2009 Mar 30 New Openings: Chocolate

Only in Beijing would you find a Russian bar dedicated to Napoleon. Clad in imperial robes, the invader of Moscow gazes from the wall as you glide down the escalator to Chocolate, a nightclub/restaurant near Yabao Lu. The bar could have been designed by the great man – a fabulous mélange of styles from the lands that he conquered, achieved with an exuberant Beijing twist (see the gold-tiled squat toilets). A lounge band plays “Strangers in the Night” while Russian Tinkerbells gyrate on a dais. Cocktails have a special allure in such an environment, and at RMB 38-48, they’re downright compelling. For eye appeal, you can’t beat the “Armageddon,” a concoction of absinthe and grenadine prepared at your table in a floorshow that climaxes with a flaming column of alcohol streaming into your glass. Then there’s the bit with the napkin: What that involves, you’ll have to discover for yourself.
Chocolate Night Club & Restaurant
Daily 7pm-7am, 19 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang District (8561 3988)
朝阳区日坛北路19号
Search for more Beijing bars by name and neighborhood or share your opinions with the rest of Beijing by adding a user review of any of the bars in our online directory of venues.
You might also be interested in :
Gao Gao Spicy Hot Pot: Cook-It-Yourself With a Taiwanese Twist

Beijing isn’t lacking for hot pot spots, so when a new one appears, even enthusiasts might ask “Why bother?” Gao Gao answers that question with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to recreating the freshest Taipei hot pot.
Fit For a King: Feast Offers a New All-You-Can-Eat Option

The first thing that strikes you about Feast is that it’s a fine-looking restaurant. Of course, nobody really comes to a place like this to enjoy the design, so it’s just as well that the all-you-can-eat offerings deliver. Mix up your own salad to ease yourself in, and try not to overindulge in the bread and cheese selection – you’re going to need every inch your stomach allows.
On the Eje: Good Beers on a Budget

With neighbors Temple and Jam already dealing in live music and cocktails respectively, Eje brings a good selection of beer to the table. The choice isn’t as large as at El Nido, but with a focus on Belgian and German brews (Paulaner, Erdinger, Maredsous, Westmalle), there’s enough quality to keep purists amused until they pass out.
Talking Pints: Little Britain Set to Open, Mother's Day Brunching and Win Tickets To Adam Beyer + James Zabiela Shows

Welcome to this week's roundup of all things drink. Beginning with news of another new opening; Little Britain is almost ready to open its doors in Lido and will be firing on all cylinders come Friday. With a food menu featuring traditional hearty British fare like fish and chips, bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes to any non-UK readers) and, of course, the great British breakfast, complemented by RMB 50 Guinness and daily happy hours, Little Britain will serve as a welcome alternative for the Lido drinking set.
Malay Day: Malaysian Cuisine at Little Nyonya

Since the term nyonya refers to the women of Chinese communities in Malaysia and Singapore, pretend with me for a second that Little Nyonya, the restaurant, is an actual woman. She’d be the kind of gal you could take home to meet your mom: reliable and demure, not the most glamorous, but someone you can settle down with. She does, after all, know how to cook.



