George's Launch Party, Michael Jackson Memorial, Yen Turns Six and More Bars Close

We've hardly stopped writing about it this past seven days, but George's, the latest project from former Q Bar manager George Zhou, has its official launch party tonight at 8.30pm. Zhou will be mixing drinks for tasting, so if you're into your drinks and liqueurs, go down and see what the master has got in store. If you've no idea who George Zhou is, check out our interview with him here.

Tomorrow (June 26) sees Yen celebrate its sixth anniversary at 706 Factory in 798. Happy birthday to the crew, from the management, organizers and promoters to DJs like Mickey Zhang, Ouyang, Dio, Blackie and many more who have played Yen over the years, to the guys from Lush who have poured the drinks at many a Yen bash, and of course to the people who've gone to the parties and helped make Yen a Beijing institution. Click here for our interview with Yen stalwart and oft-acclaimed "best DJ in Beijing" Mickey Zhang.

Today (June 25) marks 365 days of life on Earth without Michael Jackson. It seems many of us can't believe it's been a year already since that strange day last June, but Vics is at hand to both remind us and help us remember the King of Pop. Tomorrow night (Saturday 26) get out that sequined glove and moonwalk over to for the first annual Michael Jackson Memorial Party. Expect a night full of his greatest hits. It's sure to be a thriller, etc ...

If watching people dress as the kooky King of Pop is not your thing, then perhaps watching girls dress in lingerie is? If so, you're in luck. Newly reopened ChinaDoll is holding a Piper-Heidsieck-sponsored extravaganza tomorrow night featuring a luxury lingerie fashion show party starting at 9pm. Click here to take a look at our interview with ChinaDoll boss Ai Wan.

A visit to The Beach turned out to be a good way of killing the time between World Cup games on Wednesday night. The rooftop bar seems to be getting by rather nicely this summer, which isn't really a surprise - it's fast becoming one of our favorite terraces. Tonight they've got Tia & the Knutz playing live - see below for details.

ROOMbeijing is now open in the CBD. Wait, is it? Yes, this time it definitely is. Local celeb chef Brian McKenna has created an eye-catching design with striking wall murals, graffiti and contemporary art pieces.
More info here.

Some of you may have already noticed, but for anyone whose weekend plans involved a drink at Ginkgo then a dance at Salsa Caribe, better switch to plan B. Both venues have closed until further notice. It's not all bad news as Salsa Caribe is undergoing renovations and should make a comeback in the not-too-distant future. Ginkgo's tale is less likely to have a rosy outcome - the management tell us that they're in talks to decide where to take things from here. We think we may have seen the last of this bar, which is charming enough to have attracted a following, but struggled to make its restaurant side work consistently. And that spiral staircase, a holdover from the bar's previous incarnation as Room 101, just always got in the way. Watch this space for more.

Anyway, a busy week of news, and an equally busy weekend of events. Believe it or not, not all of them involve staying awake until 5am watching European football heavyweights fail to live up to their inflated reputations and crashing out to plucky underdogs. Many of them do involve staying up till 5am though. Here are the highlights:

FRIDAY

Go Bling Go
Watch ten go-go dancers shake their stuff on the screen. Then choose the four you want to see in the flesh at Bling - they’ll be on the next flight. Table reservations recommended; call 138 1085 8776 to book. RMB 80. 9pm. Bling (5905 6999)

George's Launch Party See above for details.

Identity World Cup Party Hip-hop vs. electro battles, top-secret performances, chances to win tickets to Usher's gig in July ... and the World Cup. The Identity boys tell us that "if you miss this, you will never forgive yourself." Don't take any chances. Palace Club (8592 6666)

Tia & the Knutz Live band bring their buckets and spades for a gig on the roof. Free. 10pm. The Beach (6508 8585)

X.L.F. and Huang Weiwei
Techno techno. RMB 50. 10pm. Lantern (135 0134 8785)

SATURDAY

Go Bling Go
See Jun 25.

Phuture Soul
Also known as future sole. RMB 50. 9pm. Lantern (135 0134 8785)

Yen 6th Anniversary
The all-conquering electronic promoters celebrate six years of keeping Beijing up to all hours. RMB 150, RMB 80 (advance). 9pm. 706 Factory, 798 art district