2022 Year-in-Review: Places We Bade Farewell to, Pt.1
The year 2022 has been filled with twists and turns, making us all the more ready to bid it farewell. We’re taking a look back at the best and worst of times in the capital from this year that was.
Beijing F&B has lost some true gems this year, but a select few closed and reopened as something new. In our first look back at venue closures in the capital, we remember the venues that rose from the ashes with a new face.
De Refter closes, becomes
second branch of La Platea
When we saw earlier this year that De Refter, a Belgian-style bar in Sanlitun Courtyard No.4, had closed its doors, we were worried that another beloved Beijing bar had bitten the dust. However, after talking to Thomas Salou, part of the original trio that took over De Refter in 2018, we were relieved to find out that the venue wasn’t closing for good and would instead be reopening as a second branch of Mediterranean restaurant La Platea.
The outside of De Refter before being repainted and branded...
On the decision, Salou told us at the time: “As we entertained a different vision for the future of De Refter, we were ready to move onwards. It’s worth noting here that a significant part of De Refter’s clientele has left since the onset of the pandemic. Our original team also experienced the changes that inevitably come with the years, even before the pandemic. Shortly after Chinese New Year, we closed De Refter, knowing that we would transform it into a fun twist on the original La Platea.”
...a fresh new look for La Platea's second branch
There was always plenty of fun to be had at De Refter, with its long bar with multiple beers on tap, outside terrace, and regular DJ nights making it a perfect late night spot. Now having reopened as La Platea, it has kept the same fun drinking vibes but with just a little more refinement. It’s certainly already proved a popular spot – go past on any Tuesday and you’ll see it crammed full of patrons taking advantage of the weekly RMB 10 tapas deal.
XL Bar closes, becomes Blue Star
At the very end of 2021 we bade farewell to XL Bar, a local favorite that had been around in the capital since 2014. Tucked away behind Xindong Lu, this cozy bar was known for its reasonably priced drinks and hearty pub fare, and was a sad loss for the capital. But the space didn’t remain empty for long, with the beginning of 2022 seeing new restaurant Blue Star taking it over.
Blue Star still has the same cozy atmosphere as XL
A German eatery, Blue Star is run by Thorsten, former longtime manager of Schindler’s Tankstelle, another famous Germany restaurant located in the nearby embassy area. Although keeping the same basic layout, Thorsten changed the interior to give it more of a restaurant feel as opposed to a bar. Serving up a range of traditional German and East European classics like schnitzel, sausages and goulash, they also have a range of German beers on tap to wash it all down with.
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Chez Soi closes, becomes Le Sud
The interior of Chez Soi before it became Le Sud
The end of August saw Covid claim yet another victim, with French bistro and bar Chez Soi announcing that they would be closing and undergoing a change in ownership. The name Chez Soi roughly translates to “at home,” and this was what the bar sought to bring the capital, welcoming in Chinese and expats alike, along with being a safe space for the LGBT+ community. Chez Soi’s team told us that “the lockdowns and many other restrictions prompted us to make a decision to close it. Selling was the only way to save Chez Soi, otherwise we would not have been able to continue at all.”
Inside the new Le Sud after it underwent major renovations
After officially closing its doors on Aug 31, the space underwent some major renovations to be reborn in October as Le Sud. Taken over by Chef Thiery David, Le Sud, meaning “the south,” brings southern French cuisine with a twist to the capital. Featuring a white and blue color scheme, chic marble tabletops, and plenty of natural light, Le Sud has already become a favorite for those seeking a fresh take on French in the capital.
Camera Stylo closes,
becomes Sugar Café
Indie film fans and literary enthusiasts across Beijing were dismayed to hear that popular hutong haunt Camera Stylo would be closing Oct 31 and reopening as Sugar Café. Owner Yao had already moved to Shanghai where he opened a second branch of Camera Stylo, but at the time he hadn’t planned on closing the Beijing branch. However, Yao explained that as “the restrictions increased and business decreased, I just felt that emotionally and mentally I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
The before and after of where the Worst Toilet in Scotland used to be
This led to Camera Stylo reopening as Sugar Café on Nov 1. We went to visit shortly after the reopening, but despite the change in ownership the interior and menu remained the same. There was one significant change, though: The replica of the “Worst Toilet in Scotland” from the film Trainspotting was gone. This humorous prop was a truly unique feature, and only time will tell whether more of the movie-themed paraphernalia decorating the space will also be removed in the future.
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Images: courtesy of the venues, Katie Coy, Ana Padilla Fornieles
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