(That's Beijing)
Updated: 2006-07-20 09:24

Not so much a new bar as the product of a face-lifted Relais de Biere. The management has decided tanned wood and foreign beers are not enough to pull in the Sanlitun punters. Instead, they've turned the lights down and the music up, and gone for a little trendy French sprucing.

It's now all chrome and lipstick red. The bar-top and ceiling are decked out in metal, with some low-lying sputnikesque bar lights. A long, sultry sofa is parked by some low tables, while the rest of the seating consists of tall bar-stools. One wall is predominantly glass, overlooking the neighboring rooftops, and, as is customary these days, there is the standard outdoor terrace and flashing neon.

Beers start at RMB 20, mixers and cocktails start at RMB 35, but alas, no offering from the Brouwerij Bosteels Brewery in Belgium to speak of.

L'Etage Bar 
Location: 2/F, Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Houjie (upstairs from Le Bistrot Parisien), Chaoyang District
Opening time: Daily 4pm-2am.
Tel: 010-64178198