In the Hollywood movie The World of Suzie Wong (1960) starring William Holden and Nancy Kwan, Holden plays the role of an American artist who enters the exotic world of a woman named Suzie Wong when he rents a cheap room above a pick-up bar in Hong Kong. From this excellent movie, Club Suzie Wong gets its name, although it touts itself as providing the no-hold's-barred atmosphere of an opium-fuelled Shanghai, circa 1939. But, as Holden's emotional balance is tested in the movie, the club in Beijing gives people a kind of mysterious and ambiguous feeling. A little bit of living is going on here with a hint of the foreign as spice.

Club Suzie Wong has three parts: the New Part, Terrace and Old Part. New Part is an upright-long space with same decoration as other taprooms, but particular dull-yellow tonality and fantasy ambience. I personally favour its Terrace, the largest terrace in the taproom area around Chaoyang Park. Hundreds of people attended the Old Part's opening ceremony, and another royal ceremony was held when it reopened, which was like a Hollywood awards ceremony. Dressed-up beauties from different countries holding wine goblets talked gently with new and old friends, with smiles everywhere.

At midnight, the Old Part's door opens to welcome visitors. In this old-time building, beauties in ancient costumes dance amid clouds and mist, making Club Suzie Wong a place where people can lose themselves in the moment.

Club Suzie Wong
Location: 1A Nongzhanguan Lu, West Gate of Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-65003377/65936049, 15901441108