We're not proud to admit it but sometimes nothing is more satisfying than sitting on the sofa in your pajamas, pulling out your phone, and watching the cogs of China's rapid economic development spin into action. We are of course talking about ordering waimai, which for better or for worse is significantly quicker, more convenient, and more affordable in China than the countries from which we hail.

Nowadays, the two main competing apps for food delivery are Meituan (美团) and Eleme (饿了么). After downloading both you'll have access to the vast majority of food delivery options out there, putting you one step closer to couch potato world domination. Right now, the Meituan app is the most popular because the Eleme app can be harder to navigate, and tends to crash more often. However, in an effort to draw users, Eleme offers bigger discounts, sometimes rendering the exact same food item cheaper.

Before you get started, it's worth having a dictionary handy to ensure that you know what you’re going to eat. Do also keep in mind that the food delivery industry business is one of the most wasteful, plastic-obsessed industries out there, so when possible, we recommend adding the note 无需餐具，无需纸巾，并请尽量简单打包 wúxū cānjù, wúxū zhǐjīn, bìng qǐng jǐnliàng jiǎndān dǎbāo (please no chopsticks, cutlery, napkins, or excess packaging) to try and cut down on waste.

Below we'll explain how the process works via both Meituan and Eleme as well as provide screenshots on how to navigate the two delivery platforms. Now, let's get down to business.
 

How to place an order (on Meituan and Eleme)

Create an account by clicking "my profile" in the bottom right-hand corner, then enter your address, suite number, name, sex, and phone number. Note that upon placing your orders, the restaurant might call you if they don’t have the item you wanted, and the delivery person is likely to call if they can't find your apartment.

Meituan

Eleme

Now go to the home page, and type in the food item you’re looking for on the very top. While you can search for some terms in English, we don't recommend it, and you'll get much better results by translating the food item into Chinese first.
 

Search for what you want to eat

Restaurant options will usually be displayed according to proximity. Click on the restaurant/venue name to see more options.

For some items, you can just press the ‘+’ button to add an item to your cart, which will show up at the bottom of the screen. For other items, you need to choose specifications (选规格 xuǎn guīgé). For instance, when ordering a pizza, you would need to indicate the size of this pizza that you want (6, 9, or 12 inches). The price will also sometimes change accordingly depending on whether you add or remove ingredients.

Meituan

Eleme

Navigating to checkout

After you’ve selected all the food you want, press the red button at the very bottom to go to your cart (去结算 qù jiésuàn), which will calculate your total after discounts, utensil costs, delivery cost, etc.

Meituan

Eleme

Paying for your food

The last step is to pay, for which there is a variety of options. Alipay or WeChat pay are the two most common payment methods, and if you've gotten this far it's likely that you already have these services. 

Meituan

Eleme

Now, just sit back and wait, and remember to say 谢谢 to your waimai guy when he delivers your delicious meal!

READ: Never See the Underside of a Table Again With These Tips on How to Drink Baijiu

Images: Unsplash, Meituan, Eleme

Feeling thirsty? Wet your whistle with Booze News, our wrap-up of the week's best bar deals, parties, drink concoctions, industry gossip, and more.

Guest Shift With Rudi Carraro of Artesian, Winner of the World's 50 Best Bars List

Now here's an after-work cocktail worth getting dressed up for: Rudi Carraro former head bartender of London's famous Artesian Bar (also pictured in the lead image above), is working a guest shift at Bulgari Il Bar tonight, May 21. Artesian Bar snagged the coveted top spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list thanks to a cocktail menu that "effortlessly blends modern innovation with a classic reverence," so you know you're in good hands.

These days, Carraro is a global brand ambassador for Amaro Montenegro, and his guest menu at II Bar will include a Monte Mule (made with Amaro Montenegro), and a Caffe Martini (featuring Vecchia Romagna cognac). May 21, 7pm-11pm. II Bar at Bulgari Hotel
 

50/50's Refreshing New Summer Menu

Peach and cucumber are the foundational flavors of 50/50's new summer cocktail menu, which was released last week. The six-month-old Xingfucun speakeasy, hidden behind an unassuming entranceway between Cannon's and O'Steak, will run for three months alongside the regular year-round menu, also designed by head bartender Zhang “Mark” Wei. 

Some of the standout drinks from the menu include the Peach Please! (RMB 90, made with fresh peach, dry sherry, honey, Thai lime, and light rum), and the High-Key (RMB 80) and Low-Key (RMB 90) cucumber cocktails. Of those, the cucumber flavors shine through more vibrantly in the High-Key, thanks to ingredients like Creme de Cacao, fresh cucumber juice, mint, Thai lime, and cucumber-infused gin. It also has a lower alcohol content than the Low-Key, which is made with cucumber, Amaro, dry vermouth and rye whiskey. Both are incredibly refreshing, and when taken in the laid-back, softly lit bar, make for the perfect antidote to the scorching weather outside. 

50/50 partner EJ always intended for the cocktail bar to be the kind of space where one could enjoy a real conversation, without fighting over loud music or downing endless overly stiff drinks. To that end, the bar also offers a handful of alcohol-free options including the Thai Iced Tea, and Citrus & Bitters (both RMB 50), and the newly launched happy hour deal, which runs from 7-9.30pm every night. For RMB 120, you can enjoy four different cocktails pre-selected by the bar (three of which are lower alcohol), an idea that EJ says was inspired by the beer flight concept, so that patrons can try out some of 50/50's different offerings without, well, getting totally wasted. Read our original review of the bar here.
 

Great Leap's Pizza Party

This Saturday, GLB's Lido location is hosting a pizza party fully loaded with top-notch beers from across the US. More than 40 brands will be available, and for RMB 200 you can have as your liver can withstand in the allotted time (noon-5pm, while supplies last). There'll also be free-flow pizza to help you soak up the booze.

Among the beer highlights: Free Bird, a fruity and hoppy pale ale brewed by Chicago's Begyle Brewing; a barrel-soured Blue Sunday Sour by Michigan's New Holland Brewing; and a Mash & Coconut, a bourbon barrel-aged barley wine ale by California's The Bruery. RMB 200. May 25, noon-5pm. Great Leap Brewing Lido
 

Jing-A Wraps up Jing-Jing Beer Garden

On Sunday, May 26, Jing-A will wrap up its month-long beer garden at The Opposite House's Jing Yaa Tang with a closing party that features a live DJ and a free keg (i.e. first 50 beers). So be sure to get there early on Sunday, or swing by in the days before that to try their shrimp wontons, spicy popcorn chicken, wok-fried lamb with cumin, and other bites along with the Jing-A beers on tap in this sunken, intimate venue. May 26, 5pm onward.
 

Boxing Cat's Authentic New German Brew 

Starting May 22, Boxing Cat will launch its new ABV 5.5 percent Bromeo Hoppy Wheat beer. It's an authentic Hefeweizen replete with German hops, and boasting sweet melon, white grape, banana, and vanilla aromas. The Xinyuanli craft brewery team says that the beer's high carbonation and low bitterness "makes it taste like an aromatic juice." Sounds like the beginning of a real bromance to us.
 

Thirsty Thursdays at Fez Bar

For many Nali Patio regulars, the warm May weather can only mean one thing: it's time to stop by Fez. The veteran terrace bar is known for its elegant ambiance and its moreish cocktails. And while F&B competition has gotten stiffer since it opened about a decade ago, Fez stays in the mix with a tempting 20 percent Thursday discount on its punch bowls and spirits bottles.
 

The Irish Volunteer Returns!

The luck of the Irish has struck once again in Lido. Nearly a year after shutting down at their original location opposite Lido Hotel, the beloved Irish pub will be back starting this weekend a stone's throw away at Fangyuan West Road, splitting the space with Buddy and Ganges. They're marking the comeback with live music starting at 3pm for a party that's sure to run late and get rowdy – it wouldn't be an Irish pub any other way.

READ: Beijing Craft Brewers Win Big at Australian International Beer Awards

Photos: PJ Productions, courtesy of the bars, Lum Dim Sum, Jamaal Pemberton

Could it be true what the tenured expats say? “Either you leave before five years, or you stay for good.” I thought I had escaped the nine-to-five, find-a-wife, buy-a-house, settle-down, monotonous, endless cycle of suffering the Buddhists call saṃsāra and Americans call suburbia. Life was bound to catch up with me.

Everything was different back then; nothing has changed since, and I am tired of the same routine. Burger Cup. Pizza Cup. Burger Cup. Pizza Cup. Burger Cup. Alba remodeled, ready for Pizza Cup. Maybe I’ve stayed too long. This year is my sixth. China used to be wild: the Wild, Wild East. I can’t handle another movie night. We tried making it fun by watching fringe content. But those mothers who rampaged against violent video games were right; once you watch enough snuff films, you do get desensitized. Death just bores me, back to cat videos. Beijing is a lot like that; first it’s all chicken hearts, then it’s pig brains that are just like tofu, then why not eat a goat penis. Where does this madness end?

Am I just a full-blown masochist now? I do seem to be on a quest of self-impediment if not full-blown self-sabotage. Maybe I need a girlfriend. I’d probably just ruin that too. Well, there is no turning back. Daisy’s Beauty Salon it is.

“This is your first time?” says, presumably, Daisy.

“Yes.”

“You know it really hurts.”

“Yes.”

“So, you want to take it all off?”

“Are there other options?”

“Most men remove everything, some like to leave a little something on.”

“Err, let’s do it all.”

“Great, get on the bed and spread your legs.”

There’s a certain face we all make when we choose to be ignorant of imminent danger, much like that of the headlight-stunned deer. Some call it bravery.

“Oh my, it’s quite long.” She says in a non-complimentary way.

“I’m sorry, I have never done something like this. I don’t know the protocol.”

“Just sit back. Try to relax.”

Using a large wooden tongue depressor, she smears on a warm honey-like substance and then presses down with the full weight of her body. Yank.

“Your hair is very thick.”

She yanks the cloth again, this time stripping a patch of pubic hair with it. Yelp.

“Who handles the pain better men or women?” I ask hopefully.

“Women are packaged a little nicer, or maybe they are just stronger...” I should have known. “You may want to breathe for this one. Men seem not to like it.” She uproots a forest from the base of the mountain.

“[Insert expletive]!”

All fear of accidental arousal vanished as a dreadful sense of vulnerability sinks in. If a man holds a knife to you in the street, you give him your wallet. But what do you do when they already have the family jewels in hand? Anything they say. Then again, there is something rather maternal about a woman so methodically treating your undercarriage, which again beckons compliance. Either way, I quietly bite down on my tongue in pain and follow the instructions.

“Flip over... No, no, ass in the air. Head to the ground. Yes.” She contorts my backend into the optimal open-canyon. There’s a certain apprehension we all feel when a warm goo oozes down our ass cheeks. However, this intensifies when you remember it is hot wax and not yesterday’s hot pot. She wrenches out the backcountry undergrowth in a series of rips.

“Flip back over. Wider. Good. Now, I will tweeze the stragglers.” Somehow, it is even worse. I soon come to miss the acreage of the last method as she tears lone hairs out of the razed terrain, follicle by follicle. As the plucks feel more like stabs, I peek from behind my fingers to confirm I have not been dismembered. Phew, intact. I try to be a man. Only to remember, this is the least manly thing I have ever done. Irony may be our only comfort in this postmodern world.

Daisy assures me it is done. She then applies a cooling ointment. It feels nice. I exhale slowly. She leaves me alone with my dignity to see if we can reconcile. As per usual, we can’t. Then, my dignity leaves me alone with my pluck-pocked cock. It looks awful. I quietly get dressed and simper home with my still rather sensitive secret between my legs.

All in all, Daisy (or perhaps her employee) was extremely professional throughout the entire ordeal, which turned out to be a brisk forty minutes. She promised that the redness would reduce, and as of the next day, it has. It also feels amazing. She promised next time would be easier too. Maybe it will, and maybe I will never find out. So, if you want to gain a few optical inches, increase dance floor confidence, and feel smoother than a prepubescent boy, visit one of the establishments below for your first and unforgettable taste of manscaping.

Dare to try? Rough up your muff at the following beauty salons:

• Daisy’s Beauty Salon - RMB 380 (plus 10 percent off on your first visit)
• Waxing Society - RMB 440
• Carezza - RMB 400

READ: How to Make Sure Your Landlord Isn't Spying on You and Getting an Eyeful of Your New Rug

Photo: Giphy, baidu.com

EAT: Your bite-sized guide to the best eats to be had in Beijing this week.

Q Mex Taqueria x Gyu Tetsu Collaboration

Q Mex Taqueria has teamed up with Japanese barbecue restaurant/izakaya Gyu Tetsu to create two limited-edition Japanese-Mexican fusion dishes. Created by Marcus Medina and Shioyama Shimpei, one of the dishes will be available at Q Mex Taqueria and one will be available at Gyu Tetsu. The former is a tasty wagyu beef taco (pictured above, with meat provided by Gyu Tetsu), featuring steak marinated in a Japanese-style barbecue sauce and served on a white corn tortilla with chili and black olive guacamole, a wasabi-ponzu vinegar sauce, and a sprinkling of nori and scallions. The tacos are priced at RMB 88 for three.

The dish available over at Gyu Tetsu is a wagyu beef skirt steak with a Mexican-style marinade made from pineapple, red guajillo chili, apple vinegar, garlic, and onions (RMB 108). The beef is cooked on the grill before being served with a side of miso paste dip. Both dishes are available until Jun 15, although Q Mex Taqueria hinted that they might add the beef tacos to the menu permanently. Click here to read what we thought of Gyu Tetsu when it opened earlier this year.
 

New Menu at The Rug Café WFC

The Rug Café at Wangfu Central has just introduced a new menu. As we have come to expect from The Rug over the years, the dishes are brunch-friendly, beautifully presented (AKA Instagrammable), and incorporate creative, Asian-inspired twists. Take the "wasabi scream smoky salmon avocado hash" (RMB 88, pictured above) for example, which takes one of their popular potato hash browns and adds a piquant wasabi sauce. For something more substantial, try the sous-vide chicken breast soba (RMB 78) – perfect for a hot day. This branch of The Rug Café also has one of Beijing's nicest outdoor spaces, making it a great place for brunch before the weather gets too hot to handle.

Weekday Set Lunch Menu at Merci

TRB Group's latest restaurant concept Merci, located in Joy City, has introduced a weekday set lunch menu priced at RMB 90. For that price you get an appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink from a selection that includes dishes like pumpkin soup, duck confit, pan-fried sea bass, and crème brûlée. The drink selection includes red or white wine if you feel like treating yourself. Read our review of TRB's latest outing here.
 

Wine and The City: Hermitage vs. Barossa at Morton's

Learn the difference between Shiraz and Syrah as French and American wines face off over a four-course dinner at Morton's of Chicago. Priced at RMB 888 per person, the menu includes steak tartare paired with Cave de Tain Hermitage Grand Classique Rhone Valley, France 2007 and center-cut filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes paired with Maverick Greenock Rise Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia 2016. Also during the event, Alan Skalaski, a talented artist from the United States will talk about his style and inspiration and then create a live painting experience during the dinner. Click here to buy tickets.

READ: Topwin Mall Gets an F&B Shake Up, Ousts Favorites Shawarma Dareen and Fatboy's

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos: xxx

How bad is the smog these days, really? Who is keeping tabs on the state of our drinking water? What has the government done about carbon emissions lately? In Beicology we turn our focus toward environmental news in the capital. 

Rising Smog Levels 

The blue skies and low smog days we've been enjoying of late would’ve seemed unfathomably good for those of us who survived the record-breaking Red Alert pollution days of 2015 and 2016. Yet, despite recent news that Beijing is set to enjoy its sixth consecutive year of improved air quality, it looks like China's pollution levels as a whole are poised to regress. That's according to experts who warn that China’s sluggish economy is taking precedence over environmental protection. 

READ: Beijing Not Even in Top 100 Most Polluted Cities in the World

The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment admitted that air pollution levels in haze-prone northern Chinese locales like Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin shot up 8 percent from January to April, according to the South China Morning Post. And while officials insist they are holding firm on clean air measures, Lauri Myllyvirta, senior analyst at Greenpeace, is unconvinced.

According to Myllyvirta:“Predictably, local governments did away with restrictions on industrial operations that had squeezed output and emissions in 2017-18.” She went on to cite steel, cement, a variety of metals, and thermal power production among the culprits that enjoyed loosened regulations this past winter.

Bumbling Polluters 

The old adage “the only thing worse than the crime is the cover-up” seems especially well suited to some of the Chinese officials involved. A scathing SCMP scoop revealed that politicians have not only been caught distorting pollution data but in some cases even colluded with polluting companies in an effort to cover their tracks.

“Pollution inspectors have found evidence in a number of city environmental protection bureaus of made-up meeting notes and even instructions to local companies to forge materials,” the SCMP reports. 

While none of the culprits mentioned in that story, a veritable rogues' gallery of environmental data tamperers, were from Beijing, this is cold comfort when one considers the lengths that other officials went to conceal their corruption. Officials in Ningxia apparently learned from their brethren in the capital, trying to “improve their results in December 2017 by ordering sanitation workers to spray the building of the local environmental protection bureau with an anti-smog water cannon. The intention was to lower the amount of pollutant particles registered by the building’s monitoring equipment.”

But in a twist fit for a Hollywood comedy, the officials were only caught because they failed to check the weather forecast; a drastic drop in temperature solidifying their efforts as a suspicious layer of ice come inspection time the following day. 

READ: Can Beijing's New Water Cannons Super Soak the Skies Blue?

Clearer Horizons?

Thankfully, China’s environmental headlines aren’t entirely bleak. A recent Reuters piece titled “China starts first round of intensified anti-pollution checks” describes how thousands of inspectors have been dispatched to 25 cities nationwide in an effort to ramp up anti-pollution measures.

Aside from smog, the inspections will also cover solid waste imports, urban sewage renovation, water pollution in the vicinity of the Yangtze River, and more. 

Meanwhile, inspectors have already conducted a series of air pollution checks this month not only in Beijing and Tianjin but also 37 other cities in neighboring Hebei, locales which mostly fell short of their state-mandated air pollution goals this past winter. A spokesperson for the inspectors told reporters: “We will hold accountable local officials in the regions missing the targets and send inspectors and experts to help them improve air quality.”

Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not these freshly-minted inspectors will be able to deter corrupt officials from accidentally freezing their buildings as they attempt to hose away poor readings. One can only hope that that level of effort and creativity goes into better anti-smog practices instead.

READ: How Beijing Broke Ground on Combating China's Soil Pollution Problem

Photo: Hong Kong FP

Commanding the stage dressed in exotic threads, including a scarf draped over her head, 62-year-old Republic of Tuva singer Sainkho Namtchylak never fails to impress audiences with her spellbinding, frequently improvisational throat-singing performances.

Throat-singing, also known as Khöömei in Tuvan, is a singular technique that requires the performer to hit two or three notes simultaneously. It’s so unique that you might have trouble believing the sound is coming from a human being. Rooted in Tuvan and Mongolian culture, throat-singing was officially a male-only undertaking before the 1990s. Even today, the scene is still comparatively dominated by male singers, of which Huun-Huur-Tu is perhaps one of the best-known bands.  

Even though that sexist system barred Namtchylak from official throat-singing training, she secretly learned it as a youngster and later left for Moscow to further her studies. After returning from Russia, she joined the Tuvan State folk ensemble Sayani and became the very first female musician to publicly perform Khöömei.

Expanding seven octaves, Namtchylak’s voice makes an immediate and even haunting emotional impact. Although rooted in traditional Tuvan techniques, Namtchylak has explored other styles ranging from abstract experimental music to avant-garde jazz. She has now secured a strong position in the music circuit that used to be dominated by her male counterparts.

Singing in three languages – Tuvan, Russian, and English – Namtchylak has released over 70 solo and collaborative albums. For a better appreciation of her music, we probably have to take a look at Tuva, the small isolated country on the Siberian Plateau, its history and culture, which constantly inspire Namtchylak’s expanding vision.

Take Lost Rivers, from the album of the same name. The track has no lyrics and is instead comprised of vulnerable, heartwrenching moans. The album was released in 1991, a time when Tuva witnessed great social changes as the result of locals fighting for additional social rights before being officially recognized as a part of the Russian Federation in early 1992. 

Namthylak was once quoted as saying: “A country going out of control is like a lost river that dried up by natural disasters. I have to convey this feeling in a special way. I want people to sense the pain and fear via a women’s honest, unvarnished scream."

The quite unusual track was included in German music textbooks as a standard for those studying vocal experiments.

Namtchylak’s most celebrated album is probably Stepmother City, released in 2002. The album was a hit not only because of its ingenious combination of avant-jazz and electronica with Tuvan traditional folk songs but also because it subtly yet powerfully highlights the social issues Tuva has faced among the trend of modernization.

Organized by local music management company Stallion Era, Namtchylak returns to Beijing this Friday, May 24 as part of her Naked Spirit tour (watch the preview for her previous Beijing show from last year here). This time she's heading to the Poly Theatre, along with her band Sainkho Kosmos, a group of folk instrumentalists and jazz musicians. She will be performing 16 pieces, including some traditional Tuvan songs, highlights from her expansive catalog, and more.

Sainkho Kosmos' Naked Spirit Concert is scheduled for 7.30pm on May 24 at Dongsishitiao's Poly Theatre. Tickets are RMB 180-580, which you can book here.

READ: 5 Bands to Watch at This Year's RYE Music Festival, May 25-26

Photos courtesy of Stallion Era

Today marks the official one-month countdown to this year's Beijing Burger Festival, the juiciest weekend of the summer! It's also your opportunity to guarantee a place at China's biggest burger-related event ahead of time. That's right, early bird tickets for the Jun 22-23 festival are now on sale which are not only much cheaper but will also get you some awesome burger loot!

This year, we're offering early birders two options:

• Pay RMB 50 now and get yourself a ticket, Beijing Burger Festival T-shirt, and bandana (this package will cost RMB 120 on the day) or...
• Pay RMB 20 for a ticket and a bandana (this package will cost RMB 60 on the day)

To buy your Early Bird tickets right now, click here.

This year's festival will be bigger and better than ever, with 15,000 burger fiends scouring 50 booths for the best burgers, booze, and bites as well as two full days of music, entertainment, and competitions. This year's Burger Festival will also be our most vegan and vegetarian-friendly yet so that you can come a gorge on burgers no matter your dietary persuasion.

Watch this space for a full rundown of who will attend this year's festival, but for now get your juices flowing with a look at some of last year's highlights:

Excited? Grab your tickets now!

Photos: Uni You

What's Up, Wudaokou? Whether you're at Tsinghua, BLCU, Peking University, or even Google, there is an event for you in Haidian. In this series, we round up the best innovation, entrepreneurship, technology forums and workshops as well as student-related events. Don't worry, we'll even sneak in the occasional happy hour...

Wednesday, May 22

From Community Leader to Entrepreneur
Tonight, Startup Grind are hosting an event about how to make revenue out of social values, a topic often overlooked in the world of entrepreneurship, in favor of move-fast-break-things, profit first behavior. Learn about how and why so many people are generating value from non-profit organizations and community services, as well as plenty of great insights on how to translate social values into profitable companies. The key speaker will be Maggie Zhang the CEO of She Talks. The event is free but 30RMB for seat reservation is required, which will be refunded after the event. Free. 6.30-9pm. 706 Youth Space 

Friday, May 24

Startup Weekend Beijing
This Friday marks the beginning of the three-day Startup Weeked here in Beijing. If you're interested in becoming an entrepreneur, tech geek, technical professional, marketing professional or anything related (and we bet you are, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this article), then this is likely to be one of the highlights of your calendar. This intensive 54-hour event, spread out over three days is all about brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation. All attendees are expected to work hard and create a new project within the timeline of the workshop. Participants will also get a chance to create working startups as well as collaborations with like-minded individuals outside their daily networks. Regular RMB 349, Students RMB 200, Sunday-only observers RMB 99. 9am-10pm. Peking University

Saturday, May 25

Get Your Research Published!
Are you struggling to get your research published? Struggle no more. In this workshop, prolific writer, researcher, and Tsinghua alum Djavan De Clercq will share his insights on how to conduct and publish outstanding research, and increase your competency and skillet in both industry and academia. As the title suggests, this is a straightforward event that will equip you with a clear road map on how to get your research published from the initial stage of planning, writing, submission and get acceptance. RMB 145. 9am-12.30pm. Tsinghua University

Sunday, May 26

2019 K&S Startup Pitch Competition
Finish Africa Week on a high note, with this pitching competition from the best in the biz. Join Kente & Silk, a social enterprise dedicated to improving Africa – China relations as they take the five selected startups through the finals process as they are judged by experts in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. This year's finalists were chosen because of their unique ideas, business strategy, and commitment to the support of Africa, African in China and Africa-China relations. The finalists have businesses ranging from the technology, fashion, and recruitment sector. Don't miss what promises to be an exciting and inspiring event. Free. 2-6pm. Schwarzman College

Art in Her Story
The Wǒmen Society of Yenching Academy/Peking University welcomes applications to their half-day long conference, titled “Art in HerStory” which they describe as "a multilayered event intending to bring together female artists and talent in China." The conference program will include a lecture exploring the representation of gender in film, a panel discussion on Chinese contemporary visual arts, a literature workshop directed by Josh Cake, and an evening performance by a Beijing-based musician Miranda Vukasovic. If you're interested in attending, apply via the link in the events page above. Applications close Thursday, May 23. Free (but attendance application is mandatory). 2-9pm. Peking University

READ: "I'm Walking in the Footsteps of the World's Richest and Greatest Entrepreneurs"

Images: courtesy of event organizers

Dianping is king in our fair capital, as any foodie or barfly worth their salt will tell you. Better make that starmaker, seeing as the F&B directory and reviewing platform is ubiquitous enough to draw hordes anywhere with high star ratings. So when Lao “Lincoln” Hu saw that his DaliDali cocktail bar had cracked the coveted Dianping top ten for Beijing's Dongcheng District (through a system that awards points based on positive comments and users' rankings), he was pleased, to say the least. After all, he only opened the bar a month ago, after cutting his teeth at the hugely popular neighboring Mai Bar.

Even cynics that scoff about such rankings being rigged won’t be able to deny how popular the Andingmen bar is upon stepping inside. The softly lit venue was bustling on what we assumed would be a sleepy midweek evening.

Most of those patrons were chic young Chinese women ordering cocktails like the Chinese Date Old Fashioned. A title that refers to jujube dried dates, not the night-on-the-town variety, though DaliDali's rustic decor and romantic lanterns do place it a prime date spot. The jujubes set what should be a standard old fashioned apart with their savory and fruity flavor, meanwhile, the Fitzgerald 1843 bourbon that Lincoln uses to infuse the jujubes with is potent enough to make your vision as woozy as the surreal artworks of Salvador Dali, from whom the bar takes its name.

Aside from jujubes, other common Chinese ingredients are creatively incorporated throughout the menu. The jasmine-infused negroni (also RMB 65), with the lip-smacking sourness of its vermouth, is balanced by a gentle and earthy tea aftertaste that puts a new spin on the increasingly omnipresent negroni.

Other menu highlights include the Smoked Manhattan (made with rye, rose vermouth, Laphroaig ten year old scotch whiskey, and Angostura bitters), the Gin Pesto cocktail (featuring fresh basil, lemon juice, and syrup with its gin base), a White Russian with coffee bean-infused vodka, a Lavender Moscow Mule (its vodka is infused with those dried fragrant flowers), and a cherry daiquiri. Additionally, prices for all of the above range from RMB 65-75, making DaliDali a standout in Beijing's increasingly costly cocktail scene.

Some of the Chinese patrons seated at the bar echoed that sentiment, adding that they also enjoyed the fun usage of mainland ingredients, which they would dutifully report back to fellow users on Dianping.

In that regard, DaliDali is a compelling example of how Chinese consumers are shaping the F&B industry in this age of apps. Judging by the dozens of creative Chinese-inclined drinks, charmingly low-key atmosphere, and Lincoln’s attentive and hospitable bartending, we're expecting to see a lot more rave reviews of DaliDali to come, online and off.

DaliDali
Daily, 6pm-1.30am. 15 Huayuan East Hutong (off Andingmen West Street), Dongcheng District (187 1506 9770)
东城区安定门西大街15号

READ: Booze News: The Irish Volunteer Returns, "World's 50 Best Bar" Mixologist at Bulgari, 50/50's New Menu

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
Instagram: mullin.kyle

Photos: Uni You

It's not uncommon to see Beijing dama poking around for fruit and berries in public gardens during the warmer months, but two Haidian women did foragers of China proud earlier this week when they dug up nearly an entire government-planted bamboo forest.

The two middle-aged women, surnamed Yang and Huang, were busted by the Haidian District Landscaping Bureau while uprooting the plants underneath Zizhu Bridge at around midday on May 19, according to QQ News.

Upon closer inspection, the authorities found that the women had bagged 852 prime bamboo shoots, which they said they had intended to eat. Police were dispatched and the women were taken into custody.

At the police station, the women explained that they lived near the bridge and knew of the bamboo planted there, and had waited until it was ripe enough to be harvested. Their DIY approach to stocking their pantries is considered theft of government property and illegal under Chinese law.

The offense was particularly egregious given the high costs that had gone into transplanting the plants from southern China, and the impact of the uprooting, which would stunt the forest's growth for many years to come.

For now, the case remains under further review with no word with how the two bamboo thieves will be charged. If they're lucky, sentencing will be like the growth of a bamboo shoot: very fast.

READ: Strong Winds in Beijing Over the Weekend Kill Four

Photos: Unsplash, QQ News

While it’s common for rock outfits to pad out their sound over the years to appease the mainstream market, aiming for a slicker and blander arena rock sound, Silent Speech have stuck to their guns over the past ten years, forging indie rock that swoons one moment and explodes the next. 

Their patience paid off last year when they were signed to Ruby Eyes Records, followed by the release of their robust first EP, City Bird earlier this year. Effortlessly maneuvering from one style to another they’re a melodic, emotional wry, and instrumentally charged blend of '90s alt-rock that’s above all else genuine and assured.

Led by singer Wu Xiaoran, whose anguished timbre flows in and out of the songs, and rounded out by a trio of skilled musicians in the form of Shi Xin (guitar), Erzu (drums), and Fred Shi (bass), they have a knack for building up their songs in unexpected ways, luring listeners into a spell-like trance before dovetailing into cascading prog-rock-laced jam. Intricately constructed, their songs are rich in their layers, each one essential to the band’s scope that matches the high stake emotions found within.

We chatted with the band as they close out their nationwide tour in support of their EP with one last home turf gig this Friday, May 24 at School Bar. 

It's hard to believe you guys have been around for ten years now! That's a long stretch between formation and record deal. Were there ever moments where you wanted to throw in the towel?
This, we feel, has a lot to do with the way this band operates; not one member's involvement is a coincidence, but a decision after lengthy consideration. When frontman Wu Xiaoran and guitarist Shi Xin founded the band, it took them three years of discussion and experimentation to settle on the aesthetics and the drive behind the band. They knew both bassist Fred and drummer Erzu for over two years too, before them coming on board. The mutual trust was there before any music was discussed, and hence everyone knows each other's role and strengths very well. 

If Silent Speech were one person, guitarist Shi Xin would be the heart of the band, pumping blood to the entire body, while Fred is the bones supporting the weight and connecting them all together. Erzu is like the brain, where logic and emotions meet, while Wu Xiaoran is the skin and flesh that first meets the eye, and makes that vital first impression.

At the moment musically, ideas are brought in by Shi Xin and Wu Xiaoran, then everyone adds in their own interpretation. So much so that some songs turn out completely different from the original idea, we really enjoy this process. 

Of course, members fight over things that hadn't been discussed before, but because of that 'unspoken agreement' mentioned above, they don't get in the way of our creative process. And because of that, we've never really thought of giving up because of these hardships.

The name Silent Speech fits the band like a glove – what's the meaning behind it?
'Silent Speech' the name, implies contradiction and contrast. And you can say that about many people or things, being contradictory; or your best friend, having a 'Silent Speech.’ 

What I mean is, there's a Silent Speech in all of us, you can change that to 'Shy Fury' or 'Muted Scream,' etc., and those names would just be labels. There's a clash and contrast between the static and the moving, and that reflects a state within everyone. Someone can give a great speech on stage but be extremely introverted, others seldom express themselves but are screaming, raging inside. 

The twists and turns in your music make every song feel like a full meal. Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? 
We don't like to be labeled by genres, at least thatʼs what we try to work towards. Although there are traces of influences from music pioneers at different times, they themselves learned from the pioneers before them. We've actually had this conversation before as a band! And thought it'd be fun to name a person of influence to each of us, and have them come together as a hypothetical band, and that would be lead singer: Charles Thompson (Pixies), guitar: Jeff Beck, bass: Jaco Pastorius, and drummer: Steve Lamos (American Football). What a lineup!

A lot of work must go into making your intricate and rigorous music. How do you gauge when to hold back and let a song breathe or when to unleash the rock and roll demons? 
These 'Silent Speech' songs, indeed took a while to get to where they are. This is mainly because we all have different understandings of music, and therefore it takes time to find the common ground. There are ideas that don't fit in the narrative of the band (a good few dozen), and you may find them in members' solo projects perhaps, or other band projects.

Regarding the contrasts and changes in each song, we tend to go back and forth, finding what excites each of us, and experiment. This helps and everyone can own it when they play their part. Most of the times we don't put too much thought into how the audience would perceive them. That isn't to say we don't want the songs to be liked, but we want to fulfill our own self-expression before that. 

This one's for Shi Xin: Iʼm always impressed when I see someone whip out a trumpet onstage, especially if they are the lead singer. How do you balance these two disciplines?
There's a saying in China: 饱吹饿唱 bǎo chuī è chàng – meaning (you should) play the wind instrument full while singing on an empty stomach. I sometimes struggle to get a balanced breath on stage, but I think of the trumpet as an extension of my voice, and the voice as an instrument. These thoughts ease me up. Also if you pay attention, we don't put two songs with trumpet together.

To help me get a better voice, I have a can of Coke or some sweets before the stage, but these carbonates and sugar corrode brass instruments, something again I find very 'Silent Speech.’

At one point, the band was spread out across China. How much do work and the various requirements of life affect the band?
Yes, our former drummer Iris now lives in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and it had been difficult to stay in a creative mode when you don't physically see each other often. (Maybe technology will help with that in the near future?) Fortunately, Erzu joined us, and Iris who is still a good friend to all of us is visiting from HK and might play a couple of songs at School Bar this Friday. But now we've found some balance between the band and other facets of life, for example, we have all given up some of the material comforts for the band. But money is always an issue for an independent band, we're glad to have made some decisions along the way to get us where we are now.

Also, we're very grateful to the friends who have been extremely understanding. Shi Xin and Wu Xiaoran also have a video production studio, and now that the focus is shifted onto the band, other partners of the studios understood it and even took on some extra workload. So we're very grateful to the people who have been helping us, and try to be the best musically as we can be.

This will be your the last gig of your nationwide tour. Any memorable sets or moments on your travels? 
It was fun to be on the road! But more importantly, it's a process of unleashing the energy and discovering the problems. We really enjoyed all of it. And the sit down with a cold drink after the gig, full of sweat, talking about what went well and what didn't, is the moment you realize that it's all worth it. 

Catch Silent Speech for the release of their new EP at School Bar on May 24 at 9pm. Tickets are RMB 80 advance or RMB 100 on the door.

READ: 5 Bands to Watch at This Year's RYE Music Festival, May 25-26

Image: Linc, Silent Speech

Destination has long been the place for Beijing’s LGBTQI residents to party and dance into the wee hours. However, within the last year, the venue has also been branding itself as a "multicultural center", and has been making efforts to provide Beijing's queer community with something more, expanding to offer food (via the adjoining DesLink restaurant), art exhibitions, social events, and talks in their designated art space Des Art. Most of all, Destination wants to position itself as a place that welcomes everyone.

The road to becoming a hub for the city's LGBTQI population has not always been easy. Edmund Yang, co-owner of Destination, describes to the Beijinger how the first few years – when the venue expanded its outreach by offering free HIV tests – were particularly hard. Apart from the sensitive nature of advocating for freedom of sexuality in a largely traditional and oppressive society, Yang had to do so while also juggling his full-time work commitments. As a result, Destination sought out additional staff experienced in areas such as PR to help get the word out, a move which helped to bolster the brand and bring attention to the club to those even outside of Beijing.

Despite the progress, Destination continues to be mindful not to “cross the line” and to avoid collaborations or actions that would be deemed “unfavorable” by the local government. In this regard Yang is quick to compliment the work being undertaken by different advocacy groups in Beijing, adding that he believes that fostering a different image of the community can be achieved using a variety of approaches.

We recently sat down with Yang to discuss how exactly he and his team intend to transform the iconic nightlife venue as well as help bring awareness to the LGBTQI community and shape people's perception of it within the wider context of Beijing society.

Why did you decide to reframe Destination as more of a multicultural center?
Destination is a place for people to party and have a drink. However, we also wanted people to have a different perspective on what LGBT people are like and not just the stereotype you see on the television or in the movies. It is important for people to see 'us' in a different way and through the different activities we have at the center, people can see that we are all the same except that we are in a same-sex relationship.

Was it a long and difficult process deciding to transform the space? How did you decide on which partners to collaborate with to achieve your vision?
The process itself was not difficult because the space was already available. We are open to cooperate with different groups and different people.

Do you think that China could one day achieve similar successes as the United States regarding equal representation etc.?
I do, however, this will take time.

Where would you like to see Destination grow in the next few years?
Through cooperation with different organizations, we hope to help promote continued understanding of the many similarities that exist between the LGBTQI society and mainstream society. Furthermore, we would like to break down the barriers and continue to promote equal treatment amongst all people in society through our various events, activities, and the development of the space. 

Destination and its various venues offer a wide variety of events and activities, from art exhibits to Caribbean dance classes. For up-to-date information on what’s going on, subscribe to their official WeChat (ID: 北京目的地).

READ: Beijing’s Top LGBTQI-Friendly Bars

Photo courtesy of Destination

It's weird, it's wonderful, it's a deep-dive into 11 years of blog archives. It's time for Throwback Thursday...

This Thursday, we travel all the way back in time to 2011, when the authorities launched a particularly strong offensive on some of our favorite TV shows (just don't tell anyone because time travel is banned too – more on that later).

Eight years ago, censors were especially fed up with depictions of police, romance, and spies on TV. The temporary ban was implemented during a "propaganda period" in preparation for the then-upcoming 90th anniversary of China's Communist Party. As such, content was replaced by "a wholesome diet of patriotic propaganda that [would] glorify the party ahead of the anniversary on Jul 1,” including dozens of winning formulas that spanned “dramas related to the founding of the party” or “comedy about mothers and their daughters-in-law.” As much as a diet of "dozens" of CCP dramas sounds kind of intriguing, no one seemed to lament the lifting of the ban once the big day had passed.

Since then, Chinese censors have flirted with various other restrictions, ranging from the kind of understandable (nudity) to the completely ridiculous (man buns). Let's take a look at a few of the more fascinating targets over the years. 

Costume Dramas
Level: Some restriction

There is no love greater than the one between a Chinese audience and a good old fashioned costume drama. Even if you haven't watched one yourself, and don't speak Mandarin, there is a good chance that you've acquired a basic knowledge of at least one concubine-replete love story because everybody is watching them, all of the time. While regulations are looser online, TV stations are only allowed to allocate 15 percent of their airtime to costume dramas.

Back in January 2019, certain hit costume dramas were taken down from the streaming platforms after an article published in Beijing Daily accused the shows of encouraging viewers to pursue glamorous lifestyles and promoting pleasure above the virtues of hard work.

Then in March 2019, another temporary ban specifically targeting streaming platforms was implemented. The ban, which will last until June 2019, directly affects costume dramas, with some shows removed completely, and delaying the airing dates of others. It's difficult to measure how successful the new regulations have been; a casual surf on Youku reveals at least a few dramas remain available for free streaming.

Cleavage and nudity
Level: Strict

What's better than a costume drama? A costume drama drowning in cleavage, of course. Or at least it was until the government banned that too. The ultra-popular The Empress of China, also known as the Saga of Wu Zetian, starring persona non grata star Fan Bingbing is considered the catalyst for this anti-boob regulation. Back in 2015, the show aired on Hunan TV but was pulled a few days later due to "technical reasons." Technically it was way too titillating so when it reappeared on screens, the Tang dynasty drama was lacking its previous oomph, with cleavage-revealing having been re-cropped to only show the actors' faces. Despite the censorship, fans still call it by its nickname The Saga of Wu's Breasts. 

Nudity has always been a troublesome topic for Chinese censors, and extreme lengths are often required in order to protect public morality, as anyone who has watched the 2017 Academy Award-winning film Shape of Water in mainland cinemas can attest. In this instance, censors superimposed a dark, shadow-like modesty dress over Sally Hawkins prior to her absconding with the creature from the black lagoon, which led to a slew of hilarious parodies. 

Time travel
Level: Strict

In our opinion, regulations on time travel should be strict. The potential for altering past-future events by squashing the wrong prehistoric mosquito, becoming your own grandfather, or destroying the very fabric of space-time itself is huge! But we're talking about real-world application, not TV depictions. Shows involving time travel were banned in China in 2011, and while the ban applies to only a very small portion of TV content, the restriction is still up and running. The reason that the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) gave for this ban was that time travel dramas "casually make up myths, have monstrous and weird plots, use absurd tactics, and even promote feudalism, superstition, fatalism, and reincarnation," all of which sound pretty great to us. If you were wondering, reincarnation also enjoys a ban all of its own. We wonder why that could be.

Man earrings
Level: Unclear

That's already a lot of banning but alas, a censor's work is never done. In the tail end of 2018, viewers were met with a new trend on online streaming services: blurry male earlobes. That's because a new, altogether weirder regulation on male earrings came into play as a means to preserve the government's fragile sexual state, decreeing that China's male celebrities were harming the populace by being too girly. However, it remained unclear whether the pixelated lobes were the result of an interpretation on the earlier "no obscenity" regulation that saw tattoos covered up, or a direct targetting of the nefarious earrings.

Joking aside, with each restriction bearing down more heavily on the TV industry's shoulders, it truly makes it hard for creators to entertain viewers. Yet netizens, as usual, find the lighter side of the situation, pointing out that many of China's classic novels, like Journey to the West or Dream of the Red Chamber, would be unsuitable for mainland TV given that they explore themes of superstition, teenage and extramarital love, reincarnation, vengeance, and feudal thoughts. If it was OK then, perhaps it will one day be OK again.

READ: Soaring Smog Levels, Intrepid Inspectors, and Half-Baked Cover-ups

Images: Goody Feed, CNN

How much would you pay for clean air? RMB 100? RMB 1,000? RMB 1,000,000? For most people, when faced with the frightening statistics about air pollution and the damage it is wreaking on our health, the sky's the limit, and this "shut up and take my money," attitude is encouraged by major air purifier manufacturers, who can charge extremely high prices to bring you the luxury of clean air.

Smart Air aims to change that. This Tuesday, May 21 the Beijing-based social enterprise and B Corp launched their very first Kickstarter campaign, which will fund the production of their prototype, 'The Sqair,' which they bill as the world's most cost-effective air purifier. The petite Sqair, with it's stylish, Scandi-minimalist design represents a natural next step for the social enterprise who started out selling super-cheap DIY air purifying packs and running education workshops in 2013. The company was born when founder Thomas Talhelm, a social psychologist with no background in engineering or air pollution, realized that getting access to clean air is actually much simpler, cheaper, and more efficient than the big businesses let on. 

Since then, Smart Air has sold some 50,000 units around the world and reached more than 6,000 people in ten different countries via their education workshops and seminars.

Bringing to market an air purifier that would be both highly effective and stylish, "something you would actually like to have in your home," was the next logical step for chief engineer and product lead Paddy Robertson. The Sqair, which is the result of some three years of testing and prototyping will retail for USD 95 and can clean the air of a 40sqm space in less than half an hour. According to Robertson, an aerospace engineer who and was able to apply his experience in fluid dynamics to the unit design, this makes it 30 percent more cost-effective than any other model on the market. 

While the Sqair is much sleeker than its DIY, and function-over-form siblings such as the Cannon and Blast models, the underlying principles are the same: "All air purifiers are just a HEPA filter and a fan. That's it." Robertson says that while other companies add elements like UV lights, ionizers, connected apps, carbon filters, and high-tech displays to their models, these are often unnecessary, and more about increasing the price than cleaning the air. The technology used in HEPA filters has not changed in over seven decades, and a fan is, well, a fan. Stripping the purifier back to its most basic elements, and maximizing its effectiveness (even the stylish European beech legs have an ulterior motive, acting as vibration dampeners and cut down on noise) has allowed the company to keep their prices extremely low, up to 10 times cheaper than other models on the market. 

For now, the challenge is bringing the prototype to production. The Kickstarter campaign is an "all or nothing" meaning that if the monetary goal is not reached in the required time, the product will not be made. Robertson says that in the event of this, they will have to assess their options, but private investment will not be one of them, saying, "We want to stay independent and true to our mission, we're worried that investors would care about one thing only: money." 

Thankfully it appears that their mission is finding an audience. In the 48 hours since the campaign launched, backers from near (China, Thailand, Pakistan, and India) and far (New Zealand, the Netherlands, Australia, and the USA) have already pledged over USD 10,000, half of the USD 20,385 goal.

The biggest problem the team is facing right now is shipping costs, which for some countries is double the cost of the actual unit, so they are working on creating local distribution units in strategic points around the world to tackle the problem. They are also investigating 'Robin Hood'-style price structures, such as taking some of the margins from their higher priced models to subsidize and lower the cost of their simplest clean air machines.

For now, Smart Air have their work cut out for them. And for the future?

"If in ten years time there is no more air pollution and no more need for air purifiers, we'll close down, and go on to the next thing," says Robertson, adding, "there are plenty of problems in the world that need solving,"

The Sqair Kickstarter campaign runs until Friday, Jul 5. Check it out here.

READ: Does Turning on the AC Bring Polluted Air Indoors?

Images courtesy of Smart Air, Anna Pellegrin Hartley

Will Beer Boom be a boon for Sanlitun? Or will it go bust? Such questions are sure to reverberate in your mind as you stop by the recently opened Gongti burger and craft beer joint.

You can’t deny that this newbie has personality to spare. The owners have strived for a '50s diner vibe with puffy peppermint striped booths and stools, checkered tile floors, LPs and vintage Coca Cola signs on the walls, and balloons aplenty. 

So, the setup is cute. But it’s also fairly tacky when compared to the retro stylings of fellow newcomers (and awkwardly named) diner 18cm Champion Mountain. And don’t even get me started on the garish lighting. Unfortunately just about every restaurant on this Gongti strip of old and unkempt buildings are pretty dingy, and even the strip's massively popular spots like Gung Ho! rely entirely on their wares to bring in customers. 

Vowing not to judge a book by its cover, we ordered Beer Boom's classic burger and hoped for the best. Thankfully, it exceeded expectations thanks to a tender, juicy, and smoky Australian beef patty, gooey mozzarella, and fluffy buns. Nice and compact, the RMB 45 price tag suits its size and simplicity. It won’t win the Burger Cup by any means, but it’ll satisfy your beef hankering.

The other offerings get a bit Power Rangers, with the avocado and bacon burger (RMB 65) outfitted with green buns to match its smashed avo. Likewise, the Black Warrior and Pink Girl (both RMB 55) also rock buns that reflect their names; likely a fun and playful attempt to capture the KOL-Instagrammer set, with their insatiable appetite for unnaturally colored foods. 

The menu is rounded out with RMB 30 french fries, RMB 35 cheese puffs, RMB 35 onion rings, and RMB 40 chicken wings, though that all looks a bit limited when compared to more established fast food spots in the area.

When it comes to beverages, Beer Boom's Hops Bomber IPA (RMB 45) is both reasonably priced and has a true-to-its-name hoppiness. Their Moo Moo Milk Stout (also RMB 45) is tart and hearty, but quite straightforward compared to the more memorable vanilla stouts from the usual suspect big brewers across town. The brew also doesn't match the quality of the food, but it’s certainly more drinkable than some of the poorly thought out (or sometimes downright flat) beer we've had at more established local Chinese craft breweries like NBeer and Panda.

READ: Panda Brew Finally Looks Set to Shake its Tired Reputation With New CBD Location

Even though Beer Boom isn’t in the same league as many of our fast food and craft suds favorites, it’s off to a promising start. There's also no reason why that potential can't be fully realized if they spiff up the decor, bring a little more creativity to the taps, and add more sides to match their mouthwateringly good classic burger.

Beer Boom
Daily 6pm-1am. 2 Gongti East Road, Chaoyang District (159 0136 7930)
朝阳区工体东路2号

Early Bird Tickets (Complete With Sweet Swag) Now on Sale for 9th Beijing Burger Festival!

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
Instagram: mullin.kyle

Photos: Kyle Mullin

Whether you're a seasoned performer or just looking to expand your nascent talents, there are plenty of opportunities to hone your singing/public speaking/party trick chops in front of entertainment-hungry Beijing audiences. Below, we've rounded up the city's best open mic nights from a variety of neighborhoods across town.

Paddy O'Shea's
Paddy O'Shea's open mic night has earned the reputation of being one of Beijing's biggest hubs for aspiring performers. This evening of festivities is open to musicians of all varieties, from amateurs to seasoned professionals or even bands looking to experiment. The Dongzhimen pub also has themed evenings that vary every week, as well as a reliably lively crowd. In their own words, Paddy's team says: "We believe the crowd is an integral part of improving an artist's performances, so we try to involve them in the experience."

When: Thursdays, 8.30pm- late
The format: Every act can play three songs, with the added bonus of a free beer and even a free shot if you perform the theme song of the week.
What’s available: Acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, microphoned drum kit, two amplifiers (for both bass and electric), DI system, keyboard, cajon, tambourines, and three microphones. Performers are also welcome to bring their own instruments.

Lush
Reportedly the first open mic night in town, Lush (also pictured at top) offers an opportunity for students and non-students alike a piece of the limelight. Whether your bag is music, poetry, stand-up comedy, or something more offbeat, the Wudaokou bar invites you to step up and show the audience what you've got. The bar's vibrant atmosphere encourages even the most novice of performers and the venue also hosts jams, which are organized as a post open mic festivity.

When: Every Thursday, 9pm-midnight
The perks: Performers are limited to three songs and receive one free beer.
What’s available: Guitar, keyboard, drum kit, and two microphones.

Soi Baochao
Located at the north end of Baochao Hutong, Soi Baochao is an underground-leaning bar that caters to an eclectic array of musicians. Their open mic is open to any act and boasts a more professionally configured sound system than most of the venues on this list. Soi Baochao's intimate vibe also makes it a good place to experiment with new material or jam with friends.

When: Every Wednesday nights, 9pm-1am
The perks: Performers are limited to three songs and receive one free beer.
What’s available: Musicians can use the house guitar, bass, keyboard, drum set, and two microphones.

Caravan
Caravan's open mic night has run for three years now and supports long-term gigging for returning musicians as well as anyone simply looking for creative outlook to express themselves. This diverse evening offers performance opportunities for musicians, comedians, poets, and storytellers of all skill and experience levels.

When: Sunday, 9pm-late
The perks: Performers get complimentary drinks as well as extra goodies depending on the night’s theme.
What’s available: Instruments are available for a live house performance, plus a guitar, bass, drumkit, ukulele, and a keyboard on occasion.

Spittoon – Various locations
Based in Beijing, Chengdu, and Gothenburg, Sweden, Spittoon is more than just a literary magazine, it’s a literary community. Along with its two publications, the Spittoon Literary Magazine and China Urban Expression (CUE), the growing crew holds four regular monthly events, including a book club and a poetry slam night. Spittoon therefore caters to anyone who has ever picked up book as well as literary enthusiasts, poets, authors, and avid readers.

When:

• Spittoon Book Club. Every first Thursday of every month, 8-10.30pm. Camera Stylo
• Spittoon Fiction. Every second Thursday of every month, 8-10.30pm. Camera Stylo
• Spittoon Slam.Every third Thursday of every month, 8-10.30pm. The Great Outdoors
• Spittoon Poetry Workshop.Every second Monday of every month, 8-10.30pm. Café Zarah
• Spittoon Poetry.Every fourth Thursday of every month, 8-10.30pm. Camera Stylo

The perks: Bilingual creative expression! Poetry nights in English with Chinese and international poetry in translation.

4corners
For an evening of approachable storytelling, 4corners is your place. Everyone from experienced storytellers to first-time participants are encouraged to learn and engage (though just being a good listener is also fine!). Every week features a different theme intended to spark good stories and good conversation. All stories are told in English and without time limits. After each story, the host asks the audience if they have any related stories that they are willing to share, giving the storytelling sessions a loose and laid-back feel perfect for raconteurs as well as people wanting to make new friends through the retelling of experiences.

When: Meet at 8pm, storytelling runs from 9-11pm
The perks: Completely free and everyone who shares a story will receive a free drink. The kitchen is open for orders until 11pm.

READ: How to Use China's Food Delivery Apps for (Hungry) Dummies

Photos: sannak.se, irishtimes.com, paddyosheasbeijing.com, lushbeijing.com, Cesar Casellas, courtesy of Great Buffalo Blues, Badr Benjelloun, courtesy of Spittoon, China Daily

What a glorious week it’s been (knock on wood)! There’s really nothing more I want to do on days like these except sit outside a music venue with a cold drink in hand, cooling off in the breeze with the other live music ruffians (and cats) before the next band kicks off. Join us.

Friday, May 24 

Silent Speech, Dan Taylor at School
Indie rock that swoons one moment and explodes the next, Silent Speech are one of Beijing’s unsung heroes – veteran rockers who have been working the scene for a solid decade. Effortlessly maneuvering from one style to another they’re a melodic, emotional wry, and instrumentally charged blend of '90s alt-rock that’s above all else, genuine and assured. They close out their nationwide tour tonight in support of their EP so expect a homecoming party like none other. Support from the highly charismatic and distinguished Dan Taylor. Read our recent interview with Silent Speech here. RMB 100

Sainkho Namtchylak (RU) at Poly Theatre 
Tuvian traditional music goes avant-garde as one of the Tuva region’s most beloved musicians – Sainkho Namtchylak – performs tonight. At 61 years old, the artist is a khoomei renegade, a female singer whose voice spans seven octaves who has since used her gift to take the traditional music of Tuva and bring it into a new era. Combining elements of avant-jazz, electronic music while referencing blues, desert rock, and more into her modern compositions, there’s a trailblazing quality to her music that is simply hypnotic. Read our recent interview with the legendary songstress here. RMB 180-580

Awake Mountains, The Sweet Escape, Mystery Guests at Yue Space
Metalcore outfit Awake Mountains, who seamlessly entwine thundering drums with post-rock interludes, emo shadings, and guttural vocals are celebrating the release of their robust debut LP which finds the young band firing on all cylinders. They’ll be joined by electronicore outfit The Sweet Escape and some mystery special guests. RMB 120

Never Before, Dressed To Kill, Tractor at Temple
Stoner rock galore this evening at Temple as some of the genre’s most mischievous and prevailing characters look to terrorize patrons with some hard-hitting, deviant jams that’ll drag you across the floor. Sets from Never Before, Dressed To Kill and Tractor. Oh, what a glorious evening. FREE 

Alip & Two Girls, Drunkard, Brickleberry at DDC 
Rising folk star Alip presents his latest project, aptly titled Alip & Two Girls, which will again showcase his warm and tender folk tunes. Joining him are grunge veterans Drunkard (since 2003!) and rising dance-punk outfit Brickleberry whom I’ve been meaning to catch again. RMB 80

Vijay Iyer Trio at Blue Note 
Grammy-nominated composer-pianist Vijay Iyer described by Pitchfork as "one of the most interesting and vital young pianists in jazz today," and winner of DownBeat Magazine's Artist of the Year four times, is a bonafide superstar in the world of virtuoso piano performing. RMB 180-380

The Great Buffalo Blues at Jianghu Bar 
The electric four-piece band that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at Jianghu Bar with their unique musical style that’s unlike anything else. Expect a high-energy show that is guaranteed to keep you moving all night. FREE

Spina & Benignetti Piano Duo at La Plantation
Eleonora Spina and Michele Benignetti are two compelling, talented young musicians that come from strong and varied backgrounds as soloist and chamber musicians. Their acclaimed recording of Brahms’s complete works for two pianos was praised by audiences and critics alike – they’re the real deal. RMB 200

Mademoiselle et Son Orchestre at The Bricks
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Sanlitun for some foot-tapping fun. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. RMB 60   

Huang Ying at Omni Space
The pop singer who hit it be ten years back when she rose to prominence after her fourth-place performance in the 2009 season of the Super Girl contest, is back with a new single and the massive frenzy of fans that come with any new material. RMB 200

The Flip Side at Modernista
The Flip Side is Beijing’s only live disco band. Bring your boogie shoes and come prepared to freak out, shake your booty, get jiggy with it and celebrate good times and a weekend kick off! FREE

Bugholler, J.K.S.O at Caravan
Caravan welcomes two Shenyang bands to their digs for some splendid fun including bluegrass and folk-rock duo Bugholler and The Jhett Kirschbaum Sunshine Orchestra - a rock, blues, and punk duo. FREE 

Liu Ming, More Feel at Mogu Space
Indie synth-pop duo More Feel share, as you can imagine, their feelings over in Xizhimen alongside singer-songwriter Liu Ming. FREE

Bang Jianing, Li Jin, Lu Jianwei, Zeng Yi, Yang Bingzhen at Pink Moon
The BUA Seven guitar club whose motto is “We are abstract singers in the sense that we abstract” – get down and jiggy at Pink Moon this evening. FREE 

Saturday, May 25

Dong Zi at Caravan
One of the most influential artists in the folk scene, acclaimed Hubei singer-songwriter Dongzi welcomes the summer with a special performance at Caravan. With a voice that’s rich, direct, tainted by melancholy while not too revealing, he uses the experiences of ordinary people to influence his music and looks at life as an endless journey with friends. Expect a packed house for this one. RMB 80

Maybe Ensemble (Yan Yulong, Sheng Jie, Zhang Shouwang) at CHAO Amphitheatre 
Maybe Noise – the new avant-garde contemporary music label (made up of some of Maybe Mars most influential characters) – are back with their latest installment of experimental compositions that blur the line between improvisational and classical music. For the occasion, they’re inviting audience to get involved in the composition – first with a workshop (that’ll explain the ‘rules’) and then with a live recording session. Delightful. RMB 80

Los Crasher, Secret Guest at School 
Formed in 2010, Beijing's premiere sleazy glam rockers a la Hanoi Rocks and Motley Crue tonight descend on rock HQ for a special showcase gig – with more than a handful of tours under their belts, the gang has a special ten-year career-spanning set list to unleash, special guests, and a secret opening band. So many secrets! So many surprises! RMB 100

iimmune, Far Infinity, VU, Vast Vacant Vacation at fRUITYSPACE
Prajnasonic – the Beijing-based electronic label kickstarted by four of the scene’s more intriguing electronic artists with an affinity for cold, intricate beats showcase their sublabel Atmos – which gives its members and other musicians a chance to shake loose and burrow into new territory and genres. On the bill are label runners iimmune, Far Infinity, VU (joined by visual artist DaDazoo) and impromptu trio Vast Vacant Vacation. RMB 50

Flowers of Fire at Jianghu Bar
Dwelling in the intersection of different music genres, Flowers of Fire is a new band with an old history. The supergroup consisting of four veterans musicians from three continents, including Ajinai horse-head fiddle player Hugejiletu, fuses together their diverse and rich backgrounds and styles to create something fresh and unique – transcendent grassland music with an electronic edge and a psychedelic gloss. RMB 70

Nekroma, Gum Bleed at Temple 
Nekroma – an atmospheric carnival of sounds that blends art rock, skateboard guitar, metal doom, and synths – bring their alter-egos to Temple Bar alongside anti-establishment punk veterans Gum Bleed, who are always the kick in the ass one needs Saturday night. FREE 

Roberta Gambarini Featuring Jeb Patton at Blue Note
As part of the Mercedes-Benz Jazz Master Series, vocalist Roberta Gambarini appears at Blue Note with pianist Jeb Patton. The Italian singer is a fixture on the international jazz circuit, performing with giants of jazz at concert halls, festivals, and clubs around the world, while Patton has performed in and out of New York with a similarly long list of great names. RMB 200-400

Xiao Wang, Eluvia, Jaruco at DDC 
The ever-combustible kawaii core punk favorites Xiao Wang join country-grown fusion reggae group Eluvia and fresh-faced rockers Jaruco for some dirty fun this evening – plus, a special DJ set from soul-funk vinyl spinner Boss Cuts. RMB 80

Chen Zhi & Dreaming in the Garden at Yue Space
Wuhan-based indie folk artist who blends together Chinese aesthetics with Western technique is back with his latest release which continues the artist’s injection of indietronica and new age elements into his music. RMB 100

Scarlet Horizon at Omni Space
Beijing visual kei outfit brings its theatrical death metal to Omni Space. The band just released their latest 7-inch LP titled, of course, 7– which explores different genres and styles of modern metal elements onto deathcore, bringing visual kei outfits to a new era. RMB 120

Jess Meider x Moreno Donadel Trio at The Bricks 
One of Beijing’s best jazz vocalists, Jess Meider has spent 20 years gracing stages, festivals and music venues all over China with her amazing voice. She’ll grace the stage at The Bricks tonight alongside Moreno Donadel Trio. FREE 

Uighur Sama at Modernista 
A mixture of traditional Arabic songs and lively Spanish rumba classics, with lyrics both in English and Uyghur, Uighur Sama continue bringing the energetic sounds of Xinjiang to China's capital. FREE 

Gaojinli at Mogu Space
The Voice of China contestant brings his rustic, devastatingly beautiful voice to Mogu Space as the folk singer gives a special performance. FREE 

Shi Dong and Sun Yue at La Plantation
Another alluring piano duet recital from the skilled Shi Dong and Sun Yue, who’ll perform everything from Schubert to Arensky. RMB 200

Steve Blaque, Ariane at Pink Moon 
American artist and producer Steve Blaque, who played formerly in genre-bending rock band The Radiance, joins female singer-songwriter Ariane. FREE

Sunday, May 16 

Boys Age (JP) at Omni Space
Known as the “Japanese DIY masters” of subtle, poetic pop music, since 2011, Boys Age has been one of Japan’s most prolific indie acts. The guitar-drum duo has released a handful of records across the globe including California imprint Burger Records creating music that seamlessly weaves between "woozy synth rock, lazy Sunday folk rock, and instrumental psych burners." They’re on their own wavelength and if you’re looking to join best get to Omni Space come Sunday. RMB 160

Sourtower, Water & Light, Happy at DDC 
One of this year’s most intriguing new acts, the all-girl cold wave post-punk outfit Sourtower are back at it with a show at DDC alongside two other up and comers – hard-edged pop-punk kids Water & Light and Britpop indie rockers Happy.  

Joyce Jonathan (FR) at Mao Livehouse
French singer-songwriter Joyce Jonathan appears at Mao Livehouse on Sunday, May 26th. Her first album Sur Mes Gardes went platinum only five months after its release and she’s released several since then, including Ça Ira, which included Mandarin. So yeah – she’s one of China’s favorite clearly and she’s back for more. RMB 240

Peking Floyd, Haze Maze at DDC 
Beijing's premier Pink Floyd tribute band bring their vast and ever-increasing collection of cuts from Pink Floyd's most creative years as they join all-star ensemble alternative rockers Haze Maze to help fundraise for the short film Hutong Drifters, written and directed by Jenny Man Wu. RMB 80

Jin Jian, 2z, Young Clan, Nick Shy, Yungssaw, Mok at School 
School sneaks in some Sunday hip-hop via this ragtag team of rappers and spinners including Jin Jian, 2Z, the Young Clan, Nick Shy, Yungssaw, and Mok, who’ll each take the stage to unleash an onslaught of beats and rhymes. RMB 100

Electric Sewage, The Lightning Club, MA at Temple
Old school metal renegades Electric Sewage join indie rockers The Lightning Club plus melodic rockers MA. Nothing but rock and roll to soothe your soul. FREE 

Roberta Gambarini Featuring Jeb Patton at Blue Note
As part of the Mercedes-Benz Jazz Master Series, vocalist Roberta Gambarini appears at Blue Note with pianist Jeb Patton. The Italian singer is a fixture on the international jazz circuit, performing with giants of jazz at concert halls, festivals, and clubs around the world, while Patton has performed in and out of New York with a similarly long list of great names. RMB 200-400

Mojo Hand at Jianghu Bar
Blues supergroup Mojo Hand, made up of some of the skilled rockers of the Beijing scene, including OOC frontman Cheng Chen, bassist Wang Zheng, and guitarist Wei Wei, get a Chicago blues jam on at Jianghu Bar. FREE

Henrik Jensen Jazz Quartet at La Plantation 
Henrik Jensen's rich bass tone has worked all over the world, from Blue Note Tokyo to concert halls in Moscow while still keeping busy on the London jazz scene. RMB 200

Takeshi Sakamoto Jazz Quartet at Modernista
Jazz it up this Sunday with Japanese guitarist Satoshi Kataoka along with Nathaniel Gao on sax, Charlie Wang on bass and Satoshi Kataoka on guitar. FREE

Duanyuan, Chenyifeng, Lirui Hao, Zhang Tianli at Mogu Space
A finger-style jam session in Xizhimen with these classical guitar-loving freaks. FREE  

READ: 5 Bands to Watch at This Year's RYE Music Festival, May 25-26

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of event organizers

Back in November last year we brought you news of the planned opening at Beijing’s China World Shopping Mall of FAO Schwarz, the iconic New York toy store. Now, only a few months late, the store is finally due to open... and it promises to be a toy shopping heaven.

“FAO Schwarz is focused on creating a theatrical experience, where there will be many demonstrators to interact with children and parents in store,” said Sherman Hung, chief financial officer of Kidsland Group, China’s largest toy retailer and the Chinese partner to FAO Schwarz. “This is part of our exploration into providing new experiences for customers.”

This approach to shopping as entertainment is how “bricks and mortar” retailers hope to compete with the lower prices and wider choice available online. With 2,600sqm of retail space, the Beijing branch is 40 percent larger than its New York parent, and looks to be a dazzling experience for kids.

Among the treats on offer is Beijing’s very own version of the famous “floor piano,” as seen in the Tom Hanks movie Big. There are also areas dedicated to teddy bears, Lego, robots, and racing cars.

Some may wonder what a Swarovski Crystal display is doing in a kids’ toy store... or for that matter who’s going to buy the USD 25,000 crystal-studded child-sized Mercedes Benz. But it’s hard to deny that if we were kids, we would be nagging our parents to take us to FAO Schwarz.

The official opening of the store takes place on Saturday, May 25 and the company has said there will be prizes and performances all day. Parents may just have found a new way to keep their kids entertained on those high AQI weekends.

FAO Schwarz
China World Shopping Mall, Jiangguomen Waidajie, Guomao, Chaoyang District (6581 3891)
朝阳区国贸建国门外大街国贸商城

READ: "Clean Air Should Not Be a Luxury" According to Makers of the World's Most Cost-Effective Air Purifier

This article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

Images: cbsnews.com, straight.com, theringer.com

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

May 26: Sausage Block Party at Side Street
Get your shades on and gather around the grill for a block party devoted to the might Italian sausage this weekend courtesy of Side Street partners and craft sausage maker Salsicceria Italiana. Ride out the heatwave in style with cold cocktails and beer – just don't forget the sunscreen. Free. 12.15-6pm. Side Street
 

Smell

May 25: Movie Screening: Cane Toads (an Unnatural History)
Have you ever smelled the rotting carcass of a dead cane toad? No? Well, the 1988 Australian film Cane Toads: An Unnatural History is likely to be the next best thing. This Saturday night, Camera Stylo screens the cult documentary, which explores the Australian ecological disaster that is the mighty cane toad. Learn all about all the weird problems that the invasive species has caused, and how true-blue, golf-club-wielding Aussies were dealing with it back in the '80s. RMB 20. 7-9pm. Camera Stylo
 

Touch

May 24: Scavenger Hunt Day Party
Who doesn't love a good scavenger hunt? Beijing Foodies are throwing together a party tonight to commemorate the annual Scavenger Hunt day which falls on May 24. Participate alone or with a team, and do your best to win the mysterious grand prize, while enjoying 10 percent off on all drinks. 8-11pm. Free. Shangye Courtyard
 

Hear

May 24: Boiler Room DJ set
Boiler Room parties are like no other, and anyone who claims otherwise probably hasn't been to one. Tonight, Beijing's latest in the series takes to Dada and invites you to dance deep into the night to the experimental stylings of mysterious Dutch DJ Air Max ‘97. Price TBA. 10pm doors. Dada
 

See

Ongoing: Society Guidance at UCCA
This exhibition focuses on the creative trajectories of Chinese artists in the 1990s, notably Chen Shaoxiong (whose work "Street - 2" is pictured at top), Ren Jian (whose "Up to the Streets and Down to the Factories" is pictured above), Wang Jin, and their New History collective. The '90s were a transformative time for China as people slowly adapted to the new economic policies of the country's opening up. The need for adaptation and the embracing of good ol' American capitalist values are explored in this exhibition via the mediums of photography, archival materials, and installations. RMB 60. 10.30-5pm. UCCA

READ: Noise Pollution: Silent Speech, Sainkho Namtchylak, Dong Zi, Boys Age, Joyce Jonathan 

Image courtesy of the organizers and venues

Beijing Beats brings you the best in Beijing nightlife each weekend so that you can soothe the woes of a long and stressful week with some out-of-body gyrating and some experiences you'd rather forget come Monday. Check the weekend's full list of nightlife events here.
 

Friday, May 24

Timmy Trumpet
High brow this ain't. High energy it most certainly is. Australian DJ Timmy Trumpet (pictured at top) thrives on getting his audiences hyped on a mix of trance, electro house, and of course his very own trumpet. Expect big drops and energy that won't subside. RMB 120. 10pm. One Third

Air Max '97 Boiler Room DJ Set
Boiler Room is back, this time heading to Dada with a DJ set by Dutch-born, New-Zealand raised producer DJ Air Max ‘97. Dark, woozy, and owing a lot to the greats of IDM, his off-kilter mixes and detuned vocals are likely to sit well with the Sinofuturist set and make for a suitably dark dancefloor experience. Support comes from Puzzy Stack, Negative808, and Nomercy. Price TBA. 10pm doors. Dada

Julius Steinhoff
German producer Julius Steinhoff has played many of the great clubs of the world: Panorama Bar/Berghain in Berlin, Concrete in Paris, and Output in Brooklyn, and now comes to Beijing's Zhao Dai basement space to spin his warm blend of deep house and techno. Price TBA. 10pm doors. Zhao Dai

Beach 北s Present: Fruit B & Friends
Beach 北s celebrate the return to Beijing of London’s Fruit B, her second visit to the Chinese capital following her debut in 2018. She'll be joined by Beijing collectives Club Paradise and Loreli, for "a delicious night of percussive audiovisual delight, all night long."Free. 10pm. Soi Baochao

B2B All Night Long: Juliana Lima and Kornel Szennovitz
Get Connected celebrates the arrival of summer with a special back-to-back between two Beijing-based DJs: Get Connected's founder Juliana Lima and Kornel Szennovitz. They'll be manning the decks throughout. Price TBA. 10pm doors. Lantern
 

Saturday, May 25

Sevensol
Considered one of the stars of the Leipzig techno scene, and one-half of the DJ duo Manamana, Sevensol draws in listeners with his laid-back, playful, and accomplished house tracks. Price TBA. 10pm doors. Zhao Dai

La Sala Rooftop Party
Summer heads to Cue this Saturday with a tiki-themed rooftop party that kicks off in the late afternoon. DJs on hand to keep the party rocking include Juan Granados, Eva Xu, Raffal, Nigls, Rhom Omit, Axey, El-Mar, Hamoudeh, and Juliana Lima. There are also free-flow drinks packages available from RMB 150 if you intend to settle. Free. 5pm onwards. CUE

Francois X
Parisian DJ François X's bread and butter is 4/4 beats sprinkled with sensually rich textures and eclectic samples. The result is a stable, dark, and dance-worthy exploration of techno and off-kilter house. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 10pm doors. Lantern

Goa Productions Presents: Psytrance Party
French DJ Viandoks has called upon his favorite psytrance cohorts in order to "find new talented soldiers to join him in his evil plans of world domination." What that means Saturday is that he'll be joined by China's Angry5JaR and Hong Kong's Third Wave for an evening of mind-altering sights and sounds as well as a fair share of Mortal Combat references. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance), 10pm doors. Aurora
 

Sunday, May 26

Tapes vs. Vinyl - The Ultimate Analogue Throwdown
Finally, wind down the weekend with "The Ultimate Analogue Throwdown," namely, a battle to end the age-old dispute between which is the better musical medium: tapes versus vinyl. The premise is simple: four DJs face off against each other, two wielding their plastic rectangles, the others going large with circles of shellac. All you need to do is stand around, sipping on beer, browsing the accompanying vinyl market, and nodding along to the funk, hip-hop, soul, disco, afrobeat, and psychedelic rock coming your way. Free. 2-10pm. El Nido @ The Other Place

Want a drink before you head out? Check out the all the boozy happenings in Beijing this week, right here.

Images: BBC, courtesy of the promoters