Karaoke al Dominicano
The Ritz Carlton's Davidoff Lounge, possibly the only premium cigar lounge in the world equipped with microphones and touch-screens, seeks to prove that karaoke is entertainment suitable for any venue. To be sure, the clientele of the Davidoff are of an exclusive type. Just to rent one of the four private rooms costs ￥2888-3888. In accordance with his or her tastes, the aficionado may choose from four aristocratically themed smoke lairs-the Zino Platinum is apt to please the swank metrosexual, while the mahogany boardroom ambience of the Winston would be preferred by your purebred English grandfather. Choose what you may, expect to swipe your credit card: While cocktails are feasible at a mere ￥80, the cheapest bottle of wine is ￥450, and the tag on their 2002 Château Lafite-Rothschild displays ￥68,880. Whether you puff on a Cohiba or a Davidoff is up to you, but the price of one puro hovers upward of ￥300. Or smoke away on a Super Star Jackie Chan Private Cigar (￥588). Word has it he is a regular; if you're lucky enough to run into him, don't forget to invite him in for a KTV duet.

Michael Engstrom

Contact: 83A Jianguo Road, China Central Place, Chaoyang. Tel: 5908-8888