All Dolled Up
Though many of Beijing's clubs are designed to look like the set of a sci-fi film, few pull off the aesthetic with as much artistry and amusement as ChinaDoll. Every inch of the sprawling Sanlitun space—from the sculptural cherub light fixtures to the wall-size photo transparencies of shimmering sultry forms—is custom designed. The only clue you're not on the set of a Tsui Hark remake of Barbarella are the labels on the Tsingdao bottles. Creative Director (and public face of ChinaDoll) Ai Wan collaborated with a number of established artists and designers to ensure that not one of the club's glittery, vinyl chairs is the same. The diverse clientele delights in sharing opinions on such details: the red feather lampshade, the Disney-on-Ice waitress uniforms, the titillating, slow-motion art videos. The club's serviceable cocktails (¥55-75), stellar shooters (¥45) and house DJ Thome Tomato's tech and breakbeat can keep the clubbers happy until Sunday's sunrise. ChinaDoll promises to take us into a fantasy, and in that respect it delivers in every way.

Blake Stone-Banks

Tel: 5136-5872, 158-1120-0839
Add: 33 Sanlitun Bar Street, 5/F, 3.3 Building. 三里屯酒吧街33号三.三大厦四层露台