Oriented, a club hosting a monthly networking event, brings the first night of the year to Latinos, featuring free drinks and snacks for early birds. Colombian band Expression Latina takes over when the name card swapping ends.

Free

Time/date: 7-9 pm, January 30

Location: Latinos, at the south gate of Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6507-9898

Super Monday

Take the morning off and come watch the big game at the Gloria Plaza Hotel's Sports City Cafe. Beijing's Superbowl Bash will feature a fantastic brunch buffet, including coffee, mimosas, prizes and giveaways galore.

Tickets: 100 yuan (US$12) including the buffet, coffee and tea, and one cocktail.

Time/date: 9 am-noon, January 27

Location: Sports City Cafe, 3/F Gloria Plaza Hotel, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district

Tel: 6515-8855 ext 3349

Yan Club

Opened two months ago, Yan has brought out a new concept in the club scene: the art club. With more than 1000 sqm and a capacity for 800 people, the club has been organizing dance, music, theatre, dance and experimental art for over two months.

At present, except for being a normal bar serving drinks and snacks, it also features an exhibition of recent ink and colour paintings by celebrated Chinese artist Fang Xiang. The exhibition called Canton Surprise depicts scenes of traditional southern Chinese houses, gardens and courtyards.

Location: Yan Club, 4 Jiuxianqiao, north of Holiday Inn Lido, near the Hongyuan Apartment, Chaoyang District

Tel: 8457-3506

ClubFootball Centre

Armchair football fans pining for clashes from football's most exciting league, the English Premiership, can indulge themselves in some crackers at the ClubFootball Centre.

See www.wanguoqunxing.com for location and full schedule

Location: Chunxiu Lu, Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.

Tel: 6417-0495

White Cube

Located near Beijing's most famous and scenic areas, the Drum and Bell towers and Houhai lake, White Cube has been opened for half year. As well as being a bar that serves drinks from 5 to 20 yuan (60 cents to US$2.4), it is also a place to enjoy art and the food of Yunnan. Yunnan food is available at lunch time and evening 6 to 10 pm.

At present, White Cube features aspiring painter Liu Ye's solo exhibition.

Time/date: 11 am-2 am, January 13 to January 25

Location: 38 Mao'er Hutong, Di'anmen Dajie, Dongcheng District

Tel: 6401-1675

Shangpingwang

As a teahouse, a tailor shop, a gallery and a small theatre, Shangpingwang features drama on Saturday nights. Students from the Central Academy of Drama and other drama groups from universities in Beijing give performances on the small stage in the courtyard teahouse. When the show is going on, the shop is candle-lit, giving the place a very pleasant, cozy atmosphere.

Location: 3 Jingshan Qianjie, opposite the Watch Tower of the Forbidden City, at the northeast corner of the T-crossing, Dongcheng District

Hours: noon to 10 pm (2 am three months later), drama performances start at 8 pm every Saturday night, tickets priced at 50 yuan (US$4.80) including snacks and tea

Tel: 6400-9372

(Beijing Weekend January 14, 2003)