Nightlife in Beijing.

Where to start. When we got finished with the fiasco that was the Beijing West Train Station and getting moved to another hotel, we were ready for a Tsingtao. There was conviently a Nightclub right across the street from our hotel. This was hugly frustrating. It was a Hostess bar. I still find this whole concept of a hostess bar stange and I don't understand it. No spoke even rudimentary English. When, we got there they would not let us in. It turns out you needed to be on a guest list of have a ticket. We finally figured out how to but a ticket and proceed. We finally get a beer beer by pointing. Then an attractive girl comes over and starts talking to us in Madarine. She don't know no English either so this is very frustrating. We thought we might be "on the clock". We finish our beer and leave quickly. I think we're OK. We go back and try to figure out where the western bars are. We go out, tired and frustrated and take a cab and walk a mile or so we finally find a Mexican resturat. The host speak OK Chin-glish. He tells us San Li Tun is north. He tell us to get in a cab and just say "San Li Tun". That's all you need to know. All of the Western Bars are near San Li Tun street. This street is near the embassies so they are filled with expats and some with hookers. Here are some of our favorites.

The Den: This place was by far my favorite. Only got soliced once in the three nights I was there. We did start talking to some Russian girls who turned out to be hookers, but they were picking up Asian guys. The head waitress Carol was great. Alway getting us a seat and a cold Carlsburg. She was very friendly and remembered us everynight. She spoke excellent English. The Den and Maggies were the only bars that were packed, even on the weekend.

Minder's Cafe: This place was great until I was solicited by a MALE (really!) prostitute. He became upset when I told him I wasn't gay.

Hidden Tree: Great beers on tap. I guess they have a hostel also.

Durty Nellies: We have a doller hanging up here with our names on it. Great setup, but few customers. A bit pricy.

Tanewha: Good Cheep Beer 10 RMB Bud on Saturday.

Jam House: Good crowd. cheep beer.

Nashville Cafe: Skip this one. It has a Texas Roadhouse atmosphere and one round was 100 RMB (about $12.00). I didn't travel nearly 10,000 miles to go to Texas Roadhouse.

Bus Bar: Next door to The Den. Cheep beer, but no atmosphere.