If Vice magazine can make itself the millenials’ favorite with witty dissections of western subcultures, then we’ll be damned if That’s Beijing can’t do so in China. Sure, we don’t have many to riff on – post-ironic cyber-crusties and futurist bohemians aren’t big here – and the one we do have, hutong hipster, seems to have ruled the capital for longer than the Qing dynasty did. Steampunk bar suggests there’s some level of obscure subculture to be found, though. And what a deliciously weird one the steampunk is. It’s not quite at Japanese octopus porn levels of weirdness, but it’s considerably edgier than a head-to-toe Hello Kitty get-up.
Upon entering, we’re met by the owner (member of the band Black VA – they make their own instruments, natch) and his jewelry designer friend, Danyi, who looks like supermodel sorceress. They describe steampunk as an aesthetic that marries 19th century industrialist steam-powered machinery with the studded leather of traditional punk (think Edward Scissorhands listening to The Ramones), but minus the anti-establishment middle finger, judging by the hosts, who are lovely. The owner has hand-made a series of moving metal contraptions from repurposed bike wheels and metal tubing which adorn the walls.
They make us their signature drinks – Steampunk #1 and Steampunk #2 (both RMB30), which are essentially just sweetened alcohol plus mixer. The rest of the fridge runs the standard gamut of imported beers and they are inexpensive – a Vedett is only RMB20. As the rulebook dictates, the bar is located within walking distance of the Gulou-to-Dongzhimen thoroughfare, just off Jiaodaokou Nan, and is a touch larger than a shoebox. Yet, in a city where the Steampunk population might not even reach double figures, why go any bigger?
Price
Drinks around RMB20-30
Who’s Going
Steampunks, regular punks, regular Joes
Good For
Cheap drinks before hitting up a livehouse
See a listing for Steam Punk
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Photo by Holly Li
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