By Matt P. Jager (thatsbj.com)
Updated: 2008-03-14 15:36

Ocean Butterflies International, one of the largest music companies in China, has its fingers in every slice of the music industry pie, from event promotion to licensing to publishing to production to 17 music cafe franchises all over Malaysia (Halo Cafe).

Now, the food and beverage branch has turned its head from Southeast Asia back to Beijing, opening their first mainland entertainment venue in the China View complex. Ocean Butterflies Red, a restaurant-bar-live music venue, underwhelmed on two separate visits.

The problems could be either forgivable opening foibles, or endemic problems that are never addressed. Judging by the reputation of the mother company and the success of Halo Cafe in Southeast Asia, odds favor the former. The good stuff is: a visually appealing bilingual Asian-fusion menu, free peanuts, cool neo-retro decor, a sweet set of congas on stage, tables with built-in TVs, a rainbow slide, and enthusiastic staff wearing golf caps at kooky angles. Read carefully, now: There is a rainbow-painted slide beside the staircase to descend to the first floor! That is cool. (It levels out fast, so careful with your tailbone.)

The bad stuff is: club prices on a mediocre drink selection, a house band that was mysteriously absent on both visits (apparently they play international pop hits), and sappy Westlife and Mandopop piped through the sound system. Management assured me that starting in March, the band would have regular shows, starting at 7.30pm and running to midnight daily.

Ocean Butterflies Red
Daily 10am-late.
Room 301, 2 Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District
6506 7737