Booze News: Roof Terrace at Floso, Vicu Opens in In & Out, July 4 Beer Pong Tournie

Thirsty? Wet your whistle with Booze News, our wrap-up of the week's best bar deals, parties, drink concoctions, industry gossip, and more.

Floso opens their terrace

Gulou Dongdajie music shop and boutique Floso has just opened their terrace to the public and should prove a nice little hangout if you're in the area. Browse their records and collection of knick-knacks and clothes before grabbing a Jing-A beer (RMB 35) or mixed drink (RMB 35) and heading upstairs. See more (very artsy and not wholly illuminating) pictures of the space here. For the time being, only a limited number of people are allowed on the terrace, and reservations are required via the store's WeChat account.

New bar Vicu saddles up with In & Out

If you've been to the Sanlitun Beixiaojie In & Out recently you may have spotted Frankie Zou of Frankie's Distillery – and formerly Botany – hanging outside, giving passersby a taste of his wares and toting a new cocktail menu. He's since carved out a little space for himself inside called Vicu and similarly rebranded his infused range of gins. Sip on cocktails like the Thai Boxer (Vicu citronnade gin, lemongrass, mango juice, and Thai coconut milk for RMB 60) or the white truffle martini (London dry gin, white truffle essence, kiwi jam, bitter orange for RMB 70) while tucking into In & Out's Yunnan grub or simply sitting outside on the patio. There's also a range of refreshing highballs and Aperol spritz which all cost RMB 35, down from RMB 50, during daily happy hour (anytime before 9pm). Read more about the concept and find a link to Vicu's Weidian should you want to buy a bottle of the good stuff here.

The Beijing International Beer Pong Tournament

While the tradition of every American-leaning restaurant and its dog holding a July 4 party may not be possible this year given the pandemic, there are still a couple of options this weekend for you to flex your patriotic muscle. The first is a good ol' fashioned beer pong tournament at The Great Outdoors this Saturday, 5-8pm. For RMB 60, you'll get entry and your first round of beers before playing one-on-one matches until an ultimate winner is crowned. For your efforts, the runner-up will get a burger and a beer while the master of the cups will get a burger and a trophy (filled with beer, of course). Read the full house rules and how to register here (spots limited).

July 4 free-flow party at Side Street

Alternatively – or in fact, as pregame – head to Side Street on Saturday between 1.30 and 4.30pm for a three-hour free-flow bonanza. For RMB 328, you'll have access to free-flow mixed drinks, wine, and Asahi and Slow Boat on draft as well as shots every hour and a burger to help you stay upright. Better pace yourself, because this is bound to get messy.

Looking for something to munch on? Click here to see how to eat for half-price every day of the week

Images: csbeverage.com, Michael Fousert (via Unsplash), Sheri Hooley (via Unsplash), courtesy of the venues