Be There or Be Square: 4corners Celebrates its New Look

Dashibei favorite 4corners is set to unveil its new look after the space underwent a bit of a makeover. The will it-won't it period of uncertainty over its future of a couple of months back seems to have been put firmly behind it as the management prepare for a grand coming out party later this month.

We spoke to manager Jun Trinh about the reopening and how the new space has been shaped partly by a senile grandpa.

Why the change up at 4corners?
Well, it was all a bit of a mess really. For the same reasons we haven't been able to build a completely solid restaurant/bar/music venue from the begining. A cooperation-turned-buy-out-turned-back stab with two sets of landlords and an ex-owner is basically the gist of it. In the end we lost two thirds of the front room and the second floor above that area to the landlords in the front where apparently their grandfather is to move back in because in his senile state he refuses to live anywhere else. Whether this proves to be true (or if they intend to release to someone else for a business) will be seen in a few month's time.

What kind of alterations should your regulars expect?
We'll have a smaller entrance with a cocktail imbibing area. The new bar will be longer and built of solid hutong doors. Our courtyard will now be our mainstay as well as the backroom. In the future there is talk of a new second floor above the back room but we are quite happy with just the space we have left because we'll be able to offer faster and better service this way. A smaller stage in the back will also be the precursor to more events designed with food and drinks in mind. Be prepared for intimate events, themed evenings and more.

Any changes to what's going to be on offer?
There'll be lots of changes actually. Our food menu will become much more diverse and our goal is to offer things like wheat/gluten free baked goods, flat breads, pastas, sandwiches and more as well as a few of our best sellers from our older menu that happen to fall under this category. Whether you're paleo, vegetarian, or anything else that's extremely difficult to do in Beijing, we'll have some great options for you. But don't worry, eating healthy doesn't mean that it won't taste good, it actually tastes better and feels better, especially since it'll leave more room for our local craft brewers Jing A's four different types of beer and specialty cocktails designed by our trusty barkeep Tom Koerner. Be ready to see a whole range of drinks made with our own infusions as well as our own bitters.

Tell us a bit about the reopening party on June 13
The party on June 13 will be our actual Grand Reopening, an auspicious night compared to our recent luck. We will be showcasing our new food and drinks menu at special reopening prices. DJ Morgan will be spinning for the night and we should be giving out shots as well as membership cards that give our regulars discounts off drinks at any of our events, also free entry to any future shows. It should be a big one.

Get along to the 4corners Grand Reopening party on June 13.

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Photos: the Beijinger