“CIRCLE is the ultimate meaning of life. CIRCLE belongs to both everyone and no one. It is all encompassing.” These are not our words (alas), but those of CIRCLE nightclub itself, as written on its press kit. The gold letters sit on sleek black card and are accompanied by pictures of Bugattis, cocktails and helicopters.
Such bold words, such strong imagery. But in what sense could CIRCLE be the ultimate meaning of life? We think first of Earth itself but also of wedding rings, which – it could be argued – represent the best possible result from an evening spent in such an establishment. Only a visit can reveal its true meaning.
CIRCLE is, in fact, a glittering new venue in Gongti, Beijing’s fu’erdai-magnet nightlife conglomeration. But it promises to be more than just a nightclub. It’s aiming to be a cultural brand, partnering with the likes of BMW and Skullcandy, and bringing in big-name DJs like Gareth Emery. Is this China’s answer to, say, Ibiza’s Pacha?
Pulling up to the entrance we are met by a spot-lit, branded board; the kind often found beside red carpets. It’s a classy touch. Posing for a photo we feel like a celebrity and, to be frank, who doesn’t want that?
Upon entering, the first fixture we notice is a huge, molecular-structure-shaped chandelier made from dozens of little interconnected circles. Is CIRCLE the ultimate meaning of life, or life itself? Regardless, it’s an incredible sight and is undoubtedly a scientific allegory for the complete nightclub experience: physics (dancing to the music); chemistry (the connection with fellow revelers); and biology (no explanation needed).
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Photos by Noemi Cassanelli
We enjoy our time in the anteroom but we must glide on, through a corridor of Matrix-green neon, and into the club proper. Our first impression is that, for a circle, it is disappointingly angular (we can count at least four corners). But this feeling soon transforms into an appreciation of what will probably become one of Beijing’s hottest new EDM spaces. Designer Chi Zhang and actress Cecilia Cheung helped curate the space and, hey, there’s a dance floor that raises and lowers automatically.
We order a firework display of flaming beverages from a pyromaniac barman. The Tokyo Ice Tea (RMB75), complete with a charred sprig of rosemary, is a highlight. It is also worth mentioning the house tequila shots (RMB40) which are combined with a mouthful of peach syrup to completely mask the alcohol. If you’re a teenager just discovering spirits, this drink may very well be the ultimate meaning of life.
With enough of a buzz for the dance floor, we bust some shapes including, but not limited to: circles, triangles, varying rhomboids and the elusive dodecahedron. The music is straight-up commercial house and EDM, played at extremely loud levels. And it gets people moving.
Ostensibly, there is nothing all that original about CIRCLE’s space, but perhaps they’re going for something a little deeper. They will need to, given the proliferation of clubbing options in the area.
Can this CIRCLE can become a perfect one? Time will tell.
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