Results tagged “xinjiangblackbeer”

Lads, next time we recommend splurging on a six pack from Sherpa's. Or Old Speckled Hen is only 11 kuai around corner from Shanghaiist headquarters. So bring over some "tucker" and we'll throw back a few.

When the new Tang Hui opened back in May, most people were pretty excited. A legit live music venue in the heart of downtown Puxi (and 20 kuai bottles of Xinjiang Black Beer). Things looked promising for a little while, but then shit happened (and they never once had Xinjiang Black Beer available when we were there). Last May, we never thought we'd be reading an international wire story about a dating website holding a pillow fight party at Tang Hui, but that's what happened yesterday (the story didn't mention Tang Hui as the venue, oddly). Tang Hui's website still says it's the "best live music bar" (and we wish that were true, since it is right down the street from Shanghaiist headquarters), but anyone who likes live music knows there are much better options. We're not even sure if Tang Hui is trying to be a live music venue anymore. While the website proclaims "live music is back," it's in reference to a gig on Nov. 10 (they are also pimping "hard core salsa music") and a look at Upcoming.org shows no gigs on the horizon. Let's face it — it just isn't easy being a live music venue in Shanghai. Is Shuffle Bar still around?

The good and the not-so-good from the previous several days

We weren't expecting much -- just maybe to hear these guys play their dueling guitars, spy on some hipster chicks and down a few Xinjiang Black Beers. What we got was one of the worst cover bands we have seen in China (that is saying a lot) and a crowd that looked like we had perhaps happened upon the 25-year reunion of the Shanghai International School. (There actually was a party there, we think. We saw a sign that said "Belgium, Second Floor.")

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Since Shanghaiist has been accused of ruining things like the old Tang Hui, we thought we'd share with you the fruits of our actions -- the new, improved (?), definitely not at all dingy, gritty, divey, '50s-Motown-music-during-the-intermissions place on Xingfu Lu you that once knew and loved. Here's the rundown: Tang Hui has not only expanded and moved to a four-story villa on the corner of Huating Lu and Huaihai Lu (85 Huating Lu, just by the Changshu Lu subway station) but they've also expanded the concept -- there are now four floors and will thus feature simultaneous music (one act on floors 1-2, another on 3-4), so that if rock doesn't strike your fancy that night, you might be able to catch some electronic or more intimate (solo instrumentalist) performance instead. And while they're sticking with the mainland scene, expect them to book some overseas acts when they're in town.

Recent reviews of the best burgers in town made Shanghaiist want a drink -- a cocktail, to be exact. Don’t get us wrong, we love our local favorites -- we’re addicted to Xinjiang Black Beer now that it’s stocked at the nearby convenience store. We’re even known to occasionally take a healthy shot of baijiu alongside our Qingdao Beer during dinner. (At least, we think so -- we usually don’t remember the details of baijiu nights.) But when the Black Beer’s sold out, and baijiu doesn’t feel quite right (does baijiu ever feel right?) a cocktail can hit the spot.

While we are on the subject of satellite TV, John over at Sinosplice is offering a satellite dish and box for free. Well, kind of. All he wants in return is beer. (And no shitty stuff, either.) We'll let him explain:

Damn, it's already Wednesday and we are just getting around to last Friday's issue of SH magazine. We have been slightly critical of that publication in the past, but now find ourselves reaching for it on a regular basis. They seem to have found their niche and understand what people want out of an English-language weekly in Shanghai -- briefs, quick hits, short pieces that let you know what is new and happening in the city. Basically, they offer what is worth seeing, doing and trying. Some local mags -- well, one in particular -- just feel too bogged down with text. That may sound silly, but we doubt many of you turn to a Shanghai city magazine (or a city blog) if you are looking for a nice, long read. Anyway, SH is very "shitter friendly" -- and we honestly do mean that as a compliment.

If you have a real job, you'll likely be working. But if you're like Shanghaiist -- and you're also American -- you may be watching some good, old fashioned ganlanqiu ... American football ... the National Football League conference championships ... the two games that determine the contestants in Super Bowl XL (40, not "extra large"). The Pittsburgh Steelers play at the Denver Broncos in the American Football Conference championship at 4 a.m. And with a somewhat more bearable 7:30 a.m. kickoff, the National Football Conference championship pits the Carolina Panthers on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.