2010 Mar 05 Talking Pints: Corn vodka, weekend roundup, and crisis at Q Bar?
A month after the Rickshaw's demise (reported here), clouds appear to be gathering around another of Beijing's favorite bars of recent years. Beijing Boyce reports here on Q Bar's one-day closure earlier this week, citing tension among the management. As the sun comes up again over Beijing, plenty of us will be looking forward to occupying Q Bar's terrace for a drink - let's hope we'll get the chance. Boyce also notes that Blue Frog's terrace has reopened already. Hmm. I'm as big a fan of happy hour drinks on the Frog's terrace as anyone, but given the icy winds this morning, I'd say they're just a little too eager to start reaping the rewards.
Recently relaunched Souk Lounge is upgrading its current drink offerings. They tell us that bigger pours are on the way, along with cocktails made with KISS vodka. KISS is a China-based, foreign-owned producer of various types of vodka (made from corn) and vodka liqueurs. 
Why use it? Because, Souk's Glenn Phelan tells us, "it's 100% natural and hasn't been copied." If that's the case, I might almost be tempted to drink a raspberry-flavored vodka. By the way, more bars should follow Souk's example and offer Yanjing's black beer (RMB 35 a pint) on draft.
The weekend's highlights:
Friday: Dub with Mark Ernestus and Tikiman at White Rabbit (RMB 70, 9pm) and Berlin techno/house from Todd Bodine at Lantern (RMB 50 - includes one drink, 10pm)
Saturday: Three-time World DMC champion Kid Fresh at Punk (Free, 10pm), a punky reggae party at 2 Kolegas (RMB 40, 10pm) and free-flow cocktails for ladies at Scarlett (free, 9pm). For an alternative affair, DJ Louis T plays the tunes at Destination (10pm).
Finally, a mini foosball community is growing around monthly get-togethers of enthusiasts. This month's feast of table football takes place on Sunday afternoon at Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar. It's RMB 5 to enter, with prizes for the winners, and kick off is at 5pm. No spinning the players now!
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