What's on

Brazillian Carnival Night at Club Absent. Put on your loudest clothes and samba on down on to this event which boasts Dj's, live music, samba performances and much much more. Tickets are 50 yuan on the door, 100 each for a table of 4 or 300 each for a VIP table of 10 - 15 people.

9:30pm til late, 12 Yabaolu, Chaoyang, 51 20 6758.

Quiz Night Come and test your brain power at the Brewery Tap Pub, every Wednesday night. 20% off all tap beers.

8:00pm, S111A, South Region of Blue Castle Complex, No.3 West Dawang Rd, Chaoyang, 85999092, 13911255440

St Patricks Day celebration. Time to celebrate all that's good about the Emerald Isle, as people from the home country and plastic paddies alike party at the Den on march 17th. Guinness 30 yuan all night long, plus Irish food and music.

The Den (see listings)

Long Live The 80s and 90s. Get your glad rags on and head out to Dashanzi for two decades' worth of cheese and hits.

Free admission.

Friday March 17, 10:00pm - 3:00am, VIBES, 798 Art Factory 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Dashanzi, Chaoyang District (just north of Beijing Tokyo Art Gallery).

Bars

Banana Three floors of glass walled seating surround a packed dancefloor, tended by some of the world's top DJs. It is big, bold and brash, with a mammoth sound system you could shake a filling at. Weekdays 8:30pm-4:30am; weekends 8:30pm-5am. Scitech Hotel, 22 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 6528-3636. , 22

Bar Blu Perched atop Tongli studios, features private booths, a pool table and a cool roof terrace. Mon-Thu 5pm-late; Fri&Sat 11am-4am; Sun 11am-late. 4/F Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. 6417-4124).4

Bed Tapas & Bar

Surprisingly large, with a maze of rooms offering sprawls of cushions and bed-type booths, providing a perfect Saturday night-in feel for those preferring a low-key evening. Tapas and Asian food served. Mon-Tue 4pm-late; Wed-Sun 12pm-late. 17 Zhangwang Hutong, Xicheng District. 8400-1554. , 17

The Brewery Tap Far from the madding crowed, English and Belgian beers served in comfy surroundings. Mon-Fri 5pm-1am; Sat-Sun 3pm-1am. S111A, Blue Castle International Apartment, 3 West Dawang Lu, Chaoyang District. 8599-9092. , 3(S111A, )

Browns

Browns has stormed the Beijing bar scene and occupied the middle ground that was previously no man's land. It impresses on entry, with its high ceilings, pictured and plasma screened walls and a huge "wine tower" holding centre stage, that will surely become a landmark of the post Sanlitun Nanjie bar scene. 2am till late. 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. 6591-2717. 4

Buddha Bar 1 Opposite the Moscow restaurant, acid jazz, trip-hop and kitsch go hand in hand. Daily 11am-1am. 2 Yinding Qiao, Shichahai, (facing Kaorouji Restaurant), Xicheng District. 6617-9488. 1, 2

Centro Style tops the menu at bar. Its hotel-bar feel by day gives way to a comfortable, warm atmosphere at night. Cosy sofas set away from the venue's centrepiece, an Indonesian bar counter with inset lights, provide the perfect atmosphere. Daily. The Kerry Centre Hotel

Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District. 65618833 ext 42.

Champagne Bar With its vibrant ambience the bar is the place to be on Wangfujing Avenue for Champagne, fine wines, top end cigars and great music. Daily 5pm - 2am. Crowne Plaza Beijing, 48 Wangfujing Avenue, Dongcheng District. 65133388-5. 48

Cheers Caf Despite the name, the feeling inside is definitely Latin and not Bostonian. There's live music Wednesday to Sunday, with flamenco on Fridays and flamenco fusion on Saturdays. It is another Sanlitun South survivor that is picking up a lot of trade as people pass by on the stairs to Bar Blu. 2nd. Floor Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District. 13520446062.

Chimo Cafe

Located in Lido area, the shop creates a quiet and confortable enviroment for business chats, friend gatherings as well as romantic talks. Visitors may browse through the shop's unique collection of books while sipping coffee or having western foods served. Daily. Rm 101 Parkview Centre, 5 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. 8456-7856. 5101

Club D D is short for Du Ye (), thus the Club promises to relieve its patrons from lonely nights. Given its namesake, this new venue aims to cure loneliness by featuring international guests as Caf Del MarDJ James, from Ibiza as well as hosting buy-one-get-one-free drink specials every Friday night. B1, Donghuan International Plaza, 18 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chanoyang District. 8775-1198. , 18B1

Club Football Centre Football both European and American style in real pub surroundings, good food too. Daily 11am-midnight. Red House Hotel, 10 Chunxiu Lu, Chaoyang District. 6416-7786. , 10

Club Re V Euro dcor, sofas and booths with cocktails. Daily 7pm-late. Building 88, Workers Stadium, west gate, Chaoyang District. 6553-1266.88, 16,

Club Top Nice layout, no hip-hop, but still struggling for custom, situated as it is next to many other well frequented clubs. Sun-Thu 4pm-3am, Thu-Sat 4pm-6am. 4/F Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Beilu (next to Bar Blu), Chaoyang District. 6413 1019. 4, Bar Blu

The Den Sport - the staple of which is football, rugby and cricket - is subtly piped through in such a manner so as not to be intrusive, as large groups of friends meet for cheap eats, while individuals read or simply people watch. This is the beauty of The Den. Dancefloor upstairs. Daily 24 hours. 4 Gongti Donglu, (next to City Hotel main entrance), Chaoyang District. 6592-6290. , 4,

Durty Nellie's Irish bar with obligatory Guinness and stew. Pool, darts and occasional live music. Daily 10am-1:30am. 1/B Liangmaqiao Flower Market, Chaoyang District. 6593-5050. , 1/B

High Society Take in some jazz whilst choosing from a selection of European wines. Good menu. Daily 11am-2am. 55 Xingfu Zhongjie (1/F Jiezuo Dasha), Chaoyang District. 6417-9780. , 55,

Hometown Bar A Mongolian bar for Mongolian people, but all are a welcome as songs from the grasslands are belted out nightly. Daily 9:30am-late. 30 Huangsi Dajie (above the Caoyuan Feiyangfu Mongolian Restaurant), Xicheng District. 6206-4256. , 30()

Hutong Bar Open layout provides a refreshing change from the intensity of its Houhai neighbors. Daily 2pm-2am. 8 Houhai Nanyan, Xicheng District. 6615-8691. , 8

Inner Affair A moneyed crowd groove on down beneath a giant golden Buddha. Drinks attentively chilled and served. Toilets in adjacent office blockodd. Daily 6:30pm-late. 6 Xiliujie, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District. 8454-0899. 6()

Goose and Duck Pub A mainly expat crowd in this pub cum sportsbar venue. Nice beer and great food served in spacious seating area. Daily 24 hours. 1 Bihuju Nanlu, Chaoyang Park west gate, Chaoyang District. 6538-1691. , 1

John Bull Pub Trad English fodder like Yorkshire pud and roast beef served up in authentic surroundings. Quiz on Tuesdays. Daily 11am-midnight. 44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. 6532-5905. , 44()

La-Signe Gourmet Club

Gold is the colour at the club which obviously tries to live up to its Chinese name, which means "luxury and colour."

The food is French style. Daily 7pm-2am. B2 HQ Ritz Hotel, A 8 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. 6581-6089. 8B2

Link Claims to be the highest bar in the city. Good views on clear days and nights. Daily 10pm-2am. Building A, 26th Floor, Jianwai Soho, Chaoyang District. A26

Lush Student favourite Lush, provides a daytime study sanctuary and crowded beered-up evenings. Good food, well managed but the waitresses seem to be deaf during the day. Daily 24 hours. 2/F Building 1, Huaqing Jiayuan, Chengfu Lu, (across from the Wudaokou light-rail station), Haidian District. 1()

Maggie's Bar A favourite for Mongolian girls and German businessmen, the new venue is good fun, whatever your mission. Sun-Wed 7:30pm-4:30am; Thu-Sat 7:30pm-5am. South Gate of Ritan Park, Chaoyang District (8562 8142/8143). ,

Mix Guest foreign DJs and a hip-hop crowd in this large light and airy space. Daily 8pm-late. Inside Workers' Stadium north gate, Chaoyang District. 6530-2889.

Nanjie Rack'em Pack'em and Stack'em: shots 100RMB for 12. Easy atmosphere, young crowd and pizza to die for. Daily 5pm-late. Gongti Beilu (opposite the Workers Stadium north gate, to the right of the parking lot gate) Chaoyang District. 6413-0963. , (, )

Nashville The Sanlitun South survivor now comes with a "deep South" feel second floor, decked out with tan leather chairs, dark wood panelling and a flimsy looking humidor with a wide selection of Cubans and co, should you wish to chug on a big fat one. Daily,11am-3am, Haoyun Jie, 29 Zaoying Lu, Chaoyang District. 5867-0298. ,29

No Name Bar The original kid on the block heralding the start of the Houhai circus. Easy atmosphere and nice toilets. Daily Noon-2am. 3 Qianhai Dongyan, (next to Kaorouji Restaurant), Xicheng District. 6401-8541. , 3

On/Off It's shabby street sign belies the interior of this bar/restaurant and internet caf. Live music events with a queer ambience some nights. Daily 7:30pm-2am. Lianbao Apartments, 5 Xingfu Yicun Xili, Chaoyang District. 6415-8083. , 5

Pass By Bar Good place to take a girl, or a guy, Pass By has an intimate atmosphere and a comprehensive Italian menu. Great for listening to guys' cheesy chat lines. Was well known for its (often inaccessible and unorganised) book collection until Bookworm came along and stole the show. Daily 9am-2am. 108 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District. 8403-8004. , 108

The Pavillion Pavillion is proving a hit with its 90 wine cellar, 40 scotches, range of cigars, Guinness and leather sofas. Good place for networking. Reasonable menu. Mon-Fri 5pm-late, Sat-Sun 10am-late. Opposite the west gate of the Workers' Stadium, Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. 6507-2617. ()

Poachers Inn With the same tunes every week, Poachers takes full advantage of the transient population but does it well. A young local and expat student favourite. Non-stop dancing. Daily 8pm-late. 43 Bei Sanlitun Lu Chaoyang District. 6417-2632 ext 8506. , 43

The Pomegranate Small menus are often the sign of good food and so it is here. Situated in an old hutong, sport is the focus with some nice artwork on the walls. Daily 11am-midnight. 19 Kaifa Lu, Xibaixinzhuang, Houshayu, Shunyi District. 8046-2558. , 19

Propaganda The king of clubs in Wudaokou, Propaganda caters for a young international crowd in a large, tightly packed venue. Daily 8pm-4am. 100 metres north of the east gate of Huaqing Jiayuan, Wudaokou, Haidian District. 13691376777. 100

Rock & Roll A veteran of the Beijing night scene, Rock & Roll is a fascinating place to while away an hour or two, regardless of age.Young Beijingers have it to techno while an interesting array of night creatures prowl the periphery. Daily 8:30pm-5am. Yard 4, Gongti Beilu (behind The Loft), Chaoyang District. 6592-9856.

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Salsa Carib A pirate theme and a boat protruding from the outside, Salsa Caribe dances to a Latin beat. Women - expect to be hit on. Daily 7:30pm-late. 4 Gongti Beilu (across from the Loft) Chaoyang District. 6507-7821.

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Stone Boat Bar Who would have thought this would float? A perfect sanctuary from city life situated in Ritan Park. Take lots of mozzy repellent in the summer. Daily 10am-late. Lakeside, southwest corner of Ritan Park, Chaoyang District. 6501-9986. , ,

Suzie Wong

Taking its inspiration from a 1930s opium den, it offers dimly lit curtained alcoves along with spacious main seating areas, ornately furnished with antique Chinese furniture and hanging lanterns. While the dance floor is a bit on the small size, sturdy tables provide makeshift podiums.

1A South Nongzhanguan Lu, Chaoyang Park West Gate. 6593-6049.

Tango This massive club, divided into three areas, is replete with another - Mango - on top and a KTV in the basement. The venue provides something to suit all tastes. Daily 24 hours. South gate of Ditan Park, (next to Jindingxuan Restaurant), Dongcheng District. 6428-2288. , ()

Tianchang Club Home to rocker, Zang Tianshuo and his band, the club also hosts other local bands. Beer and darts provide the remainder of activities. Daily 8:30pm-late. 200 metres north of Changdongqiao, beside Shunfeng Restaurant, Chaoyang District. 6595-1899. , 200,(2)

Vics A young, mostly expat crowd getting it down to the wee hours to a mix of hip-hop, funk, soul and reggae. Daily 8:30pm-late. Inside Workers' Stadium north gate, Chaoyang District. 6593-6215. ,

West Wing Bar DVD booths and a punchbag provide the distractions in this bar cum teahouse. Daily 2pm-2am. Inside the west end of the Deshengmen Tower, Xicheng District. 8208-2836. ,

What? Bar The What? name has long been synonymous with live music in Beijing. The Forbidden City venue, though cramped, is a Mecca for punk bands and their devotees. The new Yuandadu location is increasingly popular too. Daily 2pm-late. 1)72 Beichang Jie (just north of the west gate of the Forbidden City), Xicheng District. 2) West Yuandadu Bar Street, Chaoyang District. 13910209249. ? , 1)72(). 2)2.

(China Daily 03/17/2006 page10)