Lay Z Bar is located in a prime spot – the open-air hallway between My Coffee and My Noodle in OCT-Loft. With thousands of people walking past during the weekend, it would be hard for a business here to fail.
The previous establishment here, Han’s, did fail. Han’s housed a lighting shop downstairs and a cafe upstairs, but their plain black exterior and constantly closed door always made it look, well, closed.
The same owners have solved this problem in the reboot, now called Lay Z Bar, by tearing down the black wall. They’ve converted the downstairs area with gorgeous interiors featuring a wooden ceiling lattice and their own red mood lighting.
That's about all they've done right. They've obviously heard about the imported craft beer trend in Shenzhen and are trying to take advantage of it. Though the menu is robust, they don’t have many of the beers in stock. When asked about a South African Heng Tesi Cider (RMB35), the manager said it’s still coming – maybe overland on the back of an elephant?
The service is positively schizophrenic. On my first visit, a quartet of Germans (the only customers in the bar besides me) ordered beers. The waiter brought one bottle and demanded that they pay for the entire order, bemusing the poor patrons. On my second visit, four bored waiters seated me inside, then told me to go order at the bar.
At least the prices are reasonable. A Magners cider is just RMB40 and Lindemans lambic only RMB35.
You wouldn't know it, but they've got great coffee. Beans get ground to order and the best drink is named after me, the rose latte (RMB35). The coffee in a bowl (RMB30) and the coffee smoothies (RMB30) are a cool addition to the area.
Maybe the management should rebrand again as a fancy coffee shop?
Price: Approx. RMB70/two drinks
Who's going: Aimless OCT-Loft wanderers, craft beer drinkers, Germans
Good for: Iced coffee, confusing service
// No. 104-107, Bldg F1, OCT-Loft, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园F1栋104-107 (8618 4265)
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