乒乓Ping pong, Guangzhou's New Rhum Bar

(Photos by kou)
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The virgin voyage took two taxis, three phone calls, and enough u-turns that we joked about feeling like the ball in a game of ping pong. Here's what you do: Tell the cabbie to take you to 星海音乐学院后门 (Xinghai Yinyue Xueyuan houmen, Xinghai Music Academy's back gate--and note that it's nowhere near Xinghai Music Hall on Ersha Island). The driver will probably take you to the front gate of the music school. That's not quite far enough. From the front gate, continue straight, following the road as it sharply curves right and up hill. Keep right until you see a building glowing a sangria shade of red. There's a large tree next to it. It's difficult to find but worth the effort. Pierre, the owner of Ping pong, is French (hence the "h" in "rum") and was one of the organizers of last year's Pearl River boat parties. Like a cruise down the Zhujiang, Ping pong offers originality to Guangzhou's imbibers--Martinique rhum inspired drinks. Prices are comparatively low. Cocktails sell for 25-30 RMB. Bottled Belgium beers are 35 RMB or less and domestics are 20 RMB. But the highlight is the fruit-infused rhum shots (flavors range from banana to what-the-hell-is-that) for 15 RMB. Just make sure it's not too green, otherwise it burns like a shot of erguotou (the grade used with stir-frys). Shots are ladled out of the jars in which the fruit ferments. Around a dozen such jars are displayed on one side of the bar, adding an organic aspect to what is dominantly an industrial chic decor. The design is somewhat original, at least in Guangzhou. Essentially, Ping pong is a gutted brick house. The interior brick walls are painted white and the ceiling is high. Two neon red signs with the characters for 乒ping and 乓pang (pong) flank the bar. (The signs appear to be the only connection to the bar's name.) Outside seating is available in the courtyard between the main building and an interesting restroom. (The stalls have an eerie, solitary confinement like aesthetic.) Other characteristics of Ping pong are in development. The music was inconsistent (soporific at times) and the crowd varied (diverse, but sparse--probably due to the Beijing Olympics). Overall, Ping pong is a refreshing addition to a generally bland bar scene in Guangzhou. Highly recommended.