Since opening on December 14 as the newest addition to Tongli Studios, China
Doll has quickly become a hip new home for Beijing's playthings with a charge
for the avant-garde.
Inside, depictions of sexily submerged underwater women take the form of
wall-sized light-box photos and film projections. In order to make this
conceptual wet dream come true, Shanghai actress turned club owner Ai Wan pooled
the talent of experimental photographer Chen Xu Renren and Beijing-based
cinematographer Ta Tu.
This duo dove into the project headfirst, spending 250,000 yuan to build the
tank and holding auditions to select the best roster of professional swimmers,
actresses and models to become the featured buoyant beauties.
Spanning three floors, this 800-meter lounge and club offers some of the more
daring dcor found in Beijing's bar scene. Ai's divine design company Epic - also
responsible for the layout of Mango, Club Vogue and Cloud Nine - has created a
heavenly haven of intelligent design at China Doll.
Here, felt-covered seats taking the form of experiments in geometry line
frosted-glass tables etched with floral flourishings. The heavy use of mirrors
on ceilings and walls reflect Ai's belief that "we're all dolls right now in
China."
As the establishment's musical director, DJ Youdai - the first Chinese DJ
featured by Rolling Stone - has recruited a fresh mix of local DJs to put a new
spin on Beijing's electronic music scene.
The downstairs lounge features a quieter, comparatively spacey soundtrack,
while dancier melodies upstairs set the pace for movers and shakers to pack the
smallish dance floor. The third floor features free VIP rooms for up to 50
guests.
Beers begin at 35 yuan and a 10-strong selection of house cocktails range
from 45-100. The ever-colorful Wan promises that imbibing the drink named after
her "will make you see rainbows."
Saturdays are "Hip-Sexy-Cool Ladies' Nights," when Beijing's babes drink on
the dollhouse.
Erik Nilsson
Daily 6pm (lounge) and 10pm (second floor) "until the last person leaves."
2/F, Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District. 6417-4699.
(China Daily 01/18/2007 page11)
