By Jim Boyce | Sad news that veteran cocktail bar Mokihi on Lucky Street closed, a bar that helped further establish the quality drink scene here in Beijing. Mokihi was opened by Motonari Uchiyama, who long-timers might also remember from his past projects with Daisuke Onishi, places like Twilight and Er. Both were early partners in Apothecary.
The good news: Uchiyama’s newer Mokihi bar, in Sanlitun’s 3.3 building, is still open as are Onishi’s VinVino, a wine and tapas bar, and Tora Tori-Ya Yakitori and Highball Bar.
Mokihi on Lucky Street had a speakeasy feel at a time when such venues weren’t so ubiquitous, and fit into what regulars came to expect at Er and Twilight. It offered a modestly sized comfortably lit space, with a dozen or so seats, where you could expect capable service, well-made drinks — I veered toward the Aviation — and a “get away from it all” atmosphere. It’s sad to see Mokihi close but good that both Uchiyama and Onishi are still very active in the bar scene.
* * *
Get regular Beijing updates via my Instagram and Twitter feeds. Also see my sibling sites Grape Wall of China, World Baijiu Day and World Marselan Day. Help cover the hosting and other costs of these sites with a WeChat, AliPay or PayPal donation.
* * *
Leave a Reply