Bao’an: a vast stretch of low-rent housing, humming factories and not much else. Or is it?
A recent visit sees the area rising as fast as the skyscrapers being erected near the Bao’an Center metro station. And though it hasn’t yet been seized by the buzz of central Shenzhen, businesses are setting up shop, including American-style King’s Bar.
Tucked between two training centers, King’s Bar keeps it simple with darts, a smallish pool table and a long, wood bar bathed in an orange glow from a neon sign baring the business’s moniker. Though the blue-cheese burger may not be the artisanal masterpiece recently introduced to Shenzhen, at RMB75, with a side, it is excellent.
Drinks are affordable, with simple mixed drinks like rum and coke and whiskey ginger going for RMB20. On top of that, every day of the week has a different special (think taco Tuesday: RMB15 tacos and RMB100 for three margaritas).
We’re told the eight-tap pour-it-yourself beer system is the first in Shenzhen. Using a touch screen, you select how much beer you want (500ml of Asahi for RMB28 for example), before paying and pouring the draft yourself. It’s novel –and it works, though rumor holds a beleaguered net connection once had the taps on the fritz.
On our visit, Shenzhen bar staples were on tap like Zeffer Cider (500ml for RMB56.3), Easy Jack IPA (330ml for RMB29.7) and Brewdog’s Punk IPA (330ml for RMB33), and there are plans to bring in locally made craft beer.
Service is excellent and the food and drink on par with Shenzhen’s other American-style establishments, but location, location, location. Despite being on the Luobao Line (same as Window of the World and Coco Park), it’s far enough out of Shenzhen’s center that red taxis are few.
For anyone craving a burger, a beer and a glance at a changing Bao’an, King’s Bar is an excellent destination, as long as you’re ready for the journey.
Price: RMB100 for food and drink
Who’s going: Bao’an residents, nearby expats
Good for: solid food, affordable drinks
Nearest metro: Bao’an Center Station (Exit A), 5 minutes
Open daily, 11am-2pm, 5pm-2am. See listing for King's Bar.
0 User Comments