Suzie Wong's Turns 8

Eight years is a long time in Beijing nightlife. To keep a club running for that length of time is practically a miracle – how many other eighth anniversary parties have you heard of going on recently? Suzie Wong’s celebrates its eighth birthday tomorrow with a massive party featuring what they tell us will be a spectacular display of projection art and other fun. We asked Suzie’s stalwart Anson Chiang about how Suzie’s has stood the test of time and grown old gracefully.

Suzie Wong’s has been described as “part 1930s Shanghai opium den and part postmodern lounge.” Is that the look the club is going for?
We’re a melting pot of classical cultures from both East and West. Not only is the deco a combination, but our name and the guests are both a good combination of the East and the West. The name itself sifts through the mind. This magic mixture is what we are looking for, a complete harmony of deco, nomenclature and the guest.
Suzie’s was the first – and indeed the best – of classically designed clubs in China’s capital city with an extended global reputation, beating all contemporaries in style and taste. Born in the heart of China, made from the entertaining talents of Chinese people, and founded on Chinese hospitality and tradition, this is Club
Suzie Wong. Suzie Wong’s is a true brand of excellence and a pioneer of nightlife in China.

If Club Suzie Wong was a Chinese dish, which one would it be?
Perhaps I would say Sweet and Sour Pork. This dish is delicious, a favorable dish for both the East and the West. And famous internationally too!

What have been the biggest changes that the club has gone through? How has the customer base changed?
The club became a second home to our guests, and the guests became our family. Lots of them came for more than six or seven years; some met their spouses here and are now parents.
Many said Suzie Wong’s is a nightlife institution for the classy and trendy crowd – many well-known club owners and their team will visit our club and “watch” for quite some time before they plan and open their club in Beijing or other parts in China.
From a little penthouse bar in 2002, Suzie’s has become the highest-rated “Champagne Index” club in China and a true brand with an extended global reputation. Suzie has been the recipient of many awards and recognition, and has won “Best Club” awards year after year.

How do you think Beijing nightlife has changed in the past eight years?
There are many clubs nowadays in Beijing. But that’s more on the quantity side, not quality. China was just opened up not too long ago, so nightlife in Beijing is a few years behind compared to other Asian countries or the Western world. Nightlife needs to be more international: We need to move from being “local” and accept partying with people from any country in the world. Let’s not lock ourselves up in “a heaven of purely Chinese.”

In your opinion, which have been the best parties at Suzie Wong?
The best one was the “Sensation 905” outdoor party with 3,000 beautiful guests, a Porsche car show and red carpet. Unforgettable. The annual Ye’Shanghai party every September is also splendid and impressive. The theme suits Suzie Wong’s perfectly.
What has made Suzie Wong’s so successful and enduring?
Suzie Wong’s is a true brand. No others have the market strength of this name. Suzie is made entirely in China. It is the “nightlife name” of all names. It radiates China’s warmth, friendship and trendsetting capacity on a global scale. As China has become international, so has Suzie.

Why are the women of Suzie Wong’s so damn attractive?
When all women enter The World of Suzie Wong Club, they become “Suzie Wong.” They are not just beautiful but talented; charming; charismatic and trendy. True beauties appreciate a sense of international clubbing and a mature nightlife. This is why the women are so attractive in Suzie.

Can you tell us a little bit about your anniversary party this weekend? Is there anything special being planned?
We have arranged a “match” between Germany and Argentina. We will get all of you to party with us in the ‘Jing and leave them to fight each other in South Africa. Flowers, champagne, beauties, smiles and sincerity – we welcome you to the “best party of the year.”

Suzie Wong’s 8th anniversary party is on July 3. RMB 200. 10.30pm.