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Eight Years

Before it became the Spittoon Literary Arts Collective — featuring events every week in Beijing, with footprints in multiple cities — Spittoon was just a poetry night. It began at Mado eight years ago, a hutong bar with rare absinthe on the shelves and friendly faces at every table. Readers spoke under dingy lighting in front of a wall with a cannabis leaf painted on it. The space wasn’t big, but the sound was good, and the crowds, no matter how drunk, were attentive. One Thursday per month, Spittoon Poetry Night was a guaranteed good time — a shot of inspiration followed by a shot of whisky with owner and bartender David Bond.

Mado is no more, gone the way of so many establishments in the community. But Spittoon persisted, finding new homes in Ballhouse, Camera Stylo, and Chill Bar. Eight years on, the story continues the best way it knows how: with readings, performances, creativity, and expression — old friends and soon-to-be friends, over a good drink.

The Anniversary Weekend

The festivities on Saturday May 27th, 2023 began at 3pm with the official launch of the latest issue of the Spittoon Literary Magazine. At 6pm the party moved to Nugget, with a Spittunes show starting at 8pm followed by a set by pop-punk duo Nils & Chris.

Nugget prepared two specialty cocktails for the occasion. Spittoon 8 — a tropical twist on the gimlet using fresh rosemary and Frankie Zou’s VICU gin. And The Matt Burn — a nod to Spittoon founder Matthew Byrne, who would approve of the alcohol level. A Long Island Iced Tea on steroids, with spiced rum and blue curaçao.

The Legacy

While Matthew left China during the pandemic, returning to the greener pastures of England, his legacy lives on. And the bars of Beijing do as well, even as so many have closed — and will continue to close. It is a reminder that there is no better time than the present, no matter what that might look like. As long as we’re here, we have the power to shape it.

“If it ever gets too bad, you can start your own story over a drink.”

Written by Anthony Tao. Originally published May 2023 on the Spittoon WeChat channel.