Bartisans: David Putney on Capital Spirits' Hutong Renovation

When we walked by Capital Spirits last month, we noticed something peculiar: The door was missing. According to operating partner David Putney, the spot was in the way of a hutong renovation project that plastered over the bar’s façade. We asked him about what's next for the world's first baijiu bar.

Where’d your front door go?

Our door’s been blocked by a wall that just went up. It’s funny because we’ve always been called a speakeasy and we never really were – but now we actually are!

How can we get into Capital Spirits now that there’s no door?

Every night there is an illuminated sign outside with a phone number. You just call that number and you’ll be escorted through a secret entrance to the bar.

How’s the new entrance impacting your clientele? Are people still coming?

Hopefully the backdoor entrance won’t discourage first-time visitors. I actually think the door adds a feeling of discovery and secrecy to the bar.

Apart from the fact that you have no door, how does Capital Spirits today differ from when you opened it two years ago?

Our cocktails have changed a lot. Early on, the cocktails were more basic, as the focus was on educating people about baijiu, and all the drinks were just classic cocktails with a twist. Now we’re developing our own tastes.

But overall, I don’t think Capital Spirits has changed that much. What speaks for Capital Spirits is that we’re a baijiu bar. That’s what we’re about.

3 Da Ju Hutong, Dongcheng 北京市东城区大菊胡同3号 (to actually get in, call 138 1108 9547)

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