Throwback Thursday: In 2007 We Were Also Worrying About Our Favorite Bars Being Chai'd
Although we've moved on an entire 10 years, back in 2007 our concerns about our favorite bars being forced to close were uncannily similar.
A blog from our archive dating back to June 2007, ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics, ends on this happy note:
Finally, we can confirm that rumors that Cafe de la Poste and other Yonghegong area hangouts are about to be chai’d are false. Apparently a project to beautify Yonghegong Dajie for the Olympics is not as drastic as some residents originally thought, and while work on the street may make access a little less convenient for a while, it will still be business as usual for these guys.
Well, we're also happy to report that Cafe de la Poste is still standing strong in 2017. In fact, it is still up to its usual tricks, staying open late and plying Beijingers from all walks of life with coffee shots.
Since 2016 though, it has also attracted plenty of competition, most notably from Queenie's Sandwiches and Bar just across the road. Open until similarly ludicrous hours, QS, as its known by it's loyal followers, has also become a hub of late-night activity for its good sandwiches and wide-ranging boozy collection.
READ: See You Later, Dirty Bar Street
The last 10 years have seen the nearby Fangjia Hutong thrive, too, and regardless of recent bricking, we're so relieved to see some of our favorite bars holding on. Cellar Door, for example, has basically turned into Cellar Window, Ramo and Mimi e Coco are still going strong, and El Nido and Fang Bar are also still operating as usual for the time being. You'll have to find your way in around the side, but once you get there nothing has changed. Even Tiki Bungalow is making a comeback with what will now be their third incarnation, not far from their last location on Jiaodaokou Santiao.
Some bar owners further east did not see their bars survive, but have seen their joints move to safer locations. There's Aperitivo, for example, which has now found another home in Sanlitun Soho, and Anchor Bar, which has moved into Yonglee Plaza.
Sadly, not all of our other bars have been so fortunate as to thrive in the name of cleaning up and beautification, as well as eradicating so-called illegal structures and reducing Beijing's central population. In the last year or two we've lost the likes of Drum and Bell Bar, personally one of my all-time favorites, and popular spots like BBC, Más, and the Slow Boat Taproom.
READ: Future of Xingfucun Bars and Restaurants Unclear
As of right now, the Great Brickening is likely to continue through Dongcheng District, spreading further north as it has been. Andingmen's Yongkang Hutong, home to Guanshuyuan Compound inhabited by many of our readers, has seen some of its fruit, convenience, and everything stores close preemptively.
Thankfully at least one thing that has changed between now and 10 years ago is that we don't need to worry about the Spice Girls coming to grace us with their presence this year.
More stories by this author here.
Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram
Images courtesy of Cellar Door, courtesy of Slow Boat
