Entertainment in China
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A
Malone's
Love it or hate it, this brisk sports bar has been fruitfully ploughing its own furrow for well over a decade. Sitting under the glow of sports TV is a crew of expat society, hunched over beers, fish and chips and serenaded by Filipino bands at weekends.
reviewed
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B
Mesh
Designed to within an inch of its life, Mesh is achingly trendy with fancy light fittings, a white bar and mesh screens separating the different areas. But it’s still fun and the bartenders know their stuff. On Thursday, it’s gay friendly.
reviewed
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Alibaba
A loyal student crowd pack onto the sofas of easy-going and scruffy Alibaba's, tucked away behind an anonymous wooden door south off Tongan Dao. Walk down Tongan Nanli (同安南里) and it's around four buildings down on the right.
reviewed
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C
Mes Amis
A slightly more stylish place in the lap of girly club land, Mes Amis has a good range of wines and a Mediterranean-style snacks list. There’s a DJ from 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Mes Amis stays open till 6am Friday and Saturday.
reviewed
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D
China Bear
The China Bear is the most popular expat pub-restaurant in Mui Wo, with a wonderful open bar facing the water. It's right by the ferry terminal, making it the perfect spot for your first and last beer in Mui Wo, and for those in between perhaps.
reviewed
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E
Joyce is Not Here
Cosy and friendly, this little cafe has something for everyone, from poetry readings and live music on Thursday to booze and Sunday brunch.
reviewed
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F
Press Club
If Sanlitun is just too sordid for you, seek out the dignified repose of the wood-panelled Press Club in the top-drawer St Regis off Ritan Lu. Its five-star bar has five-star prices, a large-screen sports TV and a lounge with a library-like ambience.
reviewed
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G
Aperitivo
This Italian-run bar attracts the Euro-crowd, thanks to the continental cafe–like vibe, lengthy wine list and small terrace shielded from the street by some artfully placed shrubs. Inside, it’s less appealing but it does offer bar food.
reviewed
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H
Hong Kong Coliseum
Big concerts are usually held at either the 12,500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum, behind the MTR station, and Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The sound is abysmal in the former, and you’d get better acoustics in an empty aircraft hanger than at the latter.
reviewed
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I
Devil’s Advocate
This pleasant pub in the thick of things is as relaxed as they come. The bar spills onto the pavement and staff are charming. ‘Devilling Hour’ (5pm to 7pm) is even cheaper than happy hour, and there are cheap drinks on Wednesday night.
reviewed
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J
3-D Art Bar
Hongmei Entertainment Street fails to deliver on its obvious ambitions, but this bar - along with Blue Frog - is a sanctuary of sorts if you're overwhelmed by the humdrum choice. Be prepared for football action on the big screen, darts and peanuts.
reviewed
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K
Brown Sugar
One of the newest faces in town, Brown Sugar is an upscale jazz-and-blues establishment set in the heart of Xīntiāndì. The focus here is on female vocalists (eg Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald covers), but there’s also a salsa band on Sundays.
reviewed
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L
Bar
For mellow 1940s and ‘50s jazz, take your smoking jacket along and sip cognac at the Peninsula’s most stylish watering hole. Your fellow tipplers will be serious business types, coutured couples and new money trying to look old (er).
reviewed
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Rainbow American Café
The most popular place among the backpacker crew, Rainbow has live music most nights, a pool table, dance floor, friendly staff and also serves food. Remember, bar and nightclub tastes change quickly, so ask around for what's hot when you're here.
reviewed
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M
Sands Macau
Run by the consortium from Vegas leading Macau’s gambling business renaissance, the Sands has a spacious atrium allowing natural lighting, together with a fantastic array of crystal chandeliers. Expect throngs of gamblers from the mainland.
reviewed
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N
Cargo
Young and fashionable Beijingers flock to this place, located in the cluster of clubs just south of the west gate of the Workers Stadium. Big-name DJs from abroad play here on a regular basis and it’s busier during the week than its rivals.
reviewed
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O
Philia
A short escalator ride from the throngs along Wyndham St, intimate Philia caters to a hip crowd of 20-something music lovers. Depending on the night, the DJ will be playing rare hip hop, jazz, edgy house, electro or indie music you can dance to.
reviewed
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P
Muse
One of the city’s hottest clubs, Muse boasts two floors, with house music downstairs and hip-hop upstairs. Don’t bother looking for a large dance floor; just squeeze into the crowd or jump up on a private table (Y3000 per night).
reviewed
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Q
Queen Elizabeth Stadium
Big concerts are usually held at either the 12,500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum, behind the MTR station, and Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The sound is abysmal in the former, and you’d get better acoustics in an empty aircraft hanger than at the latter.
reviewed
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R
Jinjiang Theatre
This combination teahouse, opera theatre and cinema is one of the more centrally located. High-standard Sìchuān opera performances are given every Saturday and/or Sunday afternoon, though the teahouse itself often has performances.
reviewed
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S
La Baie des Anges
Lovers of the grape make tracks for this cool bar a few doors down from Hutong Pizza. French-run, it has weekly wine specials, as well as a huge selection of vintages to choose from. There’s normally live music on Friday and Saturday.
reviewed
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T
Centro
A swish place featuring a glossy black bar to sit at and lots of inviting sofas to sink into, Centro attracts business types and those out to impress their dates. Cool cocktails and live jazz, as well as DJs on the weekend, keep it jumping.
reviewed
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U
Destination
Běijīng's sole gay club, Destination's coarse concrete finish wins few awards for its looks, but the crowds at weekends don't seem to mind.
reviewed
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V
Manifesto
Upstairs from Mesa restaurant is this swish, sophisticated bar. The cocktails are strong, if pricey, but it’s the large outside terrace, one of Shànghǎi’s best, that make this place. Happy hour is from 4pm to 8pm.
reviewed
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W
East End Brewery & Inn Side Out
These two related pubs flank a central covered terrace where you can while away the hours on a warm evening, sipping beers and throwing peanut shells on the ground. East End has imported microbrews.
reviewed