Xiu and Lan (Beijing)
Jan 1, 2011, 10:29 am
#1
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Xiu and Lan (Beijing)
I am writing to plug both of the establishments in the thread title.
Xiu was really cool when it first open, but many locals avoid it now because lots of prostitutes frequent it. While I dislike this element, the fact that the band (Maximum) is amazing makes up for it. Furthermore, the prices are borderline reasonable.
Meanwhile, Lan is one of those places that are worth experiencing at least once, in spite of the fact that it is a bit pricey. The "Jackson twins + Zero" deserve your presence because they are great guys and know their music.
I have brought FTers to both of these venues, and good times were had.
Xiu was really cool when it first open, but many locals avoid it now because lots of prostitutes frequent it. While I dislike this element, the fact that the band (Maximum) is amazing makes up for it. Furthermore, the prices are borderline reasonable.
Meanwhile, Lan is one of those places that are worth experiencing at least once, in spite of the fact that it is a bit pricey. The "Jackson twins + Zero" deserve your presence because they are great guys and know their music.
I have brought FTers to both of these venues, and good times were had.
Last edited by moondog; Jan 2, 2011 at 3:43 am
Jan 1, 2011, 11:41 am
#2
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I'm not accustomed to seeing recommendations for clubs here so nice! My first thought seeing the thread title was you were plugging a couple of local guides named Xiu and Lan that you liked!
Anyways, I've been to the former (somewhat remember that I liked it) but not the latter. Any big difference between the two or is LAN just another shiny incarnation of a typical Chinese club pandering to the nouveau riche.
Anyways, I've been to the former (somewhat remember that I liked it) but not the latter. Any big difference between the two or is LAN just another shiny incarnation of a typical Chinese club pandering to the nouveau riche.
Jan 1, 2011, 5:52 pm
#3
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I'm not accustomed to seeing recommendations for clubs here so nice! My first thought seeing the thread title was you were plugging a couple of local guides named Xiu and Lan that you liked!
Anyways, I've been to the former (somewhat remember that I liked it) but not the latter. Any big difference between the two or is LAN just another shiny incarnation of a typical Chinese club pandering to the nouveau riche.
Anyways, I've been to the former (somewhat remember that I liked it) but not the latter. Any big difference between the two or is LAN just another shiny incarnation of a typical Chinese club pandering to the nouveau riche.
Jan 1, 2011, 6:53 pm
#4
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Mar 26, 2011, 10:16 pm
#11
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I was on the verge of starting a new thread on this topic because searching for "xiu" reveals nada, and this thread was five pages deep in our (small) forum.
Anyway, since I've been doing this R Lounge thing for past several months, I haven't had many chances to visit other venues, but have made it to Xiu twice. They have a new band now (the band that launched the place), which isn't as engaging as Maximum. In fact, my first visit was a complete let down. That having been said, I could tell they were starting to get in touch with the crowd last night. Basically, if you don't mind being in the presence of numerous working girls, then Xiu is still pretty fun.
I have not been to Lan since we captured their band (JTz), but the new band lives next to the Jacksons (in Shuangjing), and I hear they are nice people.
Anyway, since I've been doing this R Lounge thing for past several months, I haven't had many chances to visit other venues, but have made it to Xiu twice. They have a new band now (the band that launched the place), which isn't as engaging as Maximum. In fact, my first visit was a complete let down. That having been said, I could tell they were starting to get in touch with the crowd last night. Basically, if you don't mind being in the presence of numerous working girls, then Xiu is still pretty fun.
I have not been to Lan since we captured their band (JTz), but the new band lives next to the Jacksons (in Shuangjing), and I hear they are nice people.
Mar 27, 2011, 8:19 pm
#12
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Eh. I fall into the category of folks not impressed by Xiu.
During the warm months the fantastic deck makes up for all of its other weaknesses, but during the other 9 months, I'm definitely not a fan. Aside from the aforementioned army of hookers, I find service here to be amongst the worst in town at high-end clubs, some of the bands I've heard have been REALLY bad, and I'd disagree that the drinks are okay priced - they're definitely on the high end, and the bartenders are pretty poorly trained... last time I went I wanted a cocktail made with whiskey, so I asked for a manhattan. Blank stare. Ok... an old fashioned. Blank stare. Jack & Coke? Yeah, he could manage that. What kind of bartender has never heard of a manhattan?
Oh yeah, and unless you know someone, are staying at the hotel, or have reservations, prepare to stand in line for at least 15minutes to 1/2hour to get in.
Anyhow... I'm amused by LAN. Its so gaudy and over the top that it's amusing. Though I've had issues there with the bartenders trying to hang onto change (a common beijing bartender move).
If you like LAN, I've always been a fan of Chocolate. Its got all the absurd tackiness of LAN, but taken to the next level. And unlike LAN, I *think* (though I'm still not sure) that the owners are in on the joke. A mohawked dwarf bouncer and gold plated urinals: nuff said.
During the warm months the fantastic deck makes up for all of its other weaknesses, but during the other 9 months, I'm definitely not a fan. Aside from the aforementioned army of hookers, I find service here to be amongst the worst in town at high-end clubs, some of the bands I've heard have been REALLY bad, and I'd disagree that the drinks are okay priced - they're definitely on the high end, and the bartenders are pretty poorly trained... last time I went I wanted a cocktail made with whiskey, so I asked for a manhattan. Blank stare. Ok... an old fashioned. Blank stare. Jack & Coke? Yeah, he could manage that. What kind of bartender has never heard of a manhattan?
Oh yeah, and unless you know someone, are staying at the hotel, or have reservations, prepare to stand in line for at least 15minutes to 1/2hour to get in.
Anyhow... I'm amused by LAN. Its so gaudy and over the top that it's amusing. Though I've had issues there with the bartenders trying to hang onto change (a common beijing bartender move).
If you like LAN, I've always been a fan of Chocolate. Its got all the absurd tackiness of LAN, but taken to the next level. And unlike LAN, I *think* (though I'm still not sure) that the owners are in on the joke. A mohawked dwarf bouncer and gold plated urinals: nuff said.
Last edited by thezippy; Mar 27, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Mar 28, 2011, 3:44 am
#14
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I went there for the very first time last week with a client, but it was kind of dead (I understand it usually doesn't fill up until later in the evening). For the forum readers that didn't get your "Kremlin" reference, Chocolate is very Russian, as are many of the other establishments in that area.
Getting back on topic, IMO all of the establishments mentioned in this thread to date warrant a look-see. Xiu seems to be the most disputed among us, but it is significantly cheaper than Lan (though still expensive), and rivals it in the Zhuangxiu category ($10 million USD is my estimate... Lan's number could be as much as twice that because it is enormous).
Getting back on topic, IMO all of the establishments mentioned in this thread to date warrant a look-see. Xiu seems to be the most disputed among us, but it is significantly cheaper than Lan (though still expensive), and rivals it in the Zhuangxiu category ($10 million USD is my estimate... Lan's number could be as much as twice that because it is enormous).