Talking Pints: NL Sports Bar, Rum, Migas, Hidden Lounge and Offside

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.

First up – are you at Home Plate BBQ right now? If not, you're missing Slow Boat Brewery's monthly session. Tonight (that's Thursday) they've got their American Pale Ale and Pacific Northwest Red Ale on tap. They're pouring until 10pm, so get your coat and scarf on and you can still make it in for a few. (If you do miss this one, Slow Boat's next event is on February 17 at Grinders.)

Just along the road from Home Plate, in the basement of the Tianyuangang Mall, look out for NL Food & Sports Bar opening on February 11. I'm pretty sure it's taking the place of Beervaria, which opened in the basement of that mall last winter, but I'll need to make a visit before I can be sure of that.

If it is indeed a straight swap, it looks like the new incarnation will be more appealing. They say they'll be equipped to show all the sport you want, from European football to American sports to the Olympics – whether they can live up to this, we'll have to wait and see. They'll also have a full pub menu (margherita pizzas from RMB 28, fries for RMB 12), tell us they'll be doing a few Dutch specialties, and will have what sounds like a decent beer selection. Here's a link to a map to get you there.

Anticipation is also building for the opening of the new bar at Migas – which will be called simply The Bar at Migas. I've been trying to write about the place for the last month, expecting some sort of "soft opening," but it appears the Migas team are sticking to their guns and not opening the doors until February 10. Of course, if you went to Migas for New Year's Eve, you're already one step ahead of the rest of us, but we'll all get in for a look on February 10, with Funk Fever laying down the sounds.

Terra's sign now reads "Cevicheria and Rum Bar," an open declaration that their impressive new rum selection is now ready for the pour. Just a few of the rums on offer (countries of origin and price per glass in brackets):
Myer's Original Dark (Jamaica, RMB 28)
Ypioca (Brazil, RMB 35)
Sagatiba Velha (Brazil, RMB 48)
Captain Morgan Private Stock (RMB 35)
Zacapa 23 years (Guatemala, RMB 78)
Gosling Family Reserve (Bermuda, RMB 98)

They've got five rum cocktails for winter, each selling at RMB 58, or you can sip them on the rocks, or have them however you want them. We stuck our heads in the door last night, planning to have a quick drink, but nobody was behind the bar, so we decided not to hang about.

Hidden Lounge, a new bar down in Shuangjing, has opened a few hundred meters west of the Melody KTV and Renaissance Capital Beijing. And guess what – it's pretty hard to find. Check their website for a decent map and full details.

Another new bar I haven't had time to check out yet is Offside, which has opened just off Nanluogu Xiang on Chaodou Hutong. I hear that it's been regularly crowded since it opened. I also hear it's tiny. I'll go soon and get some proper information for you. That's what I'm off to do now. Cheers.