What's New Bars & Clubs: Dusk Dawn Club near Meishuguan

It’s a global trend for live houses to forgo design in preference of a noisy party pit coated in the effervescence of stale beer and sweat. Although at times icky, there’s nothing that says rock ‘n’ roll in all of its incarnations more than the physical evidence of such raging activities. Things like sticky furniture and cigarette burns are the essence of that damaged ambiance.

DDC doesn’t stick to this trend but that doesn’t mean it lacks the ferocity necessary for a music venue or quality musical programming. There is an amazing amount of venues in Beijing, so you can imagine that the venue of the future needs to set itself apart in order make it in the competitive landscape. This is where DDC undeniably succeeds.

There is an industrial-looking hall to the side where the music goes down and featured art lines the walls. This is delightfully contrasted by the classical courtyard setting where the drinks are served. The beer is a little pricey, with the cheapest draft being RMB 35 for the NB Wheat.

What they did best here is create a venue on the edge of the Gulou scene near Meishuguan that you could hang out at with or without live music. The location is convenient and elegant with daytime hours and a Zen terrace for lounging around in the warmer months. Our only concern is if it’s contained enough to prevent noise complaints from the neighbors. This is the most important test for any emerging hutong music box.

Dusk Dawn Club
Daily 2pm-1am. 14 Laoshan Hutong, Dongcheng District. (186 1173 0692)
东城区山老胡同14号
600m east of Nanluoguxiang station (Line 6)

Photos: Kipp Whittaker