A management dispute on Tuesday between Fubar's original partners Chad Lager and Kevin Zhang got so bad that the cops showed up at the popular Gongti bar to resolve the problem (over comping drinks, apparently). According to Beijing Boyce, there's been a larger "management rift" that's led (depending on who you talk to) to Lager being kicked out--or according to Zhang, quitting.
"The reason Zhang and Lager got together in the first place was because each provided something the other didn’t — Zhang brought financing and an ability to deal with property management while Lager oversaw design of everything from bar to menu, sourcing staff and alcohol, and daily management," wrote Boyce on his blog.
We hear all too many stories of Chinese-Western business partners falling out and forcing their awesome watering holes/eateries to shut down. Frankly, it sucks that Fubar may become the next victim.
Will both sides work something out for the good of the nightlife scene? We hope so--we need you Fubar. We need your unique drinks, your low-key atmosphere (needed in Gongti) and your fat-bellied Buddhas.
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It's a shame,correct.But who was the owner there? Seems Lager only acted as Manager without any financial commitment. Grinders cant compete with Fubar,cheaply done and poorly managed. Lager might have time now to sort out Grinders.
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Mannnnn, I hope this gets worked out soon! There isn't really anywhere quite like Fubar...
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NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! This is the worst Beijing nightlife news I've ever heard -- like worse than Brown's closing. Fubar is my favorite bar in Beijing, but I know from experience that bars get really bad really quickly when Chad leaves them. And Chad himself is a huge part of the appeal here, as well as the fantastic location (I'm sorry, but I'm not going to switch over to Grinder's as my go-to bar now). Crap crap crap. Please tell me this is all going to be better and go back to normal soon!!!