The Guangzhou Party Guide is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:
- New York, New York
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Guangzhou, China
- Hong Kong
- Shenzhen, China
- Sanya, China
Overview
China today is what I imagine NYC to be like in the 70’s and 80’s. The clubs are packed and the alcohol never stops flowing. While I still regard Shanghai as the best party city in China, Guangzhou comes in second. There are many places to go but I will start with the least crazy to see if you can keep up.
The Roof Bar at the Park Hyatt Guangzhou
The Roof Bar is located on the 70th floor of the Park Hyatt Guangzhou. It offers impeccable views of the city and the Canton Tower. If you’re staying at the Park Hyatt, make sure the hotel makes a reservation for a spot outside. A drink will run you around $16 so it’s best not to stick around too long. Also, the live entertainment was very weird. It was three expats singing top 40 off-key, “And I wish I never met her at all.”
Nova Club
The hotel recommended Nova Club. Apparently, many celebrities go there. When I went, it was empty and full of really young people. The only celebrity in the house was T to the Izz-o, TPOL.
7-Eleven (Intermission)
If you’re hopping from bar to bar, stop at a 7-Eleven along the way. The drinks in Guangzhou can get pricey so it’s worth staying hydrated with Tsingtao beer when in route.
Catwalk
You better have a lot of energy if you plan on going to Catwalk. The place is insane. The first step is to get past the doorman who will hand you a card with a message printed in English that says that the club is at capacity. Act confused and just go inside.
The Pearl River
If it was last call in the US, it would be time to go home. In Guangzhou, this means that it is time to move the party to the Pearl River. I do not know all of the names of all the places that line the river but there are many to choose from. At one of the venues, we were given the same ‘capacity’ excuse. This time I flashed the Grand Hyatt hotel key and was personally escorted to the bar.
The Aftermath
Now that you’ve lost your hearing, it is time to have street food and make friends with the vendors.
you are a riot!
Wait for tomorrow’s post on how to make friends in China
NYC in the late 70’s, early 80’s was not about the alcohol, it was about the drugs. And the subways smelled, but I digress. Are chinese people really any fun to drink with???
Yeah some clubs in China have too many guys in the stall at one time sniffling too. And yes they are great. See post tomorrow