Talking Pints: Big Name Beat Makers, Birthday Bashes and Boozy Bike Races

It's set to be a big weekend on the city's nightlife scene, with some big-name DJs in town in addition to a couple of high-profile birthday bashes.

Centro in the Kerry Center turns nine and celebrates the fact with a James Bond-themed party night, where there will be prizes for best dressed as well as plenty of bubbles.

Another big birthday bash this weekend marks Spark turning one - not as easy as it sounds on the Beijing nightlife scene. They'll be celebrating their birthday with a whole weekend of frivolity which culminates in a performance by Dutch house architect Chuckie on Sunday night. LA's very own DJ Politik will deputise on Friday night before Taiwan’s DJ Junior takes over the reins on Saturday.

Chuckie isn't the only big name about town this weekend. Legendary Dutch electro DJ Steve Rachmad is in town celebrating the re-release of his masterful "Secret Life of Machines" album with a show at Lantern tonight (Nov 16). Elsewhere, on Saturday night (Nov 17) German electronica veteran DJ Hell hits Beijing for a show at Haze. And if three top DJs don't have you spoiled for choice this weekend, how about "the godfather of dubstep" Kode 9 performing at Dada tonight (Nov 16)? Or Christian Prommer over at LAN Club on Saturday (Nov 17)?

Beer Mania's monthly pool tournament goes ahead this Saturday (Nov 17). It's limited to 16 players and registration costs RMB 40 but there's a host of fine prizes to be won including a Jeroboam (3 liters) of Saint Feuillien Triple this month. Well worth a pop.

Brussels were in touch recently letting us know about their upcoming Winter Beer Festival which gets underway on Dec 8. It will be an afternoon affair running between 1 and 8pm, and a ticket includes a happy hour discount on all participating beers throughout the event. There'll also be prize draws. Ticket price is still TBD, but could go as high as RMB 300 - but there are some premium beers involved so the cost of the ticket certainly provides value for money.
Currently Duvel and Slow Boat are amongst the participants providing 10 draft beers in total.

Details of New Year's Eve parties are starting to trickle in. We'll have a special blog detailing each of them closer to the big day but for now:

• Paddy O'Shea's will have a special New Year's Eve party with drink promos, free raffles and great prizes plus a "special" countdown.
• Modernista is planning to stage a New Year's Eve Mascarade Kissing Party. Sounds, erm, different.

Elsewhere, Serk is planning to host another JISU PK - indoor bike competition on Dec 15. JISU PK consists of two competitors racing on two stationary bikes for a furious 30 seconds with the race progress projected on a big screen. The catch? The more your team drinks the greater the head start you get in the race and the team member that has the most drinks is the designated rider. They have a video of previous JISU PK events here.

By the way, it looks like our Annual Charity Super Quiz will be taking place at Kro's Nest on Xiaoyun Lu in the evening Sunday Dec 2. We'll confirm for sure very soon. But it's safe to start swatting now.

Okay, that's enough for now. But don't forget to check out our events if nothing above tickles your fancy. Have a great weekend.

Photo: Two glasses of beer image from Bigstock