G3

Adhering to Gongti norms, this nightspot is dark, large and of the whisky with tea variety

The phlegmatic gods of neon have hacked up another beauty on the Gongti Xi Lu strip. G3 is yet another large, dark venue catering to the kind of crowd that like their dancefloors small and their whisky with green tea.

Adhering strictly to the Gongti Xi Lu uniform, G3 is covered in pulsing alien neon lights, the flash bar area features bottle-twirling barmen and there are plenty of KTV rooms.

When entering you’ll always be accompanied by someone from the front desk leading you in to the club; when we went they were very insistent that we choose somewhere to sit, they really didn’t want us wandering around – in these clubs people often stick rigidly to their table and aren’t necessarily looking to mingle.

The music on the opening night started out with pleasant soulful tunes then segued uncomfortably into booty-shaking hip hop. The sound system is loud and crisp, but with no real space to dance it just means that conversations need to be shouted.

Drinks prices are reassuringly affordable: in these dark times when 70RMB is rapidly becoming the average price for a drink, G3’s 25RMB Tsingtao’s and 50RMB mixers were a pleasant surprise.

All in all, G3 doesn’t do anything vastly different to its neighbours, and this will probably lead to it being a success.

No matter how many identikit clubs open they always seem to stay open and full, whereas bars that take more of a risk seem to close down regularly. If you’re part of the undeniable majority who appreciate this particular style of nightclub then G3 is well worth a visit.

3 Gongti Xi Lu, Chaoyang district (6553 6699). Open daily 8.30pm-late. 朝阳区工体西路3号.