For over a decade now, Vics has stood tall as the King of Gongti, remaining perennially popular with a shifting crowd of horny, multicultural youngsters. But youngsters grow up, and at the dawning of their thirties, now with a thickening waistline and a self-imposed 2am curfew, many people have simply grown out of the idea that grimly thrusting away on a sweaty student dancefloor constitutes a dignified evening out.
Hence this grown-up version of the 10-year-old bastion. V+ Lounge – yes, the ‘V’ stands for Vics – cries out from the elevator about how damned important it is, with a special bejewelled elevator button – so your finger feels all VIP just pressing it. Classy. Candles and flowers adorn the entrance, while a de rigueur gaggle of solemn-faced greeters take you to your table. The interior of V+ Lounge is fantastic, all dark wooden tables and grand leather thrones, plus a grand view down to the Workers’ Stadium that’s perfect for both skinflint football fans and potential snipers.
A small dancefloor sits in front of the DJ, who plays early evening chilled lounge music before changing up a bit to chilled house. A second floor features a whiskey-tasting section and enclosed private areas, while on the other side of the club is a members-only section (annual entry fees begin at 50,000RMB) with its own private bar.
The toilets in this exclusive area have a transparent window-wall that serves up a picturesque urban mural to gaze upon as you sit, while offering, in the overlooking residential towers, prime real-estate for telescope-owning perverts.
The drinks list, meanwhile, is extensive: well-prepared and affordable cocktails (50-70RMB), 20 different bottles of champagne (550-CrazyRMB), a vast selection of single malts (upwards of 60RMB) and a well-chosen, detailed wine list.
As much as we all adored the good old days of ladies’ nights – the vomiting and catfights, the bleak trudge to work on a Thursday morning, the growing realisation that the one-night stand in your bed will probably nick your camera before leaving – it’s probably time to start acting like an adult. V+ Lounge is a fine place to do just that. Ross Goulding