By Matt P. Jager (thatsbj.com)
Updated: 2008-04-09 10:05

So the boss of Cavern got tired of running her Lido pub, or something like that, and a young couple came over from the UK to take over the place. They’re calling it Metro now, because they thought “Underground” might give the wrong connotations (though the bar logo is written on top of the barred ring of the London Underground).

Since they’ve inherited a space with a loyal group of area patrons, they’re not changing a whole lot. The most visible difference is a refurbished entryway, replacing the busty Cavern paste-on lettering with a pleasant facade. The regulars don’t seem to have a beef with the new management. One crusty Midwestern construction man expressed approval for the new house band, a Filipino outfit called J Brother that plays rousing crowd favorites every Friday and Saturday from 8-11pm. The happy hour hits daily from 6-9pm, with deals on the two drafts (RMB 15 for Carlsberg, RMB 25 for Stella). At print time, the kitchen wasn’t running, so Metro started getting full from the post-dinner drink crowd around nine.

The owners are in the process of tweaking the old menu, but sticking with American bar grub. With foozball, pool, darts, a cover band, and burgers on the way, Metro looks likely to remain a modest, anonymous Lido local with an enormous bomb-shelter door.

Bar Metro
6pm-late.
Bldg 8, Fangyuang Nanli Xiqu, Jiangtai Xilu (beneath the 24-hour supermarket), Chaoyang District
139 1129 4942