It wasn't long ago that if one wanted a cold, reasonably priced beer, in a relaxed environment in Chongqing they had to go to the "outside bar," aka "the umbrellas," in Jeifengbei.  And if the weather were (as it is now) miserable, you were better ditching the beer for the 'warmth' of your own home, or over-extending your stay at a hot-pot restaurant(if that's even possible) to slurp down bottles of Shan Cheng away from the elements.  

Thankfully my friends, those times are no longer upon us, as Chongqing now has a variety of well priced, non-deafening watering hulls that appease to both foreigners and locals alike.  With a growing beer list, featuring brews from Laos(15RMB Beer Laos) to Germany, and properly made cocktails such as the signature "Caribou Lou," the newest of which, billed as Chongqing's 'only reggae bar,' is Da Rasta.  

Located in the student-centric hub of Shapingba, Da Rasta, with its reggae, or 'rasta' inspired motif is a great new option for those who enjoy pool/billiard, darts, or conversation with their booze.  As befits the name, a steady stream of island rhythms makes up the typical soundtrack at Da Rasta, though the friendly staff are willing to accomodate a variety of musical tastes, just so long as it isn't death-metal or something equally obtrusive that you yearn for.  And if you fancy yourself an intellectual, or just need an excuse to drink on Tuesdays(for free if you win),  Da Rasta is host to Chongqing's only trivia night, every week at 21:00

Address: 重庆沙坪坝区(汉渝路/工人村)优派青年公寓B懂(near Hanyu Lu Bus station)
Phone: 18623364003

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As 2010 comes to an end, I'm left to reflect on the year that was.  Doing so evokes memories of events, and changes Chongqing has seen in the past year; CQ beer festival, legitimate western food, an Irish Pub, and main-stream media coverage. But what stick out in my mind most of all is the music.  For 2010 was a great year for music in a city often referred to as a cultural desert.
 And as I look out my window into a thick haze of urbanization, I try to recall where, for me, the year started.  Of course I could say January 1, or February 14(Chinese lunar new year), but anyone who's been here as long as I have knows that due to the perma-grey skies, and bone chilling weather December through February,  new year's  day in Chongqing might as well be March 1.  Or in my case, March 13.

March 13 is when I was blown away by Shanghai via Guizhou singer/MC ChaCha at Nuts Club, where many of my fondest memories form 2010 took place.  Not to mention a mere few days later when I had a night out with the infamous Dead Elvis, which included a vomitus high schooler, and a tranny-bar. Or on April first when a Norwegian Jazz trio played, featuring one of the sick-nastiest drummers I'd ever seen.  And later that spring when, 2 of China's best producers of electronic music, Liman and Sulumi(particularly Liman) rocked CiCi Park, Carsick Cars(in its original line-up) and 24Hours, played great high-energy sets at a near empty Nuts Club, Reptile Retard taking the energy through the roof with their unique style of "techno-soul," and Maybe Mars' return to Chongqing with Ourself Beside Me before the lull of summer.
And as the weather started to drop, the calendar began to fill-up, beginning in September with three nights of non-stop music from bands both foreign and local to celebrate Nuts Club's 3rd anniversary, featuring Chongqing's best Narrenschiff, BendT., The Wheels, and The Deep Green Sea.  As well as spectacular performances by Seattle freak-folksters the Cave Singers, and 'psycho-billy' band Knuckle Bone Oscar from Denmark.  October saw the return of ChaCha, this time with the entire Uprooted Sunshine Soundsystem, as well as legendary reggae producer Clive Chin. And later that fall when, recently named 'best band in China' Miserable Faith played to a packed house, Beijing up-and-comers Guai Li made their Chongqing debut and American instrumentalist Daniel Hart  pulled off an excellent rendition of 'One Night in Beijing,' with his violin and dance-pad.  Before the year was rounded out by two of my favorite bands from China's east coast, Dalian's Wang Wen, and Boys Climbing Ropes from Shanghai.  

Its hard to believe so much has happened in so little time.  It was no more than a year and half ago when Chongqing's live music options were limited to the odd show in a dark, dank, basement of a youth hostel, and the even more rare occurrence of 'dance' or 'electronic-music' parties.  And to think, the above is a mere selection from the artists' performances that stick out in my mind, having left out acclaimed artist, both foreign and domestic.  

The aforementioned local band The Deep Green Sea celebrated their 8th anniversary on New Year's day.  Having seen them a dozen or so times, I was once again captivated by their somewhat eerie, somewhat funky, chilled-out sound.  And if Chongqing's first 2011 show is anything to go buy, we should be in for yet another great year music, in what may be the only 'desert' in the world that is not expanding, but shrinking.