Wanted to dislike it, but couldn't

I was a big fan of this venue when it was the first Kro's Nest location in Chaoyang District, and was also a fan of the man "Kro" Bauer. So when he became yet another sad case study for a successful foreigner pushed out of his business by a local partner, I vowed never to cross its threshold again.

However, with a friend visiting from out of town who liked the venue in its previous incarnation, convenience overpowered conviction, and I sat down for another pizza, which Tube Station claims is Beijing's largest. We actually ordered the medium, which was still plenty for three of us.

Tube Station's Gongti crowd was, on a Wednesday night, almost entirely young and local, and some of them may very well have been stopping in for something to eat before hopping to neighboring Vic's or other nearby clubs. They certainly have a club-conducive happy hour: 17:00-22:00, Monday through Friday, half-price on selected cocktails, which for the most part will mean RMB 15 per drink. Soft drinks are RMB 15 with free refills.

The pizza was essentially as I remembered it: big, American-style, very tasty, very filling. Fans of European-style, thin-crust pizza will not likely love this kind. It's great for an office party, a birthday party, or other informal and generally low-cost night out, which seemed to be what a lot of the patrons surrounding us were doing.

The only thing that seemed to change was the wait. With the venue full (at least the back garden was full, with more waiting in line), it took at least 30 minutes for the pizza to arrive. Get there early (before 6:30), or call ahead to reserve a table.

I would go back. Now that Kro isn't part of any of the businesses that bear or previously bore his nickname, it doesn't actually make a difference. Kro's Sanlitun location is too claustrophobic and getting a table is impossible. As such this may be a viable alternative, and is certainly easier to find than other nearby venues for visitors unfamiliar with Beijing or the Sanlitun area.