Tokyo Lounge Is a Beacon of Timeless Charm and Elegance

advertisement

If you’ve hung around Ichiban Gai First Avenue (the strip of Japanese bars and restaurants just west of Solana and Chaoyang Park) as of late, you may have sensed an air of elegance about the place, a more refined touch to the otherwise standard izakaya and yakitori establishments that it’s known for. This is down to its newest resident, Tokyo Lounge, the current project from Paul Chen of Sanlitun’s The Bricks.

Tokyo Lounge promises to host a diverse lineup of classy musicians

With leather-clad wall panels, a spacious seating area, low stage, and two classier-than-thou chandeliers, Tokyo Lounge is a chic livehouse and cocktail bar that caters to fans of exquisite music and liquor to match. A veritable playground for the sonic imagination existing somewhere between New York in the 20s, Tokyo in the 40s, and Hong Kong in the 60s. Having only been open about two weeks, Tokyo Lounge is already hosting a diverse lineup of acts, from traditional Japanese musicians and experimental jazz to the honeyed tones of Beijing’s lounge performers. Likewise, when we visited last Saturday, it was booked out save for a couple of seats at the bar, a testament to Chen’s keen sense of what audiences want.

Whiskey lovers may have found their new favorite bar

advertisement

As a self-described “believer” in live stage performances and champion of talented musicians, Chen has a long history of bringing quality shows to Beijing. Luckily, based on the success of his previous endeavors, he found a willing co-owner and partner in Tokyo Lounge’s landlord, having decided to open a jazz lounge in the space as far back as June of last year. “A live musician on stage is the most exciting form of entertainment you can get,” Chen tells the Beijinger, “and that’s why I personally designed and operated a few live stage bars, and why I wanted to create another in the heart of the neighborhood.”

Go the dinner and show route. Make a whole night of it!

Admittedly, there won’t be much difference between the entertainment at Chen’s two clubs, however, folks can definitely expect different aesthetic experiences. “The Bricks is The Bricks and it will always be known for its hidden concept,” says Chen. “On the other hand, Tokyo Lounge brings you the glamorous life in Tokyo, one of the most exciting cities in the world for music and jazz culture.” And glamorous it is. While there isn’t a dress code per se, this author would certainly recommend getting yourself all dolled up before slinging back an Old Fashioned to the swinging sounds of someone like Sue Trio.

Two chandeliers are the cherry on top of the chic sundae that is Tokyo Lounge

Aside from the music and ambiance, Tokyo Lounge boasts a two-page menu of classic cocktails such as Negroni, Pisco Sour, Manhattan, and Cosmopolitan, all of which cost RMB 78. It also has an extensive bottle menu featuring Irish and Japanese whiskeys, gin, wine, sake, and a hell of a lot more, priced from around RMB 400 all the way up to RMB 9,999. If you want to go the dinner and a show route, the menu runs the gamut from bar snacks such as boiled edamame (RMB 33), mustard octopus (RMB 39), and nachos with beef (RMB 79) to signature mains like chicken or pork chorizo tacos (RMB 49 and 59, respectively), roast squid (RMB 69), fried tofu (RMB 39), and Australian beef (RMB 79).

Tokyo Lounge
Daily, 7pm-late. 2F Yokocho Ichibangai, #78 Maizidian Street, Chaoyang District (13810785420)
北京朝阳区麦子店街78号一番街横丁 2层

Images: Dianping, Drew Pittock, Paul Chen

---

advertisement

Top Stories This WeekNugget Café's Founders on Opening an Expat-Owned Business in BJ 
Beijing-Born Zhao Wins Golden Globes for Best Director, Film 
EAT: Side Street Opens in Liangmaqiao, Lobster at Nuo, and More 
Beijingers Are Buzzing AboutFal-Awfully Good Memories: Biteapitta's 16-Year Legacy in BJ 
New in the Neighborhood: The Latest Eats and Drinks in Sanlitun 
How to Drink on the Cheap Monday Through Friday