When it first opened its doors in 2016, La Social was a rather unexpected arrival. Tucked away on the third floor of Nali Patio, the bar set itself apart by its vibrant Latin-inspired concept and zany vibe (the kitschy interior includes a portrait of Jesus, sultry red lighting and vintage decor). From the start, La Social never took itself too seriously – it was all about bringing something fresh and fun, free of the prevalent pretentia in the city's oversaturated speakeasy bar scene.
But even with its dive bar-chic ambiance and humorous spirit, the lively joint still meant business when it came to their menu: inventive cocktails and seriously delicious South American arepas. And this is the exact recipe that continues to keep La Social an irresistible staple of Beijing nightlife.
This weekend, the bar is celebrating its third birthday in the capital, with two parties planned for the supremely special occasion. We chat with owner Alvaro Rincón ahead of the anniversary event.
That's: Tell us more about La Social’s upcoming anniversary event.
AR: It’s La Social’s third anniversary – I’m pretty excited how we’ve come from such small humble beginnings to a grow into what we are today. In three years, we’ve accomplished a lot and we want to celebrate that. The anniversary event follows La Social’s mantra of "More is more." We’re hosting two events: The first is at Mosto on Friday, May 31, and will be our biggest La Social pop-up ever. We’ll be taking over everything, from the food – a special South American-inspired menu – to the music and interiors. Then, on Saturday, June 1, we’ll be [hosting] a brunch party at Moka Bros in Sanlitun, where we’ll be serving La Social’s Cuban sandwiches and signature cocktails with DJ Lin playing some great Latin music.
What first inspired you to get into the F&B world?
There are two main reasons. First, after 11 years of working in the corporate creative sector, I was feeling burnt out. I felt that the skills I had learned over the years could be put to better use in a more personally fulfilling project. Second, the amazing group of partners I have at Mosto Group – I could not have done any of this without them and they are a constant inspiration.
What did you hope to bring to Beijing’s F&B scene with La Social? What do you hope to continue bringing?
I feel like we brought a new kind of escape to Beijing’s bar scene. We are still connecting to Chinese culture, but fused it with Latin culture to create a new experience that transports you to a world of its own. We hope to maintain the same level of energy – I want Beijingers to continue having laughs and making memories with us.
How have you changed and grown in the past year of business?
Opening La Social turned my life [around]. I left my 9-to-5 job and became [a business owner]. As part of Mosto Group, we have been lucky enough to grow it in other Chinese cities and we’re excited for what’s in store for the future of La Social.
Any words of advice regarding running a successful bar/restaurant in Beijing? What’s the most important lesson you carry with you?
The most important lesson I’ve taken away is knowing that you can’t do everything by yourself – running a restaurant or bar is not a one-man show and you need to have a great team around you. Besides that, you also need to be confident in your vision, expect different challenges, new experiences and always keep learning.
What are some highlights since La Social’s opening?
The biggest highlight was the response we’ve had from patrons: the La Social fans who have kept coming back and having a great time with us over the past three years. I am also very proud that we are part of a community in Beijing that has helped pave the way for more different cross-cultural experiences.
Any exciting future endeavors planned?
Definitely. Right now, we’re looking at South China – Hong Kong or Shenzhen. We’re always open [to] new markets for La Social. We’re also thinking about even more ambitious frontiers. With Moka Bros opening overseas, we are looking forward to exploring completely new foreign markets...
[All images courtesy of La Social]
La Social Pop-Up Birthday Party: Fri May 31, 5.30pm; Mosto, see event listing.
La Social Birthday Brunch: Sat Jun 1, noon-4pm; Moka Bros (Sanlitun), see event listing.
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