Talking Pints: There Goes the Neighborhood

Two important Sanlitun openings tonight. Mesa & Manifesto has its official opening party from 8pm in Sanlitun Village North. While a wee bit further south in Tongli Studio on Sanlitun Houjie, Paddy's Irish Bar opens.

RMB 100 will get you into the Mesa & Manifesto opening where you can take advantage of free drink and finger food. The Paddy's party gets underway from around 7.30pm and will feature live music performances – one from The Beijing Beatles – and a pint on the house while stocks last. You could be the belle of both balls tonight given their proximity.

Elsewhere tonight:

• You can get Ambivalent at Lantern
• Electrified at Haze
• Or frisky at Malty Dog

If you still have some puff in you come Saturday night:

• Dance Dangereux is back with its 18th edition featuring Dicky Trisco
• Psytrance supremo Aphid Moon lands at Yugong Yishan
• Pies and Ales are the order of the night at The Hutong

Speaking of ales, Great Leap was mentioned a couple of time in the US press this week. Both Wall Street Journal and The New York Times made mention of Beijing's brewing stalwarts.

You know it's warming up when we start to hear about rooftop bars making plans to open again soon. It can't come quick enough and Fez have been in touch to say they plan to reopen on Friday April 19, and will have some special offers to celebrate the return of summer.

There's plenty more going on this weekend. Check out our events section for more details.

Have a great weekend.