Months after the closure of its original location on Chaowai Dajie, Banana has re-opened.

The 3,500-square-metre space is divided into three sections with the main room dedicated to dance where pop and techno dance music hold sway. The back room is for funk, house and acid jazz while the third floor lounge caters for those seeking senerity.

KTV rooms are also available for those who want to burst into song themselves.

Admission: 30 yuan (US$3.6) for all three sections during the week, 50 yuan (US$6) on weekend

Hours: 8:30 pm-4 am/5 am

Location: Scitech Hotel, 22 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6526-3939

Circus Boy

Circus Boy has come to town. During the past two weeks it has impressed Beijing's barflies with magicians, circus acrobatics and Industrial tune plus latest pop/rock live.

It got the idea of equipping a phone on each table so that patrons can talk to the bar tenders without leaving their seats. It is hard to say how practical it may be, but when there is a show going on, you don't have to worry about missing an act.

Drink prices are below the Sanlitun standard, the menu is standard.

For the time being, the bar is suspended for two weeks due to "internal personnel adjustment," according to one staff member at the bar. It is expected to re-open on January 23.

Hours: Weekdays, 5 pm-late, weekends 11 am-late.

Location: 8 Gongti Beilu, opposite the Great Dragon Hotel, Chaoyang District.

Tel: 6532-4053

(Beijing Weekend January 14, 2003)