expected in early June.

Flamme has dropped a new drinks list for the season. Get in there today and you can check out Paul Mathew's "Royal Bride" cocktail - a gin-based concoction created to mark the British royal wedding.

Look out for house legend Felix da Housecat playing Tango on May 14. Tickets are RMB 80 in advance from The M Agency, Taobao and Clubzone and RMB 120 on the night. As long as he's not lost it since the last time I saw him play (must be about eight years ago now ...) this should be a must-see.

Taipei superclub Spark, located in Taipei 101, is set to open a Beijing location this summer. Hopefully they’ll avoid the mistakes of other big-name outsiders who assumed Beijing was theirs for the taking – anyone going to Klubb Rouge this month? We'll have more news as and when it's available.

The Beach will return with a double-header opening party on May 12-13, weather permitting. If the weather doesn't work out, the opening party will be rescheduled to the following weekend.

The Butcher's Steakhouse space at the top of Sanlitun Bar Street is now completely gutted, though those of you who tried (or even witnessed anyone try) to polish off the enormous 3kg burger will probably have memories that you'll never quite shake off. What will replace it? No word yet, but we'll let you know when we have more.

That's it. Leave work. Enjoy the festivals. Enjoy the royal wedding. Or enjoy being an anti-monarchist. Whatever you want. I'm quite happy because I'm sitting on an exercise ball. Have a good weekend.