5 Things to Taste, Smell, Touch, Hear, and See, Jan 25-27
Beijing can be an overstimulating place to live, to say the least. Let’s be real: sometimes even our sixth sense (the one that tells you when that stick of chuan'r will make you sick for the next two days) gets a decent workout. With such a wide variety of events, restaurants, and gigs to attend, we suggest bathing each of your five senses in one, if not all, of the nourishing goings-on below.
Taste
Jan 27: Mercante 7th Year Anniversary
Like it or not (though why wouldn't you?), Mercante have few peers. With the eateries moving into the malls faster than we can say "mama mia!", Mercante doggedly sticks to their cute and tiny hutong spot, continuing to serve fabulous Italian cuisine like they've always done. This Sunday, they celebrate their seventh anniversary and invite Beijingers to join them for free-flow prosecco (midday-6pm RMB 100, which sounds too good to be true) as well as a set menu dinner from 6pm onwards (RMB 200). Midday-late. Mercante
Smell
Jan 26: Soju Barrel Aged Beer Tasting at Slow Boat
The aroma of kimchi has as many haters as it does fans. While it's a no-no food in the office, Korean cuisine delicacies are a true treat when enjoyed in a well-ventilated environment. This Saturday, Slow Boat is whipping up a tasting for all things Korea-inspired including a pint of the world's first soju barrel aged beer (brought to you all the way from Busan), kimchi fried chicken wings, and local Monkey Fist IPA for RMB 75. RMB 75. Slow Boat
Touch
Jan 26: Aurora Retro Stoplight Party
Finding a date, despite all the apps there to help us, is increasingly difficult. While the days of giving charming strangers your phone number may be long gone, Aurora tempts us back to when picking up a date was as simple as wearing a certain color. For those of you too young to recall this glorious era, the dress code at a traffic light party is as follows: wear red for "taken," yellow for "maybe," and green for "single and ready to get consensually freaky." Just remember: in China, the yellow traffic light in China actually means "hit the accelerator." Free. 10pm. Aurora
Hear
Jan 25: Samples\Beats\Rhymes at Fruityspace
Fruityspace has been around for a while but there is a fair chance you have not yet had a chance to check it out. This Friday promises a good old-school head-nodding session with some of Beijing's heavyweight beatmakers and could just be the prime time to finally check out its quaint basement vibes. 8pm. RMB 100. Fruityspace
See
Jan 26: Australia Day at Little Creatures
The agenda of Australia Day goes a little something like this: see the pavlova, eat the pavlova (even though it's often too pretty to be consumed), follow pavlova with a few snaggas (sausages) and coldies (beers) while calling everybody bloody good blokes and top sheilas. Not Australian? It's a country of immigrants anyway, so you'll fit right in. Grab your mates and head to Sanlitun's Little Creatures for RMB 35 beers and nibbles this Saturday for an all-day Aussie special. 11.30am-late. Little Creatures
Pssst... it's the last weekend of great live music before CNY! Don't panic, just read this.
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Email: tautviledaugelaite@thebeijinger.com
