Talking Pints: Rabbits, Lanterns and Christmas Cocktails

As mentioned several times on the blog recently - see our interview with co-owner Thomas Gaestadius here - White Rabbit is opening in Sanlitun in the Tongli space where the original China Doll – not the 3.3 one, which is still open – used to be. The waiting’s over, because White Rabbit reopens this weekend with a double-header of parties featuring Yang Bing, Ben Huang, Mickey Zhang and others providing the beats. Entry is free tonight and tomorrow and the doors open at 9pm. Just don’t go there at 4am like you used to.

The other big news on the electronic beat is that techno team Acupuncture are also getting set to open their own club, Lantern, in the basement of 3.3 Mall which is partly occupied by amusement arcade Hakuna Matata. Soft opening will be on Christmas Eve, official launch party on Jan 8.

If you haven’t seen our blog post on Agua already, we’re still waiting for further news on exactly what’s going on down at the Legation Quarter. The future or otherwise of the venue’s restaurants and bars – including Fez and Hex – has yet to be confirmed by anyone from Agua's management team.

When we called the reception this evening, they told us that the Agua restaurant is not taking bookings and is currently closed due to "electrical problems," but that Hex Bar is open. Events to look out for on Saturday: Arabian Night at Ginkgo (free, 8pm); Australian DJ Kronic at Bling (RMB 50, 9pm); Brazilian DJ Robix plays at Destination (RMB 80, 9.30pm); a packed weekend of sport at Paddy O'Shea's (make the most of their midnight-2am happy hour); and Bob Louison and Ariel Tang continue their Spirit It! cocktail classes with a Christmas special at Zeta Bar (RMB 150, 6.30pm).

Over and out (for the night) – a happy weekend to all reading.