A Drink With: Maika Endo, Owner, Kocoon Spa Lounge & Elixirs

In her ten years in Beijing, Maika Endo has done her fair share of partying. She’s also managed to deal with the downside of drinking by opening Kocoon Spa Lounge & Elixirs.

Who would you most like to get drunk with?
Sarkozy! Nah, just kidding. I wanna drink with Mother Teresa.

If you could only imbibe one drink for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chilled pure sake. Sake contains no sulfites and thus, virtually no hangover!

How old were you when you started drinking?
Sixteen.

Tell us about the first time you were drunk.
At that time, I was dating someone older and thus I would drink red wine at dinner, to be like others in his group. Except that I never drink wine usually and I didn’t like the taste! After one glass, I went directly from a happy state to sleeping state ... nobody could wake me up!

Tell us about the last time you were drunk.
It was last winter. After sharing a bottle of wine at dinner and two martinis at d Lounge, I was dramatically drunk. I had a hugging, loving and crying session with my girlfriend. I was ready to go to Haze, except I never made it. My two friends decided to take me home. We walked round and round my compound for half an hour because the buildings suddenly all looked the same! After finally finding my door, I fell asleep on the ground cuddled up in front of it, while one friend went to chase the taxi driver to find my keys, and my other friend emptied my bag on the floor to look for them. Luckily, my boyfriend was home. He called me, opened the door and surpriiiiise! I stayed in the same position for two days.

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done while drunk?
Breakdance on the dance floor of Vics after a hip-hop group had performed.

Where’s the dumbest place you’ve gone drinking?
All the bars that used to populate Sanlitun Nanjie.

What’s your golden rule of drinking?
Don’t drink angry, don’t argue drunk.

What’s your favorite drink?
Depends on the mood and season. Right now, mojitos! Passionfruit mojito, strawberry mojito ...

What’s your idea of a good night out?
A good night out would involve spontaneity, openness, zero expectations. Can be as simple as a nice scooter night-ride with your best buddies, with stops at 7-Eleven.

Go to cure your hangover at Kocoon in The Opposite House.

This article originally appeared on page 62 of the December issue of the Beijinger.

Click here to see the December issue of the Beijinger in full.

Photo courtesy of Maika Endo