Oldie but Goodie is a monthly column where we feature noteworthy restaurants, cafes or bars that have been open at least six months and are worth a try.
Oh, Shekou: land of the long-term expat and statistically safest (populated) area of Shenzhen. Searching for an oldie but goodie seems to draw us to this ‘snake mouthed’ area of our fair city more often then not, and Brew Magic Pub is no exception.
Planned in-bar brewing regrettably met red tape back in the day (safety, folks!), making the establishment’s name a bit of a misnomer, though the in-house baked bread could be the moniker’s ‘magic.’
Bread is made with Australian flour every two or three days and tastes excellent with the chicken salad sandwich (RMB52 with two sides). Made with red and green peppers, celery and mayonnaise, the sandwich is just above homemade style owing to the smoked meat, but keeps it real with a simple side of fries.
Among the nine or so beers on tap, Singlewide IPA is the most popular, a bitter citrusy brew that goes for RMB35 during happy hour (4pm-9pm) and RMB45 other times. Prices this low are much welcomed, especially in the high-rent Rose Garden area that Brew Magic Pub calls home.
About a quarter of the bar’s single floor is dedicated to a pristine pool table, with inter-bar pool competitions organized against local favorites like Blu Bamboo and The Tavern. Above the pool table, international sports matches are projected on a wall, with large-screen TVs giving the rest of the bar its athletics fix.
Music is surprisingly free flow, with customers choosing the tunes through a bar-mounted computer and live music brought in on Fridays or Saturdays.
Brew Magic Pub is the kind of place where the regulars ask your name and any reference to ‘my kids’ will lead patrons to talk about their children. If you’re looking for a mature stop and friendly ambiance, Brew Magic Pub fits the bill.
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