Talking Pints: World Cup kick off, ChinaDoll to Reopen and Weekend Highlights
You don't have to be a football fanatic to know the FIFA World Cup kicks off today.
The city has been gearing up for weeks with every bar, and their TVs, set to tune into the month-long event. Whether you'll be decked out in your county's colours and placing serious bets online, or unfortunate enough to pick North Korea in the office sweepstakes and just using this as another excuse to drink, we've got a list of venues where you can watch the games. Leave a comment and let us know where you will be watching.
ChinaDoll is reopening...again. They'll launch a soft reopening party organised in association with Remy Cointreau scheduled for Jun 23 with a reopening party in July. 8-9pm VVIP party, 9pm onwards open to public. Owner Ai Wan says the new look China Doll will be a smaller lounge-style bar - but with the addition of "the biggest and highest terrace in the Sanlitun area" atop 3.3 shopping centre.
New on the scene just in time for the Cup is Hopfenstube, the latest addition to the city's selection of "German-style" microbreweries. Grab a drink, sit back and enjoy live music and open cooking stations.
Rejoice in the summertime temperatures and get yourself over to Purple Jade Country Club where there will not only be outdoor screenings of the World Cup, but they also tell us they'll be planning pool parties over the summer. We had a look last week and it could be a fine spot for splashing around outside.
Enoteca too has something for summer - Mimosas - "the ideal summer cocktail" according to boss Tomaz Hladnik. On July 3rd, come and enjoy the city's 1st Mimosas Party with great deals like buy-one-get-one-free Mimosas from 11am-9pm, Ladies drink free Mimosas from 9-11pm, free glass of Mimosas for every Brunch diner.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE -
FRIDAY 11
FIFA Friday
DJs play techno as three projectors broadcast Day 1 of the World Cup. RMB 50. 10pm. Lantern (135 0134 8785)
ROOMbeijing’s Intimate Sessions
Two DJs and two instrumentalists from Amsterdam’s Supperclub means four times the fun. Various packages available combining dinner, drinks and dancing. Price and time TBD. ROOMbeijing (8517 2033; see Dining Directory)
World Cup Opening Ceremony Party
Free draft beers all round when the first goal goes in. Free. 8pm. Salud, Nanluogu Xiang (6402 5086)
SATURDAY 12
Hypnotize: Summer Edition
Nightlabs and Bling hook up again. Table reservations recommended; call 138 1085 8776 to book. RMB 50 (Keza’s Hypnotize mix CD thrown in for the first 200). 9pm. Bling (5905 6999)
ROOMbeijing’s Intimate Sessions
See Jun 11.
SUNDAY 13
Outdoor Party
Pau Brasil bring SambAsia, capoeira, Brazilian movies and pop music together out on the lawn. RMB 50. 2pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)
