WTF is up with Guangzhou's bar scene?!

[Dr. Mandy Walter-Reichert]

Oh my god, I really have to vent about the current chaos in Guangzhou's bar scene!! It's just a complete mess!

First, let's talk about the chaos of these "Bar Party Organizers" (Promoters):

• These so-called "party organizers" are popping up like mushrooms after a rain, and they’ve even copied tactics from pyramid schemes, trying to recruit people under them, layer upon layer!
• The entire chain is a confusing mess; every time you want to join an activity (like a group making a collective payment for reserved seating, drinks and fun), you can’t help but wonder how many layers of brokers or touts you’re going through.
• You may have been looking forward to enjoying yourself, but what if you end up being assigned to a spot with poor view and lousy value (we call it “Indian card”; this term means being duped, or getting a terrible table or a very unfair offer)?
• It should be a carefree evening, but you feel like it’s suddenly turned into a tense adventure.

️ Caution: A tip for foreign tourists!:

• If you go through layered resellers to secure seating in Guangzhou bars, you might run into issues such as:
  • Charging Extra Fees: With so many intermediaries involved, each layer might raise the price, leaving you paying far more than you expected.
  • Bad Placement/Dissatisfactory Service: Maybe you’ll be placed in a no-man’s land where nobody would sit, or you’ll be given some unprofitable bundle of beverages.
  • Compromised Experience: Rather than enjoying your night out, you spend it worried about being taken advantage of, making this an utterly frustrating experience.
• How to Avoid These Problems?:
  • Find the Official or Well Reputation Staff: Try securing bookings directly via the bar's official channels or those who work directly with the bar and have good reputations.
  • Clarify Details: Be clear on what you’re paying for, specifically ask what's included, and make sure to avoid vague or unclear promises or guarantees.

Next, there’s the issue of the exorbitant prices and lack of value :

• Now, "sham deals" are everywhere, (meaning low prices that come with awful service or beverage quality, or attract with unreasonable low prices but have hidden pitfalls)!
• Some guys just want to gather 20-30 RMB (3-4 USD), yet they expect to eat well, drink well, and have a bunch of women surrounding them or an exclusive seating arrangement (which we call “women encirclement” and “lock the table,” meaning they will lock themselves inside a seating arrangement to avoid being joined by strangers).
• Seriously? Don’t you think you’re asking for something far beyond the price you’d offer? With 30 RMB (approximately the average cost of a couple mediocre bubble tea drinks), they expect royal treatment at bars? How ridiculous!

Although I am also a bar promoter myself, I always believe you get what you pay for!

• Based on market price, I offer corresponding services and drinks. I don’t play games or confuse people with fanciful schemes.
• What the price offers, I’ll tell clearly and straightforwardly! Whether you want to directly book your own card seat (“booking”), join others’ activities (“activity joining”), please feel free to find me!

So, I genuinely hope Guangzhou’s bar scene will get cleaned up, and bring back a calm and positive environment for us patrons who truly wish to have a good time and for honest promoters like myself!

[Dr. Wade Boyer]

Guangzhou: Daily high-quality 'emo' (social deduction game, think Among Us/Werewolf) lobbies. DM to join!