CHOCOLATE IS NOT SAFE FOR WOMEN. And the thug bouncers appear to be running a scam where they manufacture a grievance and then shake you down for money. After my experience last night, I believe that the Chaowai cops are at least looking the other way while they perpetrate this scam.

Here's what happened: my friend and i were repeatedly beaten by the security guard thugs who, similar to the complaint posted earlier, made up some complaint (that we broken a hookah) as an excuse to hit us, drag us by the arms and then shake us down for money when my friend bit one of them as he yanked her shoulder to drag her back into the club.

We are both women approximately 5'6 and 5'8; there were six hulking Chinese security guards surrounding us as one shoved and beat us. Had they elected to do worse to us, there would have been no one to stop them. As it is, we're lucky to have left the situation with bruised and with a fat lip.

The staff is a nightmare as well; they refused to give us water. (They refused to even sell my friend water after she asked to buy soda water for a friend with a medical condition, for a reason that could only assumed to have been spite.) Far more worryingly, when I demanded to be given tap water, the bouncer led me to the kitchen, where he shoved me to the ground while the staff looked on, and would have continued to assault me had the manager not finally arrived at the scene.

To some, Chocolate's seediness may add to its charm. I warn anyone who feels this way to stay sober and keep a keen eye on the staff and to avoid the bouncers at all costs. Based on our experience and other reviews, the bouncers are preying on foreigners to extort money from, and they are willing to use extreme violence to do so.