My Suzhou is a That's series when we ask a Suzhou-based somebody to tell us about their life.
Winner of Bartender of the Year at our first ever That’s Suzhou Food & Drink Awards back in May, we thought it was high time to find out the story behind Fannings, and her humble beginnings in her front room.
What is your background?
I’m from Guangzhou. When I was 10 years old I went to boarding school, and have not returned to my hometown since. My parents are both businesspeople. Compared to most Chinese parents, mine are pretty open-minded. They always give me choices.
How did you first get into the bar business?
When I was in third year of university, I lived in a small house on Pingjiang Lu. It wasn’t very big, but I had a bedroom on the second floor and a living room on the first. The area was beautiful back then, so I came up with an idea that I should change my living room into a bar. So I did.
Image via Locke Pub
How would you describe the early days of Locke Pub?
It wasn’t really a business venture; it was just for friends. It wasn’t open to the public until one day an Irish couple passed by and my door was open. For some reason they thought it was a gay bar and just wandered in. They became my first ‘real’ customers. Sometimes I left customers my key, and they drank there, put the money on the table when they left the bar, and even fed my cats. I had really good time, because I felt safe. I felt people are kind and trustworthy.
How did the move to the new venue come about?
We got kicked out! People thought our music was too loud, and Pingjiang Lu had become too expensive and touristy for me by then.
What can people expect on a night at the new Locke Bar?
It’s a local pub. You meet local people here. It’s also an event space and we host music, art and theater events here. We try to support musicians and artists as much as possible, and they support us too. So if you come here, you either make some friends or experience some culture.
Is Locke Bar your full time thing, or do you have another job?
It’s full time. On the weekends, I work 15 hours a day, but I love it.
What is your philosophy behind running a pub?
This pub is named Locke after the English philosopher John Locke. When I opened I want it to become an open-minded place, where people can share their ideas freely.
See a listing for Locke Pub & read more My Suzhou
Image via Locke Pub
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