Spark Nightclub: Sparking a Flame in Beijing

Spark is such a suitable name because this club is on FIRE.

Spark has totally figured out the perfect balance of catering to both the local and foreigner party animal market by offering something better than Vics and Suzies combined.  With the club lit up in bright, vibrant lighting displays all across the ceiling of the club, two girl DJs behind the DJ decks and a playlist of straight-up dance music all night, this is quickly going to become Beijing’s go-to-dance club for all party fanatics.

While Bling ruled out a big portion of the market by only playing hip-hop and the Beach limited by weather conditions, Spark has really got something going.  I’m surprised because it took over the same space that Song Music Bar was in before (below Zara in The Place Mall) and Song never took off.  But just a few weeks after it’s opening, Spark is packed every Friday night without fail and it’s the talk of the town.

Music, people and atmosphere aside, by far the best part of Spark is definitely their laser lights tunnel entrance that makes you feel like you’re walking through a scene from Mission Impossible.  I’d never seen this before and I will go back just to walk through it again.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Spark Nightclub:

From Avatar to Harajuku girls: Halloween 2010

With a million and one Halloween parties all over town, it just goes to show Beijingers not only love this holiday, they like to go all out.

Every year, Club BLING hosts its annual Cash Money Halloween Bash and hands out RMB 5,000 cold, hard cash to the costume that get the most applause and love. This makes great incentive for people to get innovative and let loose.

With people decked out in everything and everyone from Pin-Up Girls, Garfield, Harajuku Girls, Dexter Morgan, Bridezilla, Avatar, Superheroes, Vampires and Lego-Men, the crowd went nuts for all the creative costumes around!

Bling’s Cash Money Halloween Costume Contest:

Although Avatar and Ms. Skunk came close as the runner-ups, the Winner of the Night:

(drum roll)

………

The Other Charlie’s Angels

LumDimSum Snapshots of Bling’s Cash Money Halloween Bash:

Until Next Year…

That’s All Folks!

HalloWIN All Weekend Long

So what are the Halloween hot spots to trick or treat this year?

Beijing’s got a pretty hefty line-up of events all weekend for whatever kind of mischief you plan to get yourself into whether you’re out to grub on some Halloween treats, win some big bucks or surround yourself with freaky fetishes, you’ve got your fair share of freaky parties and restaurants to choose from.

Halloween Warm-Up on Friday, October 29:

1.  Migrant Children’s Foundation: 

An evening of Halloween themed drinks, munchies and entertainment all in aid of the Migrant Children’s Foundation.

“There’ll be an array of dark delights for your entertainment including howlingly good happy hour drinks (until 10.30pm), freakishly tasty finger food, eccentric entertainment and a ghostly gallery of raffle prizes…and be sure to wear your freakiest Halloween costume as there’ll be a prize for the best dressed guest.“

2. Black & White with Something Bright:

Raffles Hotel Beijing gets rowdy with Open Bar from 10PM-12:30AM for RMB 150.

3. All-Star’s Spooky Halloween Menu:

4-Course Menu including everything from Creepy Appetizers (Trio Bruchetta), Witch’s Brew (Creamy Pumpkin Soup), Body Parts (Pork Chops) to Graveyard Pie (Spiced Pumpkin Pie).

Top 7 Haunting Hot Spots for Halloween 2010

Saturday, October 30:

7. Urbanite Dance Competition:

Hosted by 2XS, the event will showcase international dance performances and a Scholastic Team Competition with a ¥2000 RMB cash prize.

• Time: 7PM-10PM
• Location: Mako Live House (Shuangjing Bridge)
• RSVP: Jessica.T2XS@gmail.com

6. Divinaura Masquerage Party:

Hosted by Divinaura (Enoch, Shanti & Claire), this Masquerage Party will take place in Bed Bar with food, drinks, DJs and special prizes courtesy of Paper, Meili Autumn, Kocoon Spa and more!

Exclusive Ladies Party from 7:30-9PM with RMB 180 entrance (tapas, wine and lucky prizes included) and Gentlemen are allowed entrance for RMB 100 after 9PM (includes glass of wine).

“Veil it, paint it, or mask it; just come as anything else but yourself.”

• Time: Ladies – 7:30PM-onwards, Gents: 9PM-onwards
• Location: Bed Bar
• RSVP: http://crush3r.com/page/geyrcncbvu?i=gjzmaxxeza

5. Trick or Treat at TERRA:

With all night Happy Hour Drink Specials, 20RMB shots, tasting plates and DJ Suiki, Terra will be full of treats.

• Time: 7PM-onwards
• Location: TERRA

4. Scarlett goes GAGA for Halloween:

Free flow cocktails for all those dressed as Lady Gaga and set of 10 shooters for RMB 88!

• Time: 9PM-late
• Location: Scarlett (Hotel G) – A7 Gongti Xilu
• RSVP: Marc- 1520140320
  

3. Haunted House Party:

Yan Club transforms into a Haunted House for a “spooktacular” celebration.

• Time: 9PM-late
• Location: Yan Club (KunLun Hotel)
  

2. Yen Fetish 2010:

In an all white warehouse space in 798 Art District, the annual YEN Fetish is at it again. Featuring DJ Blackie, DJ Usami, Ou Yang & Yang Bing.  For those with freaky fetishes! First year in Beijing, I went to YEN Fetish and never saw so many head-to-toe leather suits (think gimp suit from Pulp Fiction). 

“From the sexy to the scary, freaks of all varieties get down and dirty at the 706 Factory with the Yen party crew, where “skin is in” and your lustful longings can come out to play.”

• Time: 10pm-5am
• Location: 706 Factory in 798 Art District  706大厂房(798艺术区内)
• Price: 150RMB (door, includes one drink); 80RMB (presale). Online tickets: http://clubzone.cn/
• Website: See www.o2culture.com for the full list and more details.

1.  BLING’s Cash Money Halloween Bash:

RMB 5,000 Cold, Hard CASH goes to the most innovative, creative costume. Bring your friends to increase your chances of winning!  Free Entrance before 11PM.

• Time: 9PM-late
• Location: Club BLING (Solana)
• RSVP: Hill – 13810858776

And if partying is not your thing?

At least indulge in some Spooky Lollipop Cupcakes.

Treat yourself to Lollipop Spiced Pumpkin Cupcake Treats decorated as Mummies, Pumpkins, Cobwebs and Tombstone cupcakes.  300RMB per dozen.

To order, e-mail: cupcakes@lollipopbakery.cn

HAPPY HALLOWIZZLE!!

Mid-Autumn Festival = An Excuse to Party

Ring in the Mid-Autumn Festival with parties already starting this Tuesday night:

The techno legend Derrick May with Punk resident DJ Saul D will be playing for one night only @ PUNK.

“From the cold, mindless machines comes so much hope, spirituality, and soul…. this is how Techno was born, in the urban wasteland of Detroit, and Derrick May (along with Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson) is the godfather of this sound.”

Wednesday, September 22:

Lunar Moon Party @ BLING:

Bling will also be celebrating the Lunar Moon Party with complimentary moon cakes for all guests along with Ladies drink specials (complimentary Mojito & Cosmopolitan cocktails ALL NIGHT).  Gents enjoy all-you-can-drink specials for only RMB 100.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, September 22
• Time: 9PM to late
• Location: BLING
• Free Entrance

If hip-hop is not your thing, celebrate with Acupuncture Records as they turn 3!

Acupuncture’s 3 Year Anniversary Party:

“Since its inception in 2007, Acupuncture has released 6 international EPs and 2 full length albums in addition to hosting China’s first large-scale electronic music festival INTRO and opening their very own nightclub, marking a ground-breaking epoch in China’s electronic music history.”

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, September 22
• Location: LAN Club
• Cover: RMB 50

Back-to-School Bash @ BLING

Bling’s annual Back-to-School party is back with a new attitude & a Back-to-School Dance-Off.

After summer holidays come to a close, Bling is going to get you kids back in school mode. I’m talking rulers, reading glasses, lunch boxes galore.

Don’t forget your school uniform.

• Ladies: Plaid skirts, glasses, think Britney’s braided pigtails.

• Guys – white shirts & black ties (glasses optional).

• Dress code strictly enforced and people who dress in school uniforms enjoy complimentary cocktails all night!

Exclusively @ Bling!

Date: Saturday, July 10

Time: 9pm-late

Dress: School Uniforms receive complimentary cocktails all night!

Reservations for table bookings are highly recommended: Hill: 138 1085 8776

LumDimSummary: BLING II BLING

Beijing’s hottest hip-hop club, BLING, celebrated its two year anniversary party in style with bottles of Goose, an endless supply of champagne, car-washing dancing divas and Beijing’s craziest party animals.

A big thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated with us!

LumDimSum Photo Gallery of Bling’s 2 Year Birthday Bash:

BLING II BLING: 2 Year Anniversary Party Weekend

BLING II BLING: BLING’s Two-Year Birthday Weekend

On August 6 & 7, 2010 weekend, come out and celebrate as Bling turns TWO.

Beijing’s hottest hip-hop club, BLING, will be celebrating its two year anniversary party in style with bottles of Goose, an endless supply of champagne, dancing divas and mad skillz on the DJ decks with Bling’s ‘Double Trouble’ resident DJs – The Tiger Twins.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported Bling since our grand-opening right before the Olympics 2008 to all the crazy, wild parties we’ve thrown over the past two years, this is our chance to say thanks and here’s to you and to many more birthdays to come.  Cheers!

Exclusively @ Bling!

Event Details:

Date: Friday & Saturday, August 6 & 7

Time: 9pm-late

Reservations for table bookings are highly recommended: Hill: 138 1085 8776 & Fei Fei: 13911681599

Who Will Win the Title of Miss BLING?

Calling All Beijing Beauties to Find the ONE who will win the crown: Miss BLING.

Ladies, this is an all-out event. Think you’ve got the most BLING?

Get lavish, get the jewels and get your Gucci and LV on. This night is to show off your stuff, no holding back, rings, earrings, chains included.

Winner will be selected based on crowd cheers, so rally up your posse and bring it!

*Complimentary cocktails for all ladies before 11PM.

PRIZE:  Whoever wins the title will not only win unlimited bragging rights, she will have access to the ultimate BLING VIP card (valued at RMB 5,000)  – for one month, you will be get to party with your crew as Bling’s very own superstar!

Exclusively @ BLING!

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 31
• Time: 10pm-late
• Reservations for table bookings are highly recommended: Hill: 138 1085 8776

LumDimSum Hook-Up: Bling’s 2 Year Birthday Bash

The First 10 LumDimSum Friends to contact me will win FREE entrance to Bling’s 2 Year Anniversary Party on Friday, August 6th.

What can you expect?

A celebration of the Best Hip-Hop, bottles of Goose, beautiful people, OPEN BAR (until midnight), dancing divas and mad skillz on the DJ decks with Bling’s ‘Double Trouble’ resident DJs – The Tiger Twins.

RSVP: Contact me before Monday, August 2nd at 5PM with your contact information (name, e-mail, telephone and Chinese mailing address) and Club Bling will send you a VIP pass. (Regular Entrance ticket is RMB 200 per person)

NBA Stars @ All-Star Sports Bar & Grill

This past Saturday, Club BLING hosted the Official After-Party for Yao Ming’s charity basketball game.

I am certainly not one to be shy about taking photos, but with so many people crowding around these NBA stars, I couldn’t be bothered to squeeze past people or worse, wait in line.  So I did the next best thing – request photos from the lovely Mrs. Julia Li.

Check Out Big Ballers Steve Nash & Dwight Howard @ All-Star Sports Bar & Grill:

Pheonix Suns' Point Guard, Steve Nash

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard in front of his Jersey at All-Star!

*Other NBA basketball stars at All-Star:

Baron Davis, Chase Budinger, Brandon Jennings, DaJuan Summers, Amir Johnson & Hasheem Thabeet

Bling’s Beach Babes

Bring on the summer heat with bikini beachwear and your dancing shoes.

Featuring Bling’s Sexy Beach Babes, an endless supply of Pommery champagne, see the summer’s hottest bikini beach trends and enjoy Bling’s summer drink list and jams.

Girls sporting bikini tops are treated to free champagne all night!

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 24
• Time/时间: 9pm-late
• Cover:  RMB 50 (Free before 11PM, Free entry for Girls, Free champagne all night for girls sporting bikini tops)
• Reservations for table bookings are highly recommended: Hill: 138 1085 8776

LumDimSummary: Usher Pre-Party @ BLING

Apologizes for the delay in getting these photos posted, but better late than never right?

Pictures speak a thousand words, so this photo gallery should give you plenty to take in.

Here’s the LumDimSummary of this awesome event @ BLING last weekend:

*Special thanks to 8th Round and Street Hustle for making this event such a success!

Don’t miss Da Real Hip-Hop Party TONIGHT! DJ Noodles & Beatbox Double’s mad skillz will be on display tonight @ BLING!

BLING: Da Real Hip Hop

Together with Special Guest DMC Champion DJ Noodles & Beatbox Double, Beijing’s Breakdance Superstars – the Forbidden City Rockers, Bling will be bringing down the house to all those with swagger and skillz.

Exclusively @ Bling!

Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 17
• Time: 10pm-late
• Cover: RMB 50 (Free before 11PM)
• Reservations: Contact Hill: 138 1085 8776 or Fei Fei: 13911681599

It’s ON: Official Usher Pre-Party @ BLING

Brought to you by 8th Round, international superstar Usher is making his debut in China for his upcoming concert in Wukesong Stadium on July 11th, and Bling will be warming up all Usher fans with the Official Pre-Party Celebration dedicated to Usher.

Together with Street Hustle, Bling’s Usher Pre-Party will be featuring rappers, musicians, FREE ticket give-aways, an Usher-Wannabe-Dance Competition (winner gets a bottle of GOOSE), along with Usher’s tour gang.  *Fingers crossed Usher will make a surprise appearance!**

Advance table reservations highly recommended:  1381 085 8776 /1391 168 1599

From BBQ’s to Parties: Independence Day Weekend

There are so many reasons to love the Fourth of July, even if you’re not American.  Admittedly, I am American and I love the Fourth of July for all reasons unrelated to national pride. Scratch that, I shouldn’t have said that.  I am proud to be an American, but that’s honestly not why I love the Fourth of July.

Fourth of July is a day to BBQ, have a picnic, play in a park, chill out, have water balloon fights, more BBQ and fireworks. I’m sure people of other nationalities would find this combination of activities just as exciting…no?

Anyway, I’m happy to find that Beijing has a lot going on in terms of things to do and ways to celebrate this holiday and not just the Fourth of July, but ALL weekend!

For those who aren’t going all the way out to the Great Wall Beach Party, there’s plenty of parties to hit up right in town – like BLING’s Independence Day Party this Saturday, July 3rd to warm everyone up for Sunday!

Anyone wearing red, white and blue will be rewarded with ‘All-American’ shooters and beer/drink specials all night.

On the actual day of, there will be BBQ’s all over the city.

Breakdown of Fourth of July Festivities:

• AmCham will be celebrating at Ch’ien Men 23 – a day of family-friendly festivities. Tickets available at the AmCham website.
• All-Star Sports Bar & Grill will be hosting a BBQ Cook-out with an all-you-can-eat-BBQ including a salad bar, a variety of cold cuts, our famous baby back ribs, barbequed chicken, beef short ribs, steak kebabs, chicken kebabs, hot dogs and much more for only RMB 138!  12pm- 3pm, 6pm-11pm
• Special Set Menu at Nola: For RMB 135 per person you get: three kabobs (choose from pepper marinated pork with peach and shallot, ribeye steak with potato and mushrooms, shrimp with lime and corn, and/or chicken with tomato, olive, and panzanella), three sides (baked beans, coleslaw, red beans, sweet potato salad, green bean salad, cucumber and tomato salad, green bean casserole, and/or corn maque choux) and dessert (red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, German chocolate cake, lemon poppy cake, or cupcakes).
• The Apartment’s BBQ & Drinks: 4-10PM. Friends & Flatmates Welcome!
• 2 Kolegas’ Funky Reggae BBQ Party: Serving Funk, Soul, Reggae tunes along with Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Salad, Tamales (by Texas Tamale Junkies), Cupcakes (by Lollipop Bakery) and Pies (by Pie House).  Starts 3PM, RMB 30 at the door.

• China Doll’s Independence Day Rooftop Party: Live music, Jell-O shots & BBQ. Dress in red, white and blue and get a free drink.

And if you don’t feel up for parties and socializing at all this weekend, then at least indulge yourself in Lollipop Bakery‘s absolutely adorable Fourth of July cupcakes -

Lollipop Bakery’s Red Velvet Cupcakes capped with patriotic red, blue and white frosting – sure to add fireworks to any holiday BBQ! 220RMB per dozen