Booze News: Modernista Returns, Original Tiki Bar Bungalow Crew Reunites, Daily Deals at Blinding Elephant

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

Modernista reopens!

First things first, we're ecstatic to start off this week's edition of Booze News with some good, well, news. Baochao Hutong favorite haunt for all things old-timey, Art Deco, and dancing-into-the-wee-hours, Modernista, have announced that they will reopen on Halloween night. In a WeChat post, the team outlined some of the trials that they had been through since the beginning of the year:

This year, many unexpected things have happened. In January, we went on a break that ended up lasting for several months. While rumors were flying, some probably expected this to be the end. Many, however, kept reaching out, expressing their love for Modernista, and asking us when we'd be back. Thank you for all the love you've been showing us and worry no more!

We'll have more details on what exactly the reopening will entail next week. For now, if you'd like to brush up on your bartending chops and work for one of Beijing's longest-surviving bars, you can apply here.

Tiki Bar gets the band (er... crew) back together

For two nights only (Saturday & Sunday), the original crew of Tiki Bar Bungalow – Phil, Peter, and Selector Boo – will be taking over the admirable task of getting Beijingers tanked on tropical libations, bringing a bit of sand and surf to an otherwise frosty evening. In addition to the classics, they'll be mixing up a few special creations such as a BeiHai Gongyuan'er Swizzle, Honi Honi, Fay Wray, and Rum Gum and Lime. 

Daily deals at Blinding Elephant

After last week's beer bonanza, we're also happy to announce that there's a little more variation to this week's tipple options. Over at new-ish punk hideout Blinding Elephant they've started a range of daily drinks deals that reflect the changing temperature, including 10 percent off hot toddy on Wednesday; 20 percent off non-alcoholic honey pomelo tea, cinnamon soy milk, and hot cola on Thursday; and 10 percent off butterbeer on Friday. 

Tequila and agave tasting returns to Pebbles

Popular Wudaoying Mexican joint Pebbles appear to have found a winning formula with their ongoing agave tasting nights. Now in its third edition, the party continues this Thursday at 7pm with a tasting of 18 agaves and tequilas, their biggest lineup yet, alongside a range of region-specific dishes to each variety, all for RMB 398. Food includes a sombrero dip set, tortilla soup, black cod al pastor with grilled pineapple salsa, a carnitas platter, and a trio of desserts. See the full line-up here (reservations necessary).

New seasonal brews and mulled wine at Slow Boat

Slow Boat is also rolling out the seasonal goodies to put the chills at bay. This week, they'll have three new seasonal brews on tap at all three locations, including their Sleeping Monk Hidden Fist Triple Oat Cream IPA (10.6 percent ABV) collaboration with Wuhan’s No. 18 Brewery which debuted at last week's 8x8 Festival; a Las Musas Horchata Cream Ale, brewed for Slow Boat’s new Mexican concept (opening soon); and the brewery's latest iteration of their Imperial Waters Milkshake Stout series, Salted Caramel, brewed with raw Sichuan black sugar, lactose, and sea salt – "a smooth and boozy dessert in a glass."

Finally, their annual batch of mulled wine is now available at all locations. Made with winter spices, orange, and rosemary, it's a surefire way to shake the cold. Better yet, head over between 4-7pm and get RMB 10 off, as is the same on beers.

Hungry? There's lots to nosh in our weekly EAT column.

Images: Trip Advisor, Francisco Galarza (via Unsplash), courtesy of the venues