After Hours... China: Xi’an, Shaanxi!

Kai had already told me about certain 'After Hours' venues that Xi'an offered something extra, I wanted to see those establishments for myself! Wetherspoons in China? A close contender served something very similar! Dancing into the night with a smattering of Drag talent served, sure the temperature was turned up when those muscly go-go dancers came out! There's more! 

Kai's choice for my third drink was an absolute winner, 'Commune' was about to become my favourite franchise bar in China, I just knew it! I had serious flashbacks from those Wuhan nights because Commune's vibe reminded me of those 'beer bars' I used to frequent with my Wuhan Bestie, Fiona. Those drinks offers were off the scale and that wasn't a bad thing because I was able to get two Long Island Ice Tea's for only 80 RMB! Setting me back around 4 GBP for a drink when converted back to British Pounds, I had to pinch myself because that price was amazing! Doubled parking those drinks would either be the best or worst thing but I was willing to take that risk during that early evening moment in Xi'an. Kai chose to drink a mixed drink like myself but with much less alcohol, our drinking habits would so be revealed. Putting the world to rights, it was another great chance for me and Kai to talk about life! Kai was about to see that our views surrounding our parents would differ and that wasn't a bad thing! Advice incoming! 

Kai had been given the runaround by his parents that morning, with my visit already very brief it did come across that his parents expected him to drop his plans for them without question. We both shared our experiences, for me it's clear that living in Asia sets the precedence that I handle my communication with my Mum very differently. I assured Kai that he can both be present for his parents but they should respect the fact that he's a grown ass man with his own life to live, compromise was the remedy! His Mom called him, telling him that he would need to meet with the interior designer the next morning, taking a deep breath he confronted his parent with a mature stance, compromising that he would meet with the interior designer in the afternoon because he was with his friend. It was great to cheers to a step towards Kai making key choices for himself, toasting that his parents cannot have it their way all the time! Ordering about six more drinks, I carried on knocking back those drinks solo because Kai had called it a night! Go!

Ordering a tactical pizza at Commune was the only clever decision that I would make that whole night, it was all about to get rather interesting from that point there on! Ordering a taxi bound for 'Pink' was the plan, I was actually fine even though I had knocked back some serious drinks but that APP taxi really had me making a route recalculation before I had even set off for that nightclub. Not a mood, Xi'an! Straight up, it felt correct that I was back out in Xi'an after that lengthy hiatus because back in 2016 I had no actual idea that Xi'an boasted three Gay clubs! Well, I am sure that not all of them had been in operation back then but the fact I got the chance to return allowed me to try them! Kai had took himself back to his Aunt's apartment and had left a key in the meter cupboard, I had to keep half of my faculties together because that building wasn't like my Ningbo apartment building. From those two initial cans to those cocktails, Xi'an told me that the night had only just started! Oh, a second taxi had to be called! Not a mood, Xi! 

I arrived at Pink with no expectations, I had been to another one of Xi'an's Gay clubs the previous night but that snapshot of a visit did not count! I walked down a set of stairs with no entry fee required, that made up for the extra journey time. Out of nowhere I saw a troupe of Drag performers descend upon the main stage, I was in for a right old surprise! A K-POP number they did lip-sync to, I was totally into that impromptu performance! I never say no to Drag and that was my first taste of Chinese Drag since my night-out in Dalian during 2019! That Xi'an Drag revue was short but very much appreciated, after speaking to the owner of the club, those queens had a very good boss indeed! After talking to some guys at the tables, you already know that I got a WeChat QR code scanned! I saw two showers being turned on! What kind of show was I about to see? Two Speedo wearing muscle hunks came out onto to that side-stage with a very suggestive shower show to admire! Oh, the night was about to turn into morning! 

I had a certain address, that Chinese writing told me that I was about to experience something like I had done in Chengdu back in 2015! I wasn't joking, I was looking for a certain end to the night, sunrise was imminent but I knew what to do! Those darkened side streets did have me wondering whether Kai had given me the right address? Sure, he had given me the correct information, I was about to find out! I actually had no idea where I was, neither did I have any clue which floor this final super-secret establishment was even located! From out of nowhere, a guy came over to me as I stood in the entrance to that older looking residential building. In Chinese he asked what I was looking for, supplying him with a suitable answer he ushered me up some stairs and into what looked like an apartment. It honestly didn't look like an apartment, those finer details do not need to be voiced because China keeps certain things on the down and low. I like that way also! Let's just say, I paid my fee and followed several of the required steps.

Like many experiences post-Pandemic in China I fared to be the only foreigner within that environment, for that reason alone I was not mad about that! Absolutely not, quite the opposite! As the narrow corridors became more narrow, a series of warren like situations appeared before my eyes. Were they hard up for the electric bill or something? I had the funds to lend them for sure! Obviously that darkened theme was intended, sure certain things happened and with my faculties together, I enjoyed myself with safety in mind. As morning almost broke, I headed back towards Kai's Aunt's apartment without any issues. I had enjoyed myself a lot that night and morning, no regrets! Finding the key was one thing, that apartment building really gave me the runaround! Sleeping off most of the nights debauchery, I woke up feeling rather tender, not well I was! That night-out was just what I had needed, it allowed me to feel free on so many levels, making the most of that weekend I most certainly did! What happens in Xi'an, stays in Xi'an! 

Into The Dark...

Desperately Seeking Adventure