Shaken not stirred...

Corbett | April 26, 2006 8:17 PM

We met up with some friends the other night. Beijing has changed so fast my head is still spinning a bit. I saw this happen a few years ago in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and now Beijing is like all of them plus Tokyo plus Taipei plus Southern California (if you can believe that). Just go out to one of the villa areas on the way to the airport. Suburbs.

After meetings all day, then some tasty kebobs and greek feta salad at Souk's in Chaoyang Park across from our office, we hooked up with Tif and Steve, both old school hard drinking journalists, and we began commensing in what old school hard drinking journalists do. Party.

I knew things were going good when we walked into a Mongolian bar and there was a Romulan looking guy in a cool hat with these boots that had a curlie cue at the toes. He played some kind of Mongolian/Vulcan cello with lots of reverb, backed on keyboards by a tough biker looking Mongol dude who could definitely kick your ass. Then a Mongolian lounge singer sang a couple of Sade songs (Sade stands the test of time everywhere). A couple of tall Carlsbergs later Steve suggested a hidden bar around the corner. All red, and about the size of a boxcar, this minibar had four bartenders standing behind the bar serving up twenty different martinis. I ordered a Chocatino Martini (which were all doubles), and I sipped my first Chinese Martini. Steve turns out to be a drummer, so we got cozy, and then David Sanborn comes up on the CD player. "Comin' Home Baby" grooves out, and I'm thinking this is a pretty good omen. Another martini later, I hear "Watermelon Man" and start wondering if they are playing my whole set list. By the third martini the music is pretty blurry, and we all roll back home. I was very quiet all the way back home keeping the People's Party chocolate from revolting.

Category: Mr. Asia

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