Since John Harkness of Goose 'N' Duck fame moved in as the new owner of Frank's Place, we've been waiting for him to make good on his promise that the venue would be renamed Johnny Duck's. A rumor came our way the other day that the new sign was up, but Harkness tells me otherwise.

In fact, he's still mulling over what to do with the name, what with Frank's being one of the oldest names in Beijing boozing at 21 years. However, renovations are underway on the interior, with the ground floor and basement being given an overhaul. Whatever the name ends up being, the new-look Frank's/Johnny Duck's will be worth a look when it's finished later this month.

It's not really a drinking event, but I'm including it here because it sounds like it should be - the Hilton's Great Pancake Race takes place next Tuesday, March 8 at the Hilton near Sanyuanqiao. There's no charge to take part, so if you give a toss (hilarious pun there in case you didn't notice) and fancy hurling yourself around an obstacle course with a frying pan, contact the Hilton's Simon Amos on 5865 5120 or e-mail simon.amos@hilton.com.

The Syndicate's 7th Anniversary Party takes place on March 11, with British drum & bass legend LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad headlining at Yugong Yishan. Look out for our interview with Bukem on the website next week and in the Beijinger's March issue, which is out now.

This weekend's highlights include Depeche Mode's Andy Fletcher DJing at Yugong Yishan on Friday (March 4), with a live set from Israeli trance band Infected Mushroom as part of a tour run by DJ magazine. That's RMB 300 on the door and the night gets going at 9pm. We should have someone at a press conference with Fletcher on Friday, so look out for an interview over the weekend on this website.

Jazzanova's Alex Barck is DJing at Punk on Saturday night (March 5). Entry is free before 11pm and RMB 50 thereafter. Meanwhile, Ultimate Productions and Meiwenti Sound bring the reggae for their monthly party at 2 Kolegas on Saturday night (RMB 50, 10pm).

Down at The House this weekend, the Acupuncture mob have their free monthly Label Night on Friday (March 4). The crew's ELVIS.T will be launching his new album, Pathway, at the club on March 11, before embarking on a tour of China (and Seoul), and you can win a copy of ELVIS' new album in the Beijinger's March issue. Also at The House, Science of Sounds celebrate their fourth anniversary on Saturday (March 5) with J.Swarz and Wendy Wenn helping the SOS folks out behind the decks. The SOS party is RMB 50 at the door.

Also on March 4, Maison Boulud launches a new weekly champagne night in association with Perrier-Jouet. Take your credit card and splash out on bubbly at RMB 128 a glass and RMB 638 per bottle. I might, if I had any cause for celebration.

Beer Mania have been telling us about their ladies' night. Every Thursday from 8pm-midnight, they're doing free basic mixed drinks for anyone who's not a man.

We hear former Housemartin Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, may be on the way to Beijing for a date in June. Wonder if he'll play Caravan of Love.

Finally, those loveable cads over at the Global Times have decided to turn the tables on Beijing's quizmasters and grill them for a change on subjects like why there are no female quizmasters in Beijing and why they bother crafting round after round of thoughtful questions only to be heckled, mocked and harassed by people who take pub quizzing just a bit too seriously. For all the wit and wisdom of Beijing's trivia heroes - at least, the four who got out of bed to answer the questions this week - click here. For a really challenging quiz, see the Beijinger's Mastermind column, this month featuring Pat Walsh of The Green Cap in the hot seat.

News just in - Blue Frog's Shunyi location has closed.