So this new Beiluoguxiang spot Dan Wei opened with a bang over the weekend. Actually it opened with a Hot & Cold DJ set, and hey that's good enough for me. Dan Wei is a labor of love started by a crew of Hong Kong creative types: Kit, Fai, Ivan, and Jesse. Kit's a producer at VICE; Fai runs some vintage store. That gives you a hint at the aesthetic. Decor is classic hutong kitsch. Not pictured are the waves upon waves of '90s Brit rock playing. That's a huge influence on the space, if that giant, glowing Bowie quote out front didn't already tip you off. Dan Wei's founders grew up in '90s Hong Kong, and so have a special appreciation for that particular era of alt tunes. They actually painted Dan Wei's floor to resemble that one Stone Roses album cover. Good jams on rotation. Kit says they'll play all kinds of music, just not hip hop or EDM. "If you want EDM you can go to Dada." They also have a small TV that only screens hip films. When I got in last night they were showing Blue is the Warmest Color, bold choice. And that went straight into a Wong Kar-wai film. This touch of mature cinematic appreciation is a nice contrast to the posters of explosions and airplanes and 3D naked ladies strewn about the walls: So, the drinks. Small selection of beers and house wines, Vedett on tap. They have two house cocktails worth trying. One is just a straight up Double Dubliner: half Bailey's, half Jameson. Kit told me they put that on the menu because that's what they always make at home when they're hanging out and this bar is pretty much just an excuse to not hang out in each other's living rooms listening to music. The other specialty cocktail is a mix of huangjiu, ginger, and plum, with some sparkling water. Pretty good. Had a few of each and was almost into soccer by the end. Luckily that Wong Kar-wai was still playing to remind me who I was. The Dan Wei crew isn't expecting to make buckets of money on this venture, but they want to make a positive first impression on the neighborhood lushes. So they have a generous happy hour (buy 1 get 1 free Guinness, hey) and for the time being they're offering a free drink to anyone who rocks up on a bicycle. Not a bad deal. Worth a look for sure. Dan Wei plans on having some more low-key, mostly music-related events in the near future, we'll be back for more "reporting" as it develops. *** Dan Wei is located at #6 Huafeng Hutong, at the corner with Beiluoguxiang, just up the road from the Beiluo Bread Bar. It's open 5pm-2am-ish every day. Find more info in the listing.