Club Culture

i-Ultra Lounge Hits the Scene

The highly anticipated new lounge from Allan Wong (of Hatsune fame) and Sebastian Noat (creative force behind Centro) opened with a champagne splashed bash on June 15. Beijing’s beautiful people now have a happening new spot to get down to nu-jazz electro thrown by local DJs and quaff signature cocktails featuring goodies like gummy bears. The spacious venue, which looks out on Chaoyang Park, is quickly becoming a must on the circuit. Details here.

Live Music

Punks on Wood

D-22, Wudaokou’s bastion of live music, is out to prove that they can host more than experimental noise by ramping up their Wednesday acoustic nights. Top of the line local rock bands have been slated for every week in July. They’ll be pulling the plug and putting their talent to the test. Check here for show details.

Transportation

Metro News

The Yonghegong metro stop is closed. It’s back in action June 29, but exits A,F and C will remain closed until July 28. The work will allow riders to transition between Line 5 (yet to be built) and Line 2 without leaving the system. Exit A at the Jianguomen has also been closed for renovation until August.

Stage

National Opera House Nears Completion

The National Opera House, that weird, egg-shaped thing across from Zhongnanhai and next to the Great Hall of the People which has drawn controversy for its questionable fengshui (some say it resembles a large mausoleum), has entered the final phase of construction and is scheduled to open sometime in July.

Bar News

Wall Comes Down

Early in June, a brick wall mysteriously appeared at the entrance to the parking lot housing Yugong Yishan, Red Ball, Nan Jie and Bus Bar. Patrons are now forced to use the far west entrance and the one behind Nan Jie. No word as to who might be behind this, but wall or no wall, the party is still going strong at these beloved Beijing venues.

Rickshaw Terrace

Beijing bar owner extraordinaire, Kris Ryan, keeps the surprises coming, this time installing a new wooden deck behind Rickshaw. People, it’s a Fourth of July barbecue that lasts all summer.

Communication

International Calling

China Mobile’s new 12593 service offers special rates on calls to the United States, South Korea and Singapore (¥1.2/min) and France, Germany, UK (¥2/min). Check: www.bmcc.com.cn