Jian Guo Lu
Head North up Jian Guo Lu, turn right at the first turn (past the row of shops). Pass Hou Jie Nan Hai and carry on until you come to a dead end. Go through the door and into the elevator and up. Admittedly looks more like a entrance for a warehouse than a nightclub, but persevere.
Probably the most Western night club in Baoji. Something of a Western take on prices too, there is a cover charge to get in, 10 RNB per person, and local beers start also at 10 RNB. However decent sized dance floor and a real DJ, as opposed to a room where they change tapes every so often. Don't expect Carl Cox though. The actual dance floor itself is a bit weird as it is not too stable and if you jump up and down it bounces. A little strange, but can add to the experience in a Chinese way. Still really not a bad place. It should be said however that sometimes the vibes on the dance floor can be a bit anti-foreigner; though if you are in a group you probably won't find trouble. Even if you are on your own no-one is going to jump you, so don't worry too much.
Xin Kai Lu
No access from street level. You have to go up metal, external steps under the neon JJ's sign.
Apparently one of the oldest bars in Baoji, JJs is also one of the best. It has a nice, relaxed friendly atmosphere. Often has live music on the weekends. The presence of darts, jenga and connect four also help to entertain. If you have no one to play with, the staff are friendly enough to join in. Quite a few interesting regulars too; for instance "F*!k you very much" man, a gentleman who is normally keen to talk but whose English only covers the above phrase. Western beers available: Budweiser, Corona and Heineken.
Jing Er Lu
On the Southern side of the main street, past the KFC but before the park.
A surreal, greenery shrouded bar situated on Baoji's main road, mucho seedy interior, feels like you are sitting in a rarely cleaned gold fish bowl. A standard entry charge (10 RNB), but two free beers and snacks. Cheaper beers than most places. Music of the Karaoke variety, a few bad Western sing-a-longs. Bar owner, Seamus, speaks excellent English and friendly to foreigners. The establishment is divided into two halves and has two entrances. One entrance leads onto a large hall where there is roller skating or dancing, the other (less noticeable) entrance leads up darkened stairs to the bar area.
Head North over the central bridge, Shengli Qiao, as soon as you are over this you will hit a cross-roads. Turn left onto Xin Jian Lu. The bar is now down the next left, about 100 metres on the left hand side. NB: Because of the one-way traffic system, these directions actually go against the flow of traffic.
Not the easiest place to find, but worth the hunt. Good atmosphere and filled with interesting patrons. The owner, Zuo Dong aka Joseph is friendly and a bit of a geezer. Seems to have his fingers in many pies. Beers competitively priced. Live music. One of our personal favourites. Normally closes when you leave. Nearby street food vendors best avoided though.
Han Zhong Lu
This is on the south section of Jing Er Lu, about half way down the street on the Western side of the road. The club is set back from the road and you have to go through a large pair of gates and into a courtyard.
Its nick-name comes about due to the fact that it is, allegedly, bank-rolled by those crazy cats at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Nice one boys. Not a bad place either despite its slightly dodgy background. The night there follows the format of the notorious "Fashion Show" before an entertaining MC comes out and plays various audience participation games. Then the floor is open for the larging. Not bad. Like all the discos in Baoji this place closes early, normally around 00:30.
Jian Guo Lu
Head North up Jian Guo Lu, turn right at the first turn (past the row of shops). The bar is on your right.
Named after the boy band of the same name famous for such hits as "I want it that way." Appropiate name as they appear to have a loop of the Boys on the VCD, which does get on your tits after a bit. This drawback is more than compensated by the fact however that they seem to stay open for ever and ever. Also have quite a large array of spirits. Not the cheapest place, but friendly enough. The trip to the bogs is not recomended however.
Bao Guang Lu
Our local. Not much going for it really apart from the fact that it is near to our college. Pretty dark inside, Richard Clayderman on the VCD, about it.
Han Zhong Lu
Very near the intersection with Xin Jian Lu. English sign.
Not one of our favourites. Mostly because the only time we went there they tried to charge us foreigner prices for foreigner beers and claimed to have no local ones. Hmmm. In the course of research I have discovered that they do have local beers, but they are pretty expensive; Hans 2000 is 8 RNB. Admittedly the place does have a bar-like atmosphere.
Chang Qing Lu
Head North up Hong Qi Lu, go straight ahead at the Foreign Langauge Bookstore intersection, pass under the railway bridge and the road will terminate in a T-junction. Turn right onto Chang Qing Lu and the club is about 100 metres further on your right.
Telephone: 0917 3657258/85
Pretty darn big. One of the newest of Baoji's discotheques, having opened in October 2000, and is pretty nice inside: lasers, fancy lights and even an amusing water feature with spinning ball. 5 RNB per person on the door and then 15 RNB for a small bottle of Budweiser, Heineken or Corona. Very Chinese like club: 5 minutes of dancing before they close the dance-floor and have an audience participation show, another 5 minutes of dancing, then a magic act, another 5 minutes of dancing (for couples) and then... Pretty popular. This might be because it has just opened though. As I said pretty darn big.
