(That's Beijing)
Updated: 2007-08-08 10:54

After months of speculation The Bank, situated just inside the east gate of Workers' Stadium, finally opened its doors to the masses. Rising from the ashes of the old Maggie's, the 1,500-capacity structure tells you it means business even before you have a chance to saunter across the threshold. As overwhelming inside as it is from the outside, this nightclub-cum-restaurant-cum- opulent KTV lounge is three floors of hedonistic excess made of marble. No expense has been spared in designing (and redesigning) this post-colonial, neo-gothic, mirrored, velveteen, and bejeweled behemoth, which makes you wonder if Narcissus moonlighted the club's interior design. The altar-like DJ booth, surrounded by gargantuan video screens, bespeaks The Bank's music-orientated mission statement, cemented by the KME sound-system-China's first-and the promise of big-name spinners.

 

The second floor is a more relaxed lounge affair, complete with a balcony overlooking the dance-floor, while the third is devoted to six VIP rooms. Then there is the tranquil, titanic terrace, replete with stylized sofas and a serene roof garden, which is one of Beijing's best. The drink menu is befitting of such a grand venue-Grey Goose (RMB 80), MUMM Champagne by the glass (RMB 120), and L'Or de Martell for RMB 18,800, by the bottle.

 

In the words of Club Director Ivan Zhang, "The Bank is a bar and club intent on quality. We want to provide an international feel and great music so that the Chinese can really understand Western nightlife."

 

The Bank 

Location: Gongti Donglu, (opposite Gate 9 of the Workers' Stadium), Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-65536698
Open: Sun-Thu 9pm-4am, Fri-Sat 9pm-7am.