Talking Pints: Smoke at Centro, Vinopolitan and Danny Rampling

We had a few drinks in the new-look Centro the other night, particularly enjoying their Old Fashioned and Manhattan. Consultant bartender Nick has just arrived from the UK, and is doing some fantastic things behind the bar, working on a new drinks list and playing around with lots of ideas.

Using a toy called the "Smoking Gun," which burns infused wood chips and feeds the smoke into a jug via a rubber tube, Nick made us a smoke Manhattan and smoked rum Old Fashioned. both of which were pretty incredible. Neither of these are on the drinks list just yet, but look out for new drinks coming up soon. Nick also showed us a kind of drinks aerosol named the "Bartender's Mouthwash" and a device from Glenmorangie which presses blocks of ice into the ice spheres favored by many a modern-day cocktail drinker. Centro's crowd is also looking a little livelier than it was prior to the renovation, with more younger faces, though many regulars remain.

For wine drinkers, this weekend's must-not-miss event is Vinopolitan this Saturday (November 12), Hilton Beijing's annual wine and food festival. This is a huge event for industry insiders, but also presents a great opportunity for consumers and wine novices to come along and enjoy sampling from over 1,000 wines. I've learned a lot about wine at this event over the past few years (as well as learning a little on pacing myself ...), and if nothing else, it's a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Tickets are RMB 260 (includes dinner buffet) and the event is open to the public from 1-7pm.

The Hilton is also preparing for its Black Tie Charity Brawl on November 19, which will feature MMA fighters battling it out in a real ring, with ringside tables and dinner packages available from RMB 888. This is the latest in what's been a year of innovative events at the Hilton, and a rare chance for fight fans to get suited up and watch some real ringside action. Call Hilton Beijing for more information and reservations.

Big event just announced - UK dance music legend Danny Rampling is playing Punk on November 18. That'll be RMB 50 after 11pm.

Techno star Steve Bug is at Lantern on Saturday (Nov 12), while that same night Peter Kruder is back in town and playing Tango. Lantern has also just announced its biggest international visitor so far - Detroit techno king Carl Craig will be at Lantern in December.

Look out for Frost Nails to open on November 26 at Xingfu Ercun opposite April Gourmet, serving cocktails along with a variety of nail treatments.

We hear a new bar called Yu is opening in Sanlitun Soho this weekend. Not much we can say beyond that at the moment.

Another launch this weekend is Modernista at 44 Baochao Hutong. They'll have regular jazz nights and other live music, as well as Spanish-style tapas. With drinks also available just up the road at boutique hotel The Orchid, and a few decent restaurants, a little scene is emerging around Baochao.

The Green Cap quiz celebrates its first anniversary this evening (Thursday), and owner Pat is hoping for a good turnout, so if you're a fan of the Cap get down there for that.

Time for a quick commercial break. Have you voted in the Beijinger Pizza Cup yet? No? What are you waiting for? The first round of voting closes tomorrow, so you have been warned. Don't blame us if Pizza Hut wins (OK, they're not in it, but you get the idea). Cast your ballot here.

Men's health awareness campaign Movember is well under way by now, though my own attempt at a moustache is less than impressive after ten days of awareness-raising. I'm keeping on going, as are teams based around Paddy O'Shea's, Grinders, Great Leap Brewery and Mao Mao Chong. Seth Grossman at Home Plate BBQ has even been persuaded to join, shaving his beard for what he reckons to be the first time in his entire adult life. If that's not worth a charitable donation, I don't know what is. Get along to Home Plate and lend Seth some support.

A quick reminder of what the other bars are doing. As an incentive for anyone taking part in Movember (girls with fake moustaches included), Paddy's is offering double house pours for the price of a single. Grinders has specially branded Movember T-shirts on sale for RMB 100, with all the proceeds going to charity. Great Leap is offering to donate RMB 5 to charity for every glass of beer purchased by any customer taking part in Movember. Finally, Mao Mao Chong is creating a special Movember cocktail.

Finally, ever wondered how to say "six-pack" in Chinese? If you answered "yes," click here for Sinosplice's glossary of beer-related terms. Fascinating.