Wudaokou Stalwart and Student Institution The Bridge Café Closes
It’s the end of an era in Wudaokou. The Bridge, which has been a favorite hangout and study enclave among local and expat students since it opened in November 2007, shut its doors on Jun 30.
Explaining the sudden closure late last month, manager Lily Xie says that the café's lease was up, and while she and her team have begun seeking out a new location, they “so far haven't found a suitable place.”
Upon its opening, the Beijinger praised The Bridge’s “completely American menu, with wonderful coffees, cakes, and breakfast specials. A top floor terrace is a pleasant retreat in the spring and summer.” News of its closure left many Bridge regulars crestfallen, as well as event organizers who relied on it as a means to interact with Beijing’s expat university students.
Democrats Abroad China chair Aaron Kruse, for instance, tells the Beijinger that The Bridge “was a centerpiece of the Wudaokou community, especially for expats. During the last few American election cycles, they allowed us to do voter registration events and were a critical partner for our organization.”
The Bridge was a centerpiece of the Wudaokou community, especially for expats. During the last few American election cycles, they allowed us to do voter registration events and were a critical partner for our organization.
Before that, he also logged plenty of hours there as a student, saying, “The Bridge was my go-to for Sunday studying when I was a student. I could always count on running into friends there or making new ones.”
The Bridge's popularity also provided a rare bit of longevity in Beijing’s vibrant and volatile food and beverage scene. Alice Black, who is in the midst of her third year studying international relations at BLCU, concedes: “It wasn’t that popular with the newbies given that a lot of people prefer the café in my uni called Harney’s because it’s inside the uni. But oldies like me definitely loved The Bridge. They held all these interesting events and the best part about it was the buy-one-get-one on their black coffee and Americanos. For students like me who only know how to cram, that’s the best combo there ever is!”
It wasn’t that popular with the newbies given that a lot of people prefer the café in my uni called Harney’s because it’s inside the uni. But oldies like me definitely loved The Bridge. They held all these interesting events and the best part about it was the buy-one-get-one on their black coffee and Americanos. For students like me who only know how to cram, that’s the best combo there ever is!
She adds: “ The Bridge will definitely be missed. I met some of the most interesting people in there. They had some music but not to the point it was too repetitive or concentration-breaking, but just right.” Bemoaning the disappearance of the establishment's study-conducive atmosphere and strong coffee, Black adds: “Seeing as I have my finals next week, I have been on a wild search to find a replacement for Bridge but, to no avail, no such luck.”
Photo: cafeflavour.com
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