Shuangjing Watering Hole Plan B Celebrates Ten Years in Beijing
Ten years can fly by in an instant when you’re having fun, and for gastropub Plan B it’s been all fun since day one. From slinging burgers way back when to playing host to Shuangjing Showdown and massive block parties across the years, Plan B has seen it all and then some.
Even though their ten year anniversary celebrations were meant to take place back in July but pushed back due to Covid – the show must go on.
Metz (left) with business partner Ian Syer
We spoke with Plan B owner and Canadian expat Trevor Metz to get a glimpse at the good, the bad and the ugly since opening way back in 2012.
Q
How does it feel to be (finally) celebrating ten years?
A
Where the hell did the time go? To be honest it is hard to articulate how I feel about making it to ten years of Plan B. It has been such a wild ride with so many up and downs that it makes it difficult to really describe. It is gratifying for sure and I still have plenty of passion for it. I have the world’s best business partner in Ian Syer. It is extremely rare to have one of your best friends in life also your business partner. If you asked either of us ten years ago if we thought we would still be working together I bet we both would have said yes. The late nights, the long days, the trials and tribulations of being a part of something special and demanding are worth it when you have someone like that by your side.
Plan B has been the spot to go for parties in Shuangjing over the years
Q
So the big day was postponed from July due to Covid restrictions. How else have restrictions affected Plan B?
A
Ugh, where to begin? We were open only two and a half days through May, June and some of July. Those are our biggest revenue generating months. For some reason we were told we were a bar not a restaurant despite our extensive menu and food sales outperforming drink sales. There was no rhyme or reason to the closures and there was zero appeal process or clarification of why or what was going to happen.
Every level of government was trying to cover its ass from the one above and building managements across the city were trying to cover their collective asses from the local government. A dumpster fire basically. Then last three years have been exceptionally difficult and I’m not sure we are out of the woods yet. So yeah, ten years is something.
From Shuangjing Showdown bouts...
I feel like if we can make it here we can make it anywhere. I also have to give a lot of props to our administrative manager Ali Zhao. She navigates the pitfalls of dealing with officials and management. Without Ali we would never have made it to ten years.
Q
Besides Covid putting a damper on things, what's been the biggest change for you over ten years of business?
A
I guess the biggest change is our clientele going from mostly western to probably more Chinese now. I started Plan B as just a tiny bar and we didn’t have food. Ian, before he was my business partner, gave me this little gas BBQ and I started making burgers on it in the freezing cold in the hopes of generating more revenue. It worked! We took over the dress shop next door and built a proper kitchen and food became the focus.
...to Shuangjing Block Parties
Many Chinese have traveled abroad and they want honest western food and despite more and more westerners leaving the city our sales keep growing (when we are allowed to operate. I am still pissed about it if you can’t tell.) Our food isn’t five star by any means but I am extremely proud of our product and recipes. There is nothing on the menu I don’t love. Except mushrooms. Mushrooms suck.
Q
What have some of your fondest memories been while running Plan B?
A
I think the events we have hosted make up some of my fondest memories. The first Shuangjing Showdown we created with James Oliver was one of my favorite days in Beijing. The Shuangjing Block Parties we would throw were awesome. 5000 people would come to those parties. These were different times and Beijing was a fun city. It was full of optimism and creativity. It is a bit tough to say what your fond memories are when you really enjoy the day to day stuff so much.
And the fun hasn't shown any signs of stopping
I have made truly fantastic friends through Plan B. That isn’t bullshit. Honestly the times with people that were customers that have become good mates make up the vast majority of my fondest memories. Taking part in trivia nights every Wednesday, chucking darts with the lads on Thursdays, the laughs, the love and even the tears have made it all brilliant.
Q
Looking forward, what's in store for the future?
A
I really wish I had a clear view of the future. I would love to expand and have a Plan B or two in cities around China but in this current business environment it is hard to say. I can’t say what the future holds. All we can do is keep busting our asses and keep innovating. I would love to say there will be another ten years of Plan B but I really don’t know. For now we will keep going and if things become more open I would like to renovate the shop. I am worried renovation would kill the dive vibe but a fresh coat of paint can’t hurt eh?
Head to Plan B all through September to celebrate ten years with 2012 prices their first two menu items – the Plan B Burger and pint of Tiger Lager – for RMB 50 and RMB 25 respectively.
Plan B
2-012, 22 International Art Plaza, Pingod Community, 32 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区百子湾路32号苹果社区22院艺术区2-012
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