Accidental Expat

Windows Underground is on an amazing little street- 698 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Wujiang Lu and the People’s Square.

This place is actually a franchise, with a reputation for cheap drinks, good music, and a dive bar atmosphere. I arrive and see the little “Windows” sign, and go through the entrance.

Live Music at Windows

While going down the stairs (obviously the bar is underground), there are hilarious Simpsons signs illustrating the rules of the bar, i.e. no prostitution (Homer groping a lady), no overdrinking (Bart with a hungover), etc.

Unfortunately, WU charges an 80 RMB cover on Friday and Saturday nights, with a measly coupon for only a 10 RMB drink. Thankfully, drinks are pretty cheap here.

Enter Windows: one large room, easy to see everything that’s going on. Small bar at the right, bathrooms and lockers along the left. Playing pool or foosball will cost you a small 10 RMB fee, and small “floor” in the corner of the club complemented by a teetering stage. Our group sits down and the waitress demands that we order a bottle. We settle on a cheap Smirnoff with orange juice, final price was about 300 but we used the little coupons to settle it down to 200. Drinks arrive, and we sip on them while watching soccer on 5 large HD screens around the club.

I go off to explore the bar. I look at the drink menu, and I collapse in shock. You know those flame towers they have at Richy for 80 RMB? Well, Windows has it for 30 RMB. Granted, they don’t provide the 2 weak juice cocktails to chase with, but I’m here just for the hard stuff. I buy two, followed by a Long Island (also 30 RMB), and achieve a good buzz for the night. Other drink prices- cheapest cocktail is a screwdriver at 15, maxing out at 30 with Long Islands and flame towers. Beers are 8-15 RMB. Bottle of wine is about 150, and alcohol ranging from 250-500.

WU has a reputation for providing great live music, usually western bands. The music will get progressively louder as the night progresses. We go up the stage and start dancing.

A girl I will nickname Air Conditioner falls down from drinking too much and I have to carry her over to the bathroom. The waitress that served our group before scowls at me. I sit down at our old table (now wiped clean) to wait while Air Conditioner pukes in the ladies room. The waitress comes over and asks me to order a bottle. What the Hell? I tell her our group was just here less than 30 minutes ago and we’ve already ordered. She stares at me for another 5 seconds and walks away. Goddamn worst short-term memory I’ve ever witnessed.

As for the social scene, there’s a couple of expats lounging around, trying to go after some local tail. This may not be the place to go wild, but come to Windows if you like to lounge.