NANJINGNOW

If you read this site, you might be getting the feeling that I am a little bit jaded about the Nanjing club scene. I have made, and will in all probability continue to make, comments regarding the homogeneity of the ever popular 1912 district. That is exactly why, in this review, I am so happy to be able to write about a club which comes very close to offering a fresh experience. The bar I speak of is Mazzo. So what exactly is so innovative about this place? Overall, the right combination of design and ambience are great reasons to check out Mazzo. On the negative side, there are some of the same faults as many other clubs and bars in 1912 and throughout Nanjing.

Upon entering Mazzo, there are some unique things which immediately stand out. First is the fact that the bar is entirely underground; in order to get in there is a long staircase that leads down from street level. It is true that other bars in Nanjing also have sections underground, but Mazzo’s design simply seems to be better thought out than many other places. Obviously, whether or not a bar is located in a basement has very little to do with how good the bar is overall; however, it is small touches like this that make this place stand out.

Aside from location, another striking feature of this club is that it is, in fact, two entirely separate and independently furnished and decorated bars in one. Each bar has its own music and design theme; and though this certainly is not enough to make anyone go rushing there (in the end, no one really goes to a club to see the furniture), it is nice to see that the management has been creative.

Small stylistic elements can be found everywhere in Mazzo, such as a large, Thai-styled statue of Buddha’s head in the entrance way. At the Buddha, one can choose to turn left or right. On the right is what is often referred to as Mazzo ‘One’, though I am not sure if there are any reasons for referring to one side as ‘One’ and the other side as ‘Two’. In any case, of the two sides, ‘One’ has a more conservative, standard, club like design. A series of booths and tables circle the dance floor, and as with any good club, the floor is clearly defined and easily viewable and accessible from most areas.

Stylistic details kick in; booths on one side of the club are separated by a sort of wooden lattice. Not only does this look cool, but it provides privacy for you and your party. Each booth has the feel of a private VIP room. Aside from this, there aren’t any of the amusing little gimmicks like dancers or performance pieces that can make other places stand out, but the overall experience remains fun.

If Mazzo ‘One’ is more modestly styled, then Mazzo ‘Two’ is absolutely insane. Upon entering the bar, many images might come to mind: a baroque salon, a very fancy coffee shop, and even ‘Alice in Wonderland’ all seem to have influenced the décor in some way. There are large couches for you and your party to relax on, and usually there is enough space for everyone to sit or stand comfortably. Ambience is important for a club, and in this area Mazzo ‘Two’ truly excels. Furthermore, the DJ’s and MC’s can bring a great deal of excitement and energy to the club. On one occasion I was there, the MC energized the crowd with some very amusing back and forth exchanges.

MCs may be good at crowd control, but ultimately this relies on the music played. At Mazzo, as with the majority of other bars, the music isn’t bad. It just is not at the creative level that one may expect from a modern club. As usual, there is a mix of Chinese and Western hip hop, pop, and some classics thrown in for fun. DJs scratch and mix, but one always gets the feeling that they could do more. Occasionally, one gets the feeling that the music played could be heard anywhere in 1912, but this happens much more rarely than in other clubs. In general, the music is good, but with a club as downright gaudy as Mazzo, you might expect more.

As with every club, there are some drawbacks. One very important thing to keep in mind is that Mazzo can get very, very crowded. In the past, I have arrived at the bar around eleven and have been completely unable to get a table or booth. This is easily resolved though – call ahead and make a reservation. Another drawback is price. Mazzo is quite a bit more expensive than other bars in 1912; don’t go there expecting to be able to pay around 100 RMB for a night’s entertainment. However, the prices are not so high as to totally prevent you from having a good time. Just expect to pay an extra 50 to 100 kuai. Ultimately, the biggest drawback may be realizing that you are paying more money for the exact same whiskey, iced tea, and fruit that you can get in any bar.

Here’s the deal: Mazzo is certainly a very interesting bar to go to. Comfortable ambience a good bar does not make, but in this case it certainly helps a lot. It is good to see that the club’s management took the extra time to really make the interior as appealing as possible. However, watch out for crowds and high prices.

What’s Memorable – Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. Even without the dance numbers or gimmicks of other places, there are still plenty of things to keep you engaged and interested.

What’s Forgettable – The music is not entirely forgettable, but a number of talented DJs and MCs could certainly do more.

The Last Thing You Need to Know – Check it out for a different kind of vibe, but be prepared for a higher price tag. Still, it is definitely worth visiting if you are into the club scene.

- J. R. On the Scene