The 7 essential things to do in Beijing this week

Photo: 247 Tickets

Make the most out of the capital with our picks for every day of the week

Happy Monday, Beijing! With big-name bands and Hollywood blockbusters making their way to the capital, as well as other boozy things to do, from new fall beers to taste, and our picks of ladies’ night and pub quizzes, there’s plenty to keep you entertained this week.  

Bounce off the walls at Bombom Space

TO DEAL is Time Out Beijing’s initiative to bring readers great time-limited discounts on the city’s best experiences. This week’s Time Out Deal will have you bouncing off the walls. Literally. We have managed to get half price tickets to Bombom Space – a massive trampoline park and activity centre that includes rock climbing, an interactive video game hub and a flying fox for the kids, or the young at heart. Originally priced at 350RMB, the package, which admits two adults and 1 child (below 1.3m tall; 3 years old and up), or 2 kids and 1 adult for three hours, is now just 175RMB. You can buy this time-limited deal only till November 25. The vouchers can then be used any time till February 29, 2020. Book your tickets here:

Cool off your jets at those gigs

Tango. Thu 14. 8.30-10.30pm. 400RMB/320RMB adv

After a seemingly quiet week in Beijing gigs, this week concert-lovers are certainly spoilt with a whole host of big-name bands and talented musician coming to Beijing. Get a dose of sunshine and indie nostalgia with British pop-rock foursome The Kooks. Bringing their 1960s influenced sound with hits like ‘She Moves in Her Own Way’ and ‘Naïve’, the band is back with their latest album Let’s Go Sunshine. There’re only a few tickets available, so get’em before they’re sold out by scanning the QR code below:

Blue Note. Thu 14-Fri 15. 7.30pm-late. 340RMB/240RMB

As part of the Mercedes-Benz Jazz Master Series, break-out jazz star, composer and bandleader Joel Ross arrives in Beijing performing music from his debut album KingMaker. The album showcases his deep understanding of jazz through his instrument of choice, the challenging vibraphone, and his leadership skills with his band Good Vibes, jazz's most prodigious group of young improvisers. 

Tango. Fri 15. 8.30-10.30pm. 350RMB/300RMB adv

The Drums are an American indie pop band from New York City, currently oriented by its founding member Jonathan Pierce. Known for its quirky surf rock riffs, melodramatic but tender melodies, and catchy lyrics, the band cite their major influences as Beach Boys, The Wake, The Smiths, and Joy Division. Catch them at Tango for a night of frivolous and exquisitely crafted pop songs that blast sunlight and high energy in the face of anxiety, solitude and crippling self-doubt.

Indulge yourself at the newly open Sweet Spot+

Since it opened in 2012, The Sweet Spot, with its sinful pastries, has been the go-to for CBD denizens looking for some guilty indulgences. Well, it has somewhat reformed and upgraded itself in its fourth branch. Besides its variety of sweet treats, The Sweet Spot+ has also launched a menu targeting the health-conscious. Expect light dishes that includes warm salmon noodles, signature chicken rice, steak salad and roasted spring chicken. Its new space now seats 39 though you can order via its WeChat (ID: Chinaworldhotelbj; in Chinese only) and pick it up. Perfect for worker bees who just need a grab-and-go meal.   

Sweet Spot+. Basement Level, Unit SB1043, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district (6505 3316). Open 7.30am-9.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-9.30pm Sat-Sun

Try these new fall (non-pumpkin) beers

Photo: Jing A/WeChat

Jing A Brewpub & Taproon. Every Mon-Sun. 11am-midnight. 

Hankering for a pint? A range of new craft beers has made its way into the autumnal rotation of the city's breweries. For adventurous drinkers, Jing A has released three limited-edition beers, which features a quirky brew for Single’s Day, as well as two riffs on their IPA and sour beer.

The 11.11 beer, named One in a Billion, comes with a heady alcohol content of eight percent, though perhaps made easier to drink – with notes of lychee, tangerine, stone fruit and a hint of coconut cream. For those who fancy a lighter fruity beer or something different, Mango Xanadu – a mango-infused sour beer with a balanced sweet-tart finish – is also on tap, as well as Milk Tea IPA, a low-bitterness IPA that’s brewed with black tea and lactose (and marketed in a bubble tea cup). 

Celebrate being a woman at these ladies' night

Midweek is when ladies get all the fun stuff (sorry gents). Adding to the endless list of happy hours in Beijing is a host of ladies' night with fab drinking deals. So lasses, assemble your squad with our guide of the best ladies' night in town here and hit up one of these female-friendly fiestas of bubbly, cocktails and live music. 

Try your hands at these pub quizzes

And lads, don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you too. Everyone can get in on the action gathering the squad for a night a banter and booze, at the variety of pub quizzes hosted by Beijing's fine pubs. Embrace your inner nerd and give your ego a boost at these midweek trivial trials – from boozy mindmash to bilingual, friendly contest.

Catch these new blockbusters

The Legend of 1900. Cinemas around Beijing. On general release Fri 15.

Enjoy a 4K restoration of Tornatore's classic on the big screen more than 20 years after its initial release. 1900 is the story of an orphan, left on a ship as a baby, who was eventually forced to learn how to survive on his own when his adopted father passed away and ends up displaying musical talent like no other. Tim Roth stars as the protagonist in this award-winning film that has scooped up 21 awards including the Golden Globes award for Original Score and other awards for its Director, Production Design and more.

Terminator: Dark Fate. Cinemas around Beijing. On general release now.

With James Cameron (Avatar) and Tim Miller (Deadpool) as producer and director respectively and the comeback of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the original Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), Dark Fate continues the story by following Sarah Connor’s new mission to protect a young girl from a new kind of liquid Terminator. Read the full Time Out review here.

Charlie's Angels. Cinemas around Beijing. On general release Fri 15.

The 1976 television series has been made into two popular action flicks bearing the same title released in 2000 and 2003 respectively. The 2019 iteration (produced and directed by Elizabeth Banks) sees the female ensemble (Naomi Scott, Kristen Stewart and Ella Balinska) parachuting, car-racing and gun-fighting against the bad guy, this time someone who possesses a very dangerous technology.

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