Shanghai’s Famed Bar Rouge Team Opening Beijing Sister Venue InfraRouge at Taikooli North, Aug 17

The team behind one of Shanghai’s finest nightclubs is opening a hotly anticipated new venue in Beijing.

Yes, Bar Rouge’s reputation precedes itself, considering the throngs of sharply dressed socialites who have flocked there since it opened on The Bund in 2004. It has gone on to win numerous awards from both English-language and Chinese media in the Pearl City, in part because of its snazzy ambiance but also because of Bar Rouge’s nods to Shanghai’s long-standing French expatriate community.  That has also helped Bar Rouge become a mainstay on Trip Advisor and other travel outlets, meaning plenty of tourists stop by as well. Smart Shanghai, for instance, calls Bar Rouge “A must-visit for out-of-towners sampling the high end of Shanghai nightlife.”

Considering that esteemed history, it’s surprising that the Bar Rouge team was able to quietly open a Beijing sister venue, InfraRouge, at Taikooli North late last month. Thus far, they’ve only entertained a very exclusive set of VIP guests, resulting in the venue being fully booked during the limited hours of its ongoing soft opening. Thankfully, that’ll all end on Aug 17 (time of day TBD), when InfraRouge will host its official grand opening, with longer hours that can accommodate the eager masses.

When you finally do get a chance to stop by, cocktails like the summery Herbes and Spritz (pictured above) and the Black Shell (below) will be on offer, letting you get tipsy in style just like at the original Bar Rouge. Those drinks drew praise from World’s Best Bars, which raved: “Thanks to its perfectly mixed cocktails (the peppered vodkas deserve honorable mention), Bar Rouge is the place to see and to be seen.”

I recently popped my head in the door (more like I made my way up the staircase at the Taikooli North building after visiting the Y Restaurant one floor below it) and was impressed by InfraRouge’s spacious, minimalist, yet invitingly bright ambiance. Granted, the view couldn’t compare to Bar Rouge’s Bund panorama, but its carefully chosen angle overlooking Sanlitun impressed nonetheless, especially as more and more lights blink to life nearby in what was once a very sleep haunt – a change that InfraRouge, Restaurant Y, Bad Farmer, Cinker Pictures, and other hot venues are finally bringing about.

What’s more: InfraRouge will not only be an elegant nightclub and cocktail haven like its predecessor, but also a gastro-lounge with a range of fine dining fare. Details on that are scant for now, but we’ll have more information when we stop by for an exclusive sneak peek closer to the Aug 17 grand opening. That hush-hush approach is likely only building more anticipation for what is already shaping up to be a red-hot new venue.

InfraRouge
Hours: TBD after Aug 17 grand opening. 3/F, N8 Taikoo Li North, Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang
朝阳区三里屯太古里北区N8楼3/F

Photos: InfraRouge