Confusion as Popular Hutong Bar Closes Its Doors to Non-Chinese Customers

"The pandemic is in some way like a magical mirror that exposes a person's morality and character to the fullest extent. The virus knows no ideology, border or race. The destinies of all countries are closely intertwined. No one can make up for lost time by slandering others or shifting the blame. The only way to defeat the virus is through solidarity and cooperation..."

At the same time that China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying was uttering these words at a press conference held primarily to discuss the perceived blaming of China for the coronavirus pandemic by countries across the world yesterday, in a small hutong off of Beiluogu Xiang in Beijing's Dongcheng District, customers of The Other Place/El Nido were met by a sign describing how a "temporary arrangement" had forced the bar to turn away foreign customers or risk being closed down. As the notice states: "We have been instructed that currently we cannot operate if we accept non-Chinese customers."

This is not the first example of anti-foreigner sentiment in the capital. Social media is crawling with first-hand anecdotes of real or perceived discrimination, and hotels and short term rental agencies have largely shut their doors. It's not even the first sign we've seen in Beijing explicitly banning foreigners – that honor goes to this Beijing hairdresser. But it is the first example we've seen of a foreign-owned business choosing to exclude foreign customers, and the only business to do so in the immediate area. 

Notably, it comes four days after China closed its borders to all foreigners with only 48-hours notice.

As to why only El Nido has installed such a policy, the person who brought the sign to our attention, who spoke to the Beijinger on the condition of anonymity, said, "I would think it is because it has been the only place in the area where foreigners gather to drink. They have been open throughout the outbreak, never closed down. Maybe the local bureau saw it as a trouble spot, maybe local residents complained about drunk foreigners without masks and such." They added that "The waiter was very apologetic."

El Nido declined to comment when contacted by the Beijinger.

However, when we reached out to the Langjia Hutong local administration, where El Nido is located, a representative there informed us that there are no regulations disallowing foreigners to enter or dine in the hutong, adding, "How could such a thing even be possible?"

As we have seen throughout the pandemic outbreak, the hutongs, in particular, have been subject to oft-changing rules which differ between one local community to the next. That mixed response and imbalanced enforcement has led to confusion among residents and business owners alike. It is unclear whether these exclusions stem from actual government directives, or overstretched local committees trying their best to prevent an outbreak in high-density, high-risk areas and business owners struggling to comply while also trying to keep their business afloat.

In the interim, if you'd still like to enjoy El Nido's beers, foreigners can still order via its delivery service. Learn more via their WeChat (ID: 牛逼的elnido).

READ: Public Dining Guidelines Updated Once Again but Confusion Remains as to Enforcement

Image: El Nido