What's going on this week in Bars & Clubs? There are openings, dragons, qipaos, tattoos, love, hate, comedy and quizzes. Not all in the same bar, unfortunately.

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz Beijing’s barkeeps on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist.

CONTESTANT: Mike Bromley, 12SQM
SPECIALIST SUBJECT: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

No matter how doggedly he maintains his ignorance of the finer points of the drinks industry, Jim “Beijing” Boyce knows Beijing’s bar scene better than most. We quizzed the bar blogger, consumer champion and wine challenge organizer over a drink or two.

Although we’re big fans of the “and Grille” part of Union Bar and Grille, there’s nothing we like more than a seat at the bar, a happy hour pint and a handful of their complimentary salty chips. Led by the ever-affable Andy Bright, Union’s staff is also top-notch.

A few hours later than normal – lots going on this week – here's your weekly check-in on what's making the news in Beijing's bars.

If Twilo existed in a cartoon, it would probably be hidden inside a seemingly innocuous tree trunk. As with Haze, a few meters away, an extremely steep staircase leads you to the basement dance floor – although at Twilo you emerge awkwardly behind the DJ booth. At least it looks good, thanks to a futuristic, contoured design.

Accessed via struggling Italian restaurant Abella, Doron falls short of the impressive standards set by other Japanese bars. The shabby, threadbare carpeted stairs up to the bar inspire little confidence, and the decor does nothing to alleviate those doubts. The space is split between a lounge with deep couches, and a fully stocked but uninspiring bar area whose design appears inspired by a back-alley pool hall.

When I go out with friends on a Friday night, I want a good bar with cheap drinks and plenty of space to dance. This new club answers on both counts. Inheriting the space most recently used by the short-lived Mango Club, Wu is all black and red decor, with raw, unplastered walls. (Designer Paul Gelinas also worked on The Bridge Cafe and owns Guozijian store Lost & Found.)

The first thing you should understand about The Drive-Thru is that it’s not a bar. They do have a great selection of beers, starting with Kingfisher at RMB 19, but it’s intended primarily for you to take home. There are a few seats, though, and you’re welcome to stay for a beer. Owner Ryan Johnston (founder of The Brick) expects to have Slow Boat Brewery’s beers on tap soon, and wants to operate a tasting bar offering a regularly rotated lineup of draft brews.

You’ll no doubt have seen the news on Beijing Boyce that there’s trouble spilling over the Buddha mugs at Fubar. We’re not in the habit of sensationalizing things but this seems legitimate; Boyce was down there when things became so acrimonious between the co-owners that the police were involved. Since then it's been confirmed that Chad is no longer running Fubar's daily operations and that both Ken and Nick have left their roles at the bar.