Night out in Zhongxiao Dunhua

Tonight we took a train out to Zhongxiao Dunhua where all the trendy bars are reputed to be. We had arranged to meet Dino and Viv one last time at a place called “Sofa”. We went to a place called “Detail” first which had lovely retro décor, leather sofas, funky lamps and 60s wallpaper. We had a drink and some food there and then moved on to “Sofa”. This place had similar décor, but was darker and busier. There was a DJ and an alternative record store inside. It was a very cool place. We asked the waiter about a song that was playing and he said it was by a band called “The Runaways”. I have since Googled, iTuned and MySpaced them, but I am yet to turn anything up. Anyone heard of them?

Viv and Dino turned up with a card and a huge canister of tea for us to take home. So sweet of them. The card was actually one of their wedding invitations and some photos (we had asked them to show us some of their wedding pics – they got married in June). The pictures are amazing! They look so glamorous, like a couple of movie stars. I must get permission to add one of the pics to this blog. Our wedding pictures couldn’t have been more different.

After a few rounds in “Sofa”, we thought we’d try “Bed”, another bar on the same street. New Order were playing on arrival which seemed promising, but the place was weird. There were no beds and hardly any people. There was not enough light to read the drinks menu by, but luckily our friendly waitress was on hand to explain how you could get a jug of vodka or whisky and lime for a good price. We told her that none of us were actually drinking whisky or vodka and she seemed amused. Apparently these liquor jugs are the most popular feature of Bed. Well it certainly wasn’t the beds. Or the music which had turned into Run DMC at an earsplitting volume. We weren’t impressed and went back to Detail and ordered a very girly cocktail each. The music there was good until we realized it was on a loop. The second time they played Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn and John we decided to call it a night and got the second last train back to Ximen.