Nightlife Archives - Now Shenzhen

Unlimited World Cup BBQ & Beer at the Wyndham Grand

The Wyndham Grand is a well-known international 5-star hotel. Open in Futian CBD, since January 2015, the Wyndham Grand never ceases to impress, and this summer is no exception. To celebrate the FIFA 2018 World Cup beginning on 14^th June, the Wyndham Grand is hosting a summer barbeque buffet with free-flow craft beer for the bargain price of RMB188 per person.

Situated in the picturesque outdoor garden of Vintage Bar on the ground floor, the barbeque buffet offer will begin on 13^th June and run until 15^th July when the World Cup ends. Matches will be shown live on televisions in the only outdoor hotel garden in Shenzhen. What better way to enjoy the game than with unlimited glasses of ice-cold craft beer and a never-ending plate of tasty barbeque food?

As well as free-flow craft beer or soft drinks, there is a delightful range of barbeque foods cooked fresh to order. Shrimp, squid, oyster and Japanese mackerel are the seafood delicacies you can sample, along with a variety of beef, lamb, chicken and pork barbeque dishes, all seasoned deliciously. If vegetables are more your style, try the barbeque corn-on-the-cob or roasted garlic eggplant. All of these dishes will be cooked as you order them to ensure the freshness of the food and that they are prepared to your requirements.

Before and between the matches there will be the opportunity to play games and win prizes. For every match you can predict who you think will win and each entry will have the chance to win a voucher for RMB500 that can be spent in any of the Wyndham Grand’s bars or restaurants. Whoever predicts the winner of the final will be in with a chance to win RMB3000 voucher plus free-flow beer at Vintage Bar until the end of 2018! A fantastic prize, by any standard. In addition, there will be smaller prizes on offer for customers who score a goal in the Wyndham Grand mini-goal.

Director of Food and Beverage from the Wyndham Grand, Shenzhen, Roy Huang has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 15 years and joined this hotel about 2 years ago. He shared with us his aim is to have the best outdoor bar in Futian CBD, and he understands that the key element is staff. To that end, all new staff have at least two whole day’s training in the first month before they are assigned to the appropriate position to provide quality service. All employees also have training once a month to ensure the highest standards are maintained. This process is obviously working as there has been an excellent retention of staff since opening.

The Vintage Bar and attached open-air garden is a stylish setting, suitable for any event. The Wyndham Grand is in an ideal location in central Futian, easy to get to by metro (Gangxia station) or by taxi. A warm welcome will greet you as you enter the foyer and on your left you will see the distinctive sign of Vintage Bar. A list of match dates and times will be on display in the entrance to the bar, so you can keep track of who is playing when. Due to the time difference between here and Russia, some of the matches will be on well past midnight; however, Vintage Bar – and the barbeque – will stay open until the last match finishes each night.

Whether you enjoy football (or soccer, as some people call it) or not, the Wyndham Grand World Cup Combo offer is one not to be missed. Bring your friends, play some games, win some prizes, and enjoy 5-star food and drink in an exclusive setting, all at the same time and for the great price of RMB188+10%+6% per person. . What more could you ask for?

For reservations or enquiries call 0755 82998888 ext.8550.

Address: 2009 Caitian Road, Futian CBD, Shenzhen.

Mr. 吾Five Bites – Don’t Judge A Hotdog Restaurant By It’s Entrance

Written by Eddy

Nothing beats a good hotdog. There are those who talk about ribeye steaks from Australia or the freshest oysters from France, but give me a New York style hotdog any day of the week over them.

The challenge in China, however, can be finding one. The photos on a menu can often be very different from what arrives on your plate and even when your order looks like what you expect it to, it can still taste like something entirely different.

I had actually passed Mr. 吾Five Bites at Coastal City a few times before I finally went in. The restaurant was busy with local customers and the hotdogs they were eating looked like the real deal, but I had been hurt before and I didn’t want to give myself false hope. I needn’t have had any doubts.

It’s clear from the restaurant that there is a deep love of hotdogs at play here, from the traditional hot dog stand to the extensive menu of different hot dogs. Mr. Five Bites is also a clear ode to the city of New York, which can be seen in the pop art wallpaper and the bright color signage. The bustling young crowd sat outside only serve to add to The Big Apple vibe. It didn’t surprise me one bit when I later discover the owner used to live in New York.

Passing an eye over the menu, however, you quickly realize this is no place merely looking to imitate the classics. There is plenty of fusion and creativity going on here. Check out Tokyo Hot, mixing sole fish tempura, wasabi mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce with a hotdog. You can also give Crawfish Dog a whirl with its spicy crawfish and scallion, or the alluringly named Miss Hong Kong, which boasts scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a cheeky sprinkling of corn cereal.

The tastes are always rotating and I’m told that Mr. Five Bites have showcased over 80 signature dogs over the years. This relentless reinvention can be accredited to their Food Director, Sky. Sky cut his culinary teeth as a chef on The Bund in Shanghai before later coming to Shenzhen to work at Shark. He uses his experience to cram in as much originality into each hotdog bun as he can.

Sky’s abilities, however, are not limited to just hotdogs. Mr. 吾Five Bites serves plenty of other dishes too. There is the hearty Five Bites All Day Breakfast, a selection of pastas including Spaghetti Arrabiata, and six types of French fries.

But in the end, I have to admit that I’m a sucker for a classic. Sowhen the time comes, I order the classic New York style Five Bites hotdog along with a nice, cold bottle of Corona. After my first bite and a swig of my beer, I’m in no doubt that these guys are the real deal. And it’s while I am sitting back to enjoy my snack and beverage that something catches my eye.

A waiter approaches the door to go inside the staff-only area of the restaurant. He takes a quick look around to check if anyone is looking and then enters a code into the keypad. The door opens and the waiter quickly enters before the door shuts behind. Unbeknownst to him, this eagle-eyed writer was watching. I quickly follow behind and enter the same code. The door opens…

In one moment I am sat outside at a hotdog restaurant, the next I am transported to a speakeasy bar. The lighting is dark, but a video that stretches across three walls offers enough illumination to see the lounge seating surrounding glass tables loaded with vintage whiskeys, and the long bar stocked with enough spirits to make all manner of cocktails.

The bar is lively. Young couples huddle together at the corner tables while in the middle of the bar are groups of people in suits who look like they’ve come from a business dinner.

The soundtrack for the evening is hip-hop, the West Coast variety. While the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Tyler The Creator keep the night moving along, I take up a seat at the bar. I’m greeted by the bartender, Jean, and when I ask what’s good, a mischievous smile creeps on to her face.

There are plenty of endlessly inventive cocktails including the aptly named Cloudy Day In Shenzhen, made from osmanthus-infused tequila, blue cuarcao, lemon juice, homemade raisin-nut syrup, and even some cotton candy. If you are feeling like a walk on the wild side, why not try Kiss By The Green Devil. This deceptively potent concoction mixes absinthe with lavender syrup, lemon juice, and egg white. For something a little different, there is always the Breakfast Martini, which combines bacon-infused bourbon whiskey with olive juice, white vermouth, and original bitter.

The night goes by nice and slow. Just the way it ought to. No moment outstays it’s welcome. Every conversation is savored. I enjoy some cocktails, some solid beats, and most of all, good company. Not too bad of a night considering all I came in for was a hotdog…

If you are interested to know the secret code at Mr.吾 Five Bites, just mention Shenzhen Party for the latest password.

Meanwhile, the top 20 Wechat reposters can enjoy a special promotional voucher that gives the holder 2 free beers at Mr. 吾Five Bites only if share this post at your Wechat moment. We will also randomly pick 2 lucky winners to win a cash coupon to the value of RMB300

Scan our Wechat QR to join the contest now!

Average Spending per Head：

Restaurant：60rmb

Bar: 100rmb

Business Hours：10am-2am

Address: No. 288, 2/F, Coastal City, Nanshan, Shenzhen (深圳市南山区海岸城购物中心2楼天台广场288)

Tel: 0755-86559701

Additional Resources

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Explore the Shenzhen Restaurants and Bars

Say Hello To The Newest Members of The Terrace’s Live Music Family

There are few better feelings than walking into a bar when the band is in the middle of their set. The guitarist screeching out a solo and the frontman singing like it’s his last time. The crowd up on their feet and dancing along.

It’s the same feeling you get when you watch the band at The Terrace. It’s a group of musicians that are very much a family, and this month the family just welcomed three exciting new members. Shenzhen Party went along one night to say hello to singers Monica Cuenco and Kris Astor, and drummer Mark Jasper.

That night, the first musician to take the stage is drummer, Mark Jasper. He’s arrived early to check the instruments and to talk with the technicians. It’s clear he’s the kind of meticulous musician who wants everything in its right place.

Considering his background, his attention to detail is no surprise. He later explains. “I started out as a drummer in the Philippines back in 2004. I’ve recorded and played for recording artists like Zelle, Gloc-9, Ney, Jay-R, and international artists like Taylor Dayne.”

Taylor Dayne was a pop superstar from the eighties with classics such as Tell It To My Heart, while rapper Gloc-9 and R&B artist Jay-R are award winning, platinum certified stars in the Philippines.

The set begins without their new female singers, but the band here are a versatile family of musicians. They ease into the evening with a funk laden cover of Ed Sheeran’s Shape Of You. Guitarist, Douglas, then turns singer for a cover of Cake By The Ocean, and although there may not be any cake on hand, the crowd are already having a great time at Seaworld. The band throws in some crowd favorites from Bruno Mars’ covers to a raucous rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit.

The one constant through all the wild improvisations and guitar solos is Jasper on drums. Like all the great drummers, he keeps them all in line and ties it altogether. Just like his idol, Vinnie Colaiuta, the legendary session drummer who worked across heavy metal, jazz, and country, with artists such as Frank Zappa, Sting, and Joni Mitchell.

Yet Jasper still wants to grow more as a musician. It was one of the reasons that brought him to The Terrace. “When I saw some videos of their bands performing here, I knew that I would learn and grow a lot as a musician from being under the supervision of the musical director, Leon.”

They say good things come to those who wait, and half way through the first set Monica and Kris are brought up and welcomed to the family. Kris bursts into a belter of a rendition of Sia’s Cheap Thrills, and Monica swoons on backing vocals.

As Kris struts around the stage with a wide smile and singing, “Baby, I don’t need dollar bills to have fun tonight”, you better believe she means it. As she says later, “I am more into R&B and soul, but when it comes to party then it’s all about rock! Expect that I will be giving my best every night!”

It’s an attitude that she’s carried with her ever since she started out as a singer. “I joined singing competitions as a training ground. That brought me to become a finalist of Pinoy Pop Superstar, a singing competition on GMA 7. They signed me as an artist and I became a part of a concert TV show every Sunday. I sang with famous singers like Jaya, Ogie, Alcasid, Janno, and Kyla.”

The highlight of her career was the chance to perform with her hero. “My proudest moment was singing on stage with my idol, Ms. Regine Velasquez. She has been my inspiration since I was kid. So performing with her is like a dream come true for me.”

Regine Velasquez would no doubt approve if she could see Kris now as she gets the crowd bouncing along to her electrifying cover of Nena’s 99 Luftballoons.

Next, it’s Monica’s time to step up, but the singer is no stranger to the spotlight. She may still be young, but she has already grabbed headlines and won competitions across Asia.

In 2011, she was a runner up on Star Power, the search for the next female pop star, on Philippines channel ABS CBN. From there she landed a role as Dorina Pineda in a theater adaptation of the show Bituing Walang Ningning and starred in the South Korean reality program K-Pop Star. Her performances have seen her win Best New Female Artist award at the ALIW awards in 2016 and Best Pop Recording and Best Song Arrangement at this year’s AWIT awards.

Monica lists Beyonce as one of her idols, and when she moves across the stage during a cover of Starving with all eyes in the bar on her, it’s impossible to deny she does not have the same gravitational pull as the former Destiny Child’s singer. When she sings the chorus, “I didn’t know that I was starving till I tasted you”, the crowd sing along in agreement.

Her biggest role model comes from her home of the Philippines. “The artist that influenced me a lot is Lea Salonga, a theatre actress. She’s really good when it comes to vocal techniques.”

The band finishes their set, but come back for a second later. They play some classic hard rock along with modern EDM and everything in between, leaving the band and the crowd breathless at the end. As the band hug and leave the stage to a cheering crowd, it’s clear to see that Monica, Kris and Jasper are already part of the family at The Terrace.

Contact Info:

Address: Seaworld Square, Shekou (Above Starbucks) / 深圳市南山区蛇口海上世界广场(星巴克二楼)

Tel: (0755) 2682-9105

Live Music is Spread throughout Shenzhen

In each pocket of expat life in Shenzhen there are areas of live music.

Shenzhen Live Music the Three Main areas

There are three main areas to watch live music in Shenzhen are Futian Coco Park, the OCT Loft, and Shekou Seaworld.

Shekou Seaworld

Many Shekou Bars are aimed at expats featuring live music as it is of interest among the expat community. Some expats event moonlight as musicians. In Shekou Seaworld square there are multiple bars within walking distance where you can watch live perforances. Destinations are The Terrace as well as X-TA-SEA on the Minghua Boat.

Most of the bands are cover bands singing current pop hits. Shekou is known for quality live music but not so much for original live music.

OCT Loft (Overseas Chinese Town)

If you are more interested in original music Overseas Chinese Town’s OCT Loft has become the destination. Close to the Huaqiaocheng subway stop with convenient transportation. The spot in downtown Shenzhen for artists sprinkled with cafes, art galleries and restaurants. The main attraction for live music lovers are jazz bar Penny Black Cafe which features outdoor seating and live jazz music bringing in artists locally, from Hong Kong, and beyond. For touring bands B10 Live is the most active venue running jazz festivals and having something on most nights of the week. Idutang is also of note for its italian food and live performances.

Coco Park (Futian)

Coco Park & Gouwugongyuan is the magnet of the shenzhen nightlife scene heavily focused more on the clubbing scene you can also enjoy open mic nights and live bands. McCawley’s Futain on the second floor is a consistent place to find a cover band while La Casa will have amature musicians once a week.

Live Music in Shenzhen the Conclusion

The best live music in Shenzhen depends on your tastes but you can find varieties in the above sections of Shenzhen. The most original music in OCT Loft with more of the commercial and pop music in Coco Park and Shekou areas. Other live rock bars dot the area and you can find a complete list of venues in the ShenzhenParty.com live music directory.