LOCATED on the second floor of a supreme real-estate property, Jutingmingyuan Building at Bao'an Road South, the Michell's House Bar resembles a friendly neighborhood gathering place with good music.

One gets into the bar by shoving aside a huge scarlet-colored curtain, and the Michell's immediately presents a touch of casualness and hominess.

With lamp poles, Chinese wooden window engravings, car plates, and signatures of visitors on surrounding walls, the bar reflects a combination of Chinese and Western sentiments.

Adjacent to the tables and stools is the dance floor, large enough to hold a reveling swarm. It is the livliest part of the bar and visitors can even swing and shake on a nearby huge marble bar table.

A DJ plays some latest tunes, plus jazz and blues. Many foreigners, including some excellent dancers, are attracted to the place by the music. More than half of the visitors are expatriates.

Staff here speak some English, at least they could take an expatriate's order quickly and correctly.

"Above all, customers love the friendly atmosphere at my place. New comers would not be estranged by cold stares from frequent goers," said Michelle Xu, the bar owner.

She is outspoken. "I always try to create a free and relaxing environment for visitors, but I don't allow illicit deeds at my bar. Once, a drunken guy came in to hook girls, mumbling dirty words. He dared to bother some female visitors. I slapped him on his face and pushed him out. I will keep the bar safe and dope-free," she said.

Safe and free of drugs, the Michell's took an action to strengthen the concept. Last week, it introduced its membership cards.

"There are too many visitors at weekends. It is difficult to maintain the safety in it, so I decided to issue membership cards. I am clear that it will result in a loss of visitors, but, you know, I was scared by gang fights that happened months ago at another bar."

Xu, a former employee at a foreign enterprise in Shanghai, opened the bar seven months ago.

"I visited the Goodfellas (a bar in Shekou) during my tour to Shenzhen one year ago. I was attracted by the bar's music and atmosphere, then I decided to open my own."

"Things have been running smoothly since the opening of the bar. Visitors can expect a better look and better service when all the redecorating is finished in the near future," Xu said.

 
Editor: Wings