Walk from the Dongshankou subway station for about 10 minutes, turn onto Sibei Tongjin Lu, pass by a Christian chapel and you will notice the bar P.O.P open on your right. Set in a basement with a broad glass facade that humbly notes “There’s no miracles here,” P.O.P is all about the juxtaposition of standing out while remaining nondescript.
Step inside to a transparent showcase of miniature dinosaur skeletons and alternative music. Ink splashes cover the walls, a metaphorical nod to the bar’s name, derived from ‘po’ in Mandarin, meaning ‘splash’ in English. The elbow-high cocktail bar counter feels approachable and is convenient for anyone interested in sneaking a peek to learn how to mix drinks at home.
Wymen Deng, owner of the bar and an experienced bartender who previously worked in the wine industry for five years, whips up original concoctions of local ingredients and imported spirits. Gooseberry ginger soup (RMB40) – a combination of cape gooseberries, ginger and Absolut Vodka served in a bowl – is an odd blend of flavors that packs in a full shot of alcohol but tastes agreeable, at least to ginger lovers. The cleverly named ginjam (RMB40) is a mix of honey, lemon, gin and ice with a spoonful of raspberry jam balanced on top for a smooth start to the night.
.jpg)
Wines and whiskeys are also available – a glass of Ardbeg single malt is priced at RMB90, while the chilled Chilean Frontera checks in at RMB40.
Open from 2pm to 2am, P.O.P also serves your ordinary latte (RMB30), mocha (RMB35) and espresso (RMB15), but decor is clearly more focused on late-night happenings.
P.O.P’s designer, Moy, originally intended to make the bar customer-friendly and interactive – a place to meet new friends, lose inhibitions and exert one’s imagination. Considering the limited space, he had all the tables installed with wheels to make them portable in case guests want a change of scene. It’s an ingenious concept, but we have to admit it feels very awkward to roll one’s table around a bar.
If, like us, you find yourself in P.O.P during one of Guangzhou’s infamous rainy spells, just lose yourself in the fountain of dazed youth and try not to get too liquored up – it’s a long walk home.
Price: RMB45 for a cocktail
Who’s going: the counter-cultured
Good for: inventive cocktails, free-spirited parties
See listing for P.O.P here.
0 User Comments