NANJINGNOW

Often times, nightlife and clubbing in Nanjing are associated first and foremost with 1912. After all, this district of bars, restaurants, and KTV’s is easily accessible, open, and has some of the better known names in the city. Of these, A8 is definitely a place to look into if this is your sort of scene.

In the past, A8 was passed by, as people often went to its competitor and neighbor, Little Scarlet. However, with the growth of 1912, competition has increased and increasing numbers of bars are becoming more active. Right now, this is certainly the case for A8. If you are looking for a club you can enter in the evening and leave around 3 in the morning, A8 is certainly a good choice. By the very, very late hours, A8 will certainly not have as many people as a few other bars (namely Scarlet), but the party is fun while it lasts.

A8 can be set apart from other bars for a number of reasons. First is the creative interior decoration of the club – there are two dance floors, one if which is located on a stage behind the bar. Drunk, brave, or exceptionally confident patrons can opt to show off their moves in ready view of the majority of the club. There are also poles for those who are feeling especially secure of their abilities. At several points in the evening, patrons as ushered off the stage so that performances can begin. These performances range from standard go-go dances to some very surreal themes, sometimes involving aliens.

A welcome feature of A8 is a clearly defined and moderately sized dance floor. Often times, one can feel that dance floors in Nanjing are being increasingly encroached upon by the addition of more and more tables. This results in a generally unpleasant experience, and few people really want to be crunched by random dancers as they sit down for a drink with their friends. Generally speaking, this is minimized in A8, though there are some tables that encroach on the floor. Despite this there is generally enough room for no one to get squashed into their pitchers of whiskey and iced tea.

One of the most important aspects of any bar is the music, and (in this reporter’s opinion), this is an area where many bars and clubs in Nanjing are seriously lacking. Frankly speaking, if you want good club music, go to Shanghai. Nanjing’s clubs often sound like they are playing ‘Now’ CD’s from ten years ago. A8’s music, while certainly not on par with that of the best DJ’s in other parts of China, is definitely listenable. The club plays an interesting if not eclectic mix of hip hop, Chinese and Western pop, and house. The vast majority of songs are mainstream; there is little to no chance of hearing some experimental hip hop like Talib Kweli or underground trance. DJ’s are adequate at mixing, but just don’t expect to hear anything drastically new.

In terms of the menu, A8 is pretty standard and in line with the rest of the bars in 1912, if not Nanjing as a whole. Standard combinations include the whiskey and iced tea set, complete with fruit platter and obligatory plate of duck necks. Prices range from 400 to 800 RMB for a good amount of alcohol, and if you go with a group of four or five people, each person paying 100 RMB is certainly enough to ensure everyone’s happily drunk within the hour.

The bottom line is quite simple: A8 is a standard example of a Nanjing style bar. The music is decent, the drinks are reasonably priced, and the ambience is acceptable. It is certainly a good place to hang out, but if you are looking for a totally new experience, it might be best to look elsewhere.What’s Memorable: Some dance numbers; the decorations of the club; and a generally good environment.

What’s Forgettable: Music, though certainly good, doesn’t strive to break any new ground or introduce new ideas to the scene; a menu that is pretty much the same as every other bar or club in Nanjing

The Last Thing You Need to Know: A8 is certainly a good time, but it would be nice to see the club try some new things.

- J. R. On the Scene