Fate of Fangjia Hutong Hangouts Unclear

Following earlier this week's initial day of bricking up on Fangjia Hutong, we were extremely relieved to find that not all had been lost, though it's apparent that some, if not many, of the Dongcheng F&B hub's establishments' fates still remain uncertain.

Ramo makes for a pretty great office

Ramo, for instance, managed to retain one of their large windows, but you now have to enter through their tucked-away Mimi e Coco door on the side. It was good to see that business had not been interruped, and we know this because we took a moment out of our debris-laden stroll to drink a delicious strawberry and watermelon iced smoothie.

Michael, Ramo's operations manager, ensured us that "Ramo will not be closing even though we are losing our main entrance."

Enter through the side

Further east, Cellar Door and MoxiMoxi are attempting to stay open through a shared door, but both original fronts have also been bricked up. Rain, owner, manager, and bartender at Cellar Door, told us that they're "currently unsure of what will happen but working with the situation." She went on to tell us that she doesn't know what the future holds for Cellar Door but that she intends to remain open this week, selling her stock at super-discounted prices through her new small front window.

It was difficult to ignore that both of these establishments have taken a sizable knock to their already smaller operations and we hope they both manage to battle through, as a falafel and a beer has seen us through many a summer evening in these parts.

Fingers crossed that Cellar Door will continue

Another one taken too soon ... we hope MoxiMoxi pulls through

El Nido remains open for business as usual, not missing a beat and working with their new door as early as last night. Hopes are that their outdoor patio will survive unscathed, too, although only time will tell.

Many hangovers were conceived here

Fang Bar, however, will likely need a few more days to recoop. Their little bamboo patio has been completely removed, limiting their seating to indoors only. Owner and manager Zak Elmasri, who was also proprietor of nearby Tuk Tuk, which closed two weeks ago, told us that he was "planning to open Fang Bar back up on Thursday or Friday," adding that he hopes that the terrace will also prevail.

Fang Bar's lovely bamboo garden is also no more

Continuing even further east, Hot Cat Club nor relative newcomer Antlers have been reached by the impending bricklayers, leaving both venues unsure as to what the future holds.

So while Ramo and El Nido remain open and the neighborhood is playing door Jenga, only time will tell who will survive the next few days.

These recent brickings are part of an ongoing effort by Beijing’s authorities to eradicate so-called illegal structures, force small shop owners out of the city to reduce the centralized population, and clean up its lively but unpolished streetside businesses in favor of slicker shopping mall fare.

So far, we have seen major clean-up operations on Sanlitun Dirty Bar Street, north of Sanlitun's Taikoo Li, Xingfucun, and smaller pockets throughout the city.

Photos: Margaux Schreurs

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