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cityweekend

Chocolate and Cheese

After descending an escalator into the depths of Yabao Lu, it’s immediately clear that Chocolate, with its surfeit of chandeliers and ceiling-mounted paintings, is a knock-off of LAN Club—with some striking Russian flourishes. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When techno isn’t cranked up to 11, a live band mixes outdated Russian pop songs with covers from the Eagles’ Greatest Hits. The bathrooms, with their impeccably clean, faux-gold toilets, are guaranteed to startle the senses as much as the dance floor does. A sweet array of ¥38 cocktails are serviceable but have been known to lead to merciless hangovers. The hefty menu of Siberian delicacies, however, makes for decent bar fare. The manager tells us that “Chocolate got its name from the ambience of romance the bar creates.” The sultry blonde interpretive dancers on stage next to the band seem to know exactly what this means. Whatever Chocolate’s diverse crowd of Russian and Central Asian patrons are seeking—absinthe, Russian satellite TV or apple-flavored hookahs—this Yabao Lu pleasure palace is ready to please.

By Michael Engstrom

 

Most Recent Reviews

girls10

Hi guys! I'm not surprised people writing so much negative comments in here. I really want to say this for a long time, beware of those stupid security guards(Chinese), they're so rude!!!!!! I wish the managers let it know that, security guards and staffs are yours so unbelievable!!!!!! I can't forget what happened to me and my friends that night. We're go to the Chocolate and there was nice for a first time,and then some of my friends wanted to go Vics to dance,some of us didn't go.Then when we're in a taxi,my friend realized her phone was missing,so we're go back to Chocolate to meet my friends and ask. But Chinese security guards won't let us in!!! It's so surprising! I said we were in here so let us in! But so much argued after they're became really rude. What happened after can't imagine, they're can beat a girls !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So ,we won't go there anymore! Bye

1 day, 14 hours ago

peterrainer1965

Wow - it was like stepping into another world!

Stumbled (literally) into this place. It was so tacky, yet so interesting. We were there very late so the show was on and that was entertaining, to say the least.

 

1 week, 5 days ago

saturdayartstudio

No idea why this place has been such a hit. Sure, the fellini-esque atmosphere is amusing for about 10 minutes, and then quickly loses it's charm when you realize that the staff are surly, rude beyond belief and next to useless. The alcohol used in cocktails is without a doubt fake and will reward you with a screaming hangover, and you will be charged 10 kuai per glass if you want water, despite whatever amount you have spent on dinner and drinks. But the best reason to avoid this place like the plague? - the 14 year old baby hookers (or are they 15?? Well underage in any case) that are openly working in here. Shut it down!

3 months, 4 weeks ago

beijingprincess

oh lord, this place is perfectly tacky. Its a perfect blend of Russian-nightclub/stripperville/lookie-and-for-the-right-money-can-touchie coverband paradise. The dance floor is front and center and is usually flanked by two PTYs dancing on the stage--One Chinese, one white. The drink service is similar to any bar in Beijing, but I think what most people come here for is the more personalized table service, which consists of ladies in stripperware with 100Y bills stuffed in their thongs. We sat at one of the larger tables, which are fashion in a stadium-style set-up. Our table surrounded by a red velvet wrap around couch--it really was one of the best, most comfortable bar couches my @ss has experienced in Beijing. I think this place that you must experience in your time in Beijing... make sure to order the armageddon cocktail...it will kill whatever underperforming braincells you had laying around.

 

6 months, 3 weeks ago

mam

Last night was my first time in Chocolate. I liked dancing show, however, soon it became very vulgar because dancers started to dance in a crowd and ask for money. Later Russian pop songs and cheap electro house. Drink prices are same like in any other Russian bar at yabaolu. Poor cocktail list. So what it looks like Lan Club? - it is a still Russian club.

6 months, 3 weeks ago

yassa

The good: Drinks are cheap. The bad: Service is shocking, decor is hideous (sorry guys, it doesn't even come close to LAN), DJ spins random pop songs from 15 years ago, far too much light.

Chocolate can't really be taken seriously as a nightclub, more like the result of someone who had some cash and decided to "have a go". Good luck to the management, but its unlikely I'll be back there any time soon.

 

7 months, 2 weeks ago

andybj

their sushi is delicious. it's so nice inside.love their California roll.better price only rmb 38 for 6 huge pices.a perfect for who loves sushi.dont forget their mojito(rmb 38).

 

9 months ago

lotsalaughs

If you value your safety and personal well-being, never go to Chocolate again. After we were cheated out of a drink (we paid for 4, and they only gave us 3, and accused us of spilling the fourth when we never even laid hands on the drinks and wouldn't give us another) we got in an altercation that led to my boyfriend and I being beaten up by 4 security guard thugs who accused us of stealing the 4th drink, that we had paid for to begin with. (WTF?). We had to call the embassy emergency hotline just to make sure we we wouldn't end up in the hospital. In all, the management of Chocolate are cheaters, the security guards are thugs, and I would certainly sue the bar for the bf's concussion, my bruised wrists and knees (I was pushed down the stairs by Chinese security guards) if it were at all possible. Please please please do not ever go to Chocolate, not only for the safety concerns, but also for utter lack of service and scruples. (if you pay for 4 drinks, shouldn't you get 4 drinks, not 3?) Again, boycott this club if possible.

9 months ago