Talking Pints: Another Sanlitun Closure and it's Hot Drinks Time Again
Are you starting to feel the snap? We are, for sure. It won't be long now until we start reaching for the long johns again. It was only a week or two ago we needed the air conditioning on to get through the night, now we're aching for the powers that be to fire up the heaters. Luckily your friendly neighbourhood barkeeps are busily working out what they can and can't mull and buying in the city's Baileys collection for all those Irish coffees you'll get through at this time of year.
Brussels is one such place with your best interests at heart. They're rolling out their hot drinks menu this week which will include the likes of hot mulled cider, mulled wine, Martini hot chocolate and hot buttered rum. They're also doing two-for-one on pints of Tiger every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm for those who can't quite let go of the summer just yet.
One piece of sad news we got this week is that Sanlitun's Salud took a turn for the worse and will close up "soon". The NLGX version remains as healthy as ever, but the SLT alternative has succumbed to the same fate as others on that strip. A recent worrying trend.
Confirmations of Halloween bashes continue to flow into our mailbox. We'll have a definitive guide to the best ones in town early next week, but Blue Frog will hold one such soiree at their new Indigo space on October 27. They're kindly laying on a coach to take revelers over there from their Sanlitun and U Town outposts. Tickets are on sale at their venues now costing RMB 100.
Whiskey stronghold The Malt is to celebrate its first anniversary next Thursday (October 25). If you haven't had the chance to get along to the Jianguo Lu spot yet, you should. If only to get a glimpse their huge whiskey collection.
Plan B is introducing a quiz night over at Pingod. The space is under renovation at the moment as we mentioned here last week, but its first night of noodle scratching will be on November 7.
Stumble Inn is kicking off a great promotion; every time you buy a pint of Heineken, you get your card stamped. Get 13 stamps and you go in a draw for a trip for two to Phuket in Thailand including return flights and accommodation. The draw will be held after the Spring Festival, so you have time to collect your 13, but there's no harm in getting going straight away.
The city's newest rum peddlers over at Cu Ju will now be serving food everyday. With the grub proving a hit, they've introduced daily bites including sandwiches and imported cheese and olives. Sailor Jerry Rum and raisin ice cream sounds great; reason alone to stop by Xiguan Hutong. But if you need more how about two-for-one on draft beer, mixed drinks and soft drinks from 6-9pm?
Slow Boat Brewery are preparing to release the monkey again. Their popular Monkey's Fist Mango IPA is making a return October 19. There'll be a private release party at the Bookworm where the first keg will be drained before it becomes widely available.
Fubar are doing their bit to rekindle that loving feeling for the city's lovers. Romantic Tuesdays will be held throughout the month of November. They'll be breaking out the candles and flowers to create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic date night. They're also introducing "Wicked Whiskey Wednesdays" and "Fu's Big Mash-up Party" on weekends during November.
As for this weekend, three big events: The Detroit Series continues at Migas as they welcome Vernon English this week, there's also Deep Fried Sausage night at Dada where they welcome Razor and Santo Chino to the decks for the night, and still with Dada, they've landed a big fish in DJ Spooky this Sunday.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated our 11th birthday with us at Elements last night. There were a lot of you. Have a look for yourself here.
Have a great weekend.
