Chic cocktails and tapas under the stars for summer in Sanlitun

Beijing's chic, award-winning rooftop bar and lounge Fez Bar has re-opened for the summer in a new location at Nali Patio in Sanlitun - styled by the innovative Hong Kong designer and restaurateur David Yeo.

Fez Bar relocates from CH' IEN MEN 23, where it swept Time Out Beijing's 2009 Best Bar Design, Bartender and Cocktail Awards.

The exotic chill-out oasis for cool cocktails and tapas now returns atop Nali Patio with a Moorish and Mediterranean theme above newly-opened upscale Spanish restaurant Agua and is operated by the same owners - Aqua Restaurant Group of Hong Kong, London and Beijing.

The tent-style bar opens for al-fresco lounging from 5pm until late every day of the week through the summer serving cool cocktails and tapas.

Masterminding its eclectic cocktail menu is accomplished European mixologist Bob Louison. The French maestro has worked some of the most fashionable nightclubs in Europe and the United States, from Buddha Bar in Paris to L'Eden and Teatro Pereyra in Ibiza, Sugar Reef in London and Le Bateau Ivre in New York.

Signature and classic cocktails include Basilico, (vodka muddles with fresh lemon, basil, sugar syrup and blackberry liquor), Bloody Gazpacho (garlic infused vodka, homemade gazpacho, horseradish and peppered salt over ice), exquisite homemade infused vodkas (apple & vanilla or orange & ginger) and original infused rum recipes from Reunion island (pineapple & vanilla or coconut & vanilla).

Among Mediterranean and Middle East tapas on the menu are humus salad & walnuts, babaganush & sweet potato chips, Ibérico ham, homemade pork & duck liver terrine, and salmon tartar and green pepper escabeche.

The versatile venue is ideal for pre-dinner signature cocktails, after-dinner nightcaps, late night lounging, upscale parties and exclusive events under the stars.

Fez Bar is on the 6th floor of Nali Patio at No. 81 Sanlitun North Street in Chaoyang district, Beijing.

For further information or to make a reservation please call (86-10) 52 08 6138 or email bookings@aqua.com.hk

About Fez Bar

Beijing's award-winning bar and lounge Fez Bar is re-opened at a new rooftop location atop the Spanish nightlife and design enclave of Nali Patio in Sanlitun.

The exotic chill-out oasis for cool cocktails and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern tapas is open daily through the summer from 5pm-late.

It relocates from CH' IEN MEN 23, where it swept Time Out Beijing's 2009 Best Bar Design, Bartender and Cocktail Awards.

Fez Bar returns with a Moorish and Mediterranean theme above newly-opened upscale Spanish restaurant Agua and is operated by the same owners - Aqua Restaurant Group of Hong Kong, London and Beijing.

About Agua Beijing

Moorish-Mediterranean themed Agua Beijing is newly relocated to the fashionable Spanish nightlife and design enclave of Nali Patio in Sanlitun.

It is styled by internationally acclaimed Aqua Restaurant Group after a "chic Spanish brasserie which would look right at home in Barcelona, London or New York".

At its previous location, Agua Beijing was voted Beijing's 2009 Restaurant of the Year by lifestyle magazine City Weekend - with Executive Chef Jordi Valles voted Chef of the Year.

Its award-winning formula returns with superb contemporary Spanish cuisine and Beijing's finest Spanish wine cellar.

Exotic décor and design by Aqua group founder David Yeo incorporates coloured glass and brass lanterns from Morocco souks, natural Spanish woods, and Moorish windows and doors.

Signature dishes include Sergovia-style crispy suckling pig, Piquillo red peppers from northern Spain stuffed with tuna and the traditional Torrija served with a Catalan cream.

Popular with Beijing's Spanish community is 'Aperitivo' weekend brunch of authentic tapas, signature main courses and classic desserts, served on Saturdays and Sundays from noon-3pm - priced at RMB248 with free-flowing sangria for an extra RMB50.

Exclusive wines include unusual grape varietals, boutique growers and upcoming Spanish wine regions, with a wide choice of Spanish aperitifs, infused rums and signature cocktails.

Agua Beijing seats 77 in the main dining room with two glass-walled private dining rooms each seating seven, or combined to seat 14.

About the Aqua Restaurant Group

Ten years ago, former lawyer David Yeo launched his first 60 seat aqua restaurant on Hollywood Road with just 20 staff, and a vision to bring some of the chic restaurant buzz of New York, Tokyo and London to Hong Kong.

It proved such a phenomenal success that today Aqua Restaurant Group has grown to a formidable culinary empire of 20 groundbreaking outlets which embraces some of Hong Kong's most innovative and successful destination restaurants, a landmark boutique hotel, and talk of the town multi-faceted restaurants in London and Beijing. Today, Aqua Restaurant Group serves more than 700,000 customers every year and employs around 560 staff in Hong Kong, London and Beijing.

Throughout these ten years, aqua's fundamental philosophy has remained unchanged; to source the freshest highest quality produce, prepare it in a way where the true flavours shine and where food is presented in an aesthetically stunning manner.

This is coupled with service that is approachable and unobtrusive, and always in a jaw-droppingly stylish environment that features the very best of innovative Asian-inspired contemporary design, right down to the last small details, which has become the hallmark of the Aqua Group.

aqua group's signature restaurants, aqua and Hutong at One Peking Road in Tsim Sha Tsui have for several years been two of the most admired restaurants in Hong Kong, and a "must" for sophisticated visitors to Hong Kong.

The group has also taken everyday casual neighbourhood dining to a new level of sophistication with its trio of Soho and Wyndham street brasseries, tivo, vivo and ayuthaiya.

In 2009, aqua restaurant group expanded its portfolio to include aqua london, its first offering outside China. aqua london comprises three integrated parts: aqua nueva which offers a very modern take on the traditional cuisine of northern Spain; aqua kyoto, a contemporary Japanese restaurant and aqua spirit, a stylish pre and post-dining bar with three outdoor terraces and sweeping views over London's rooftops.

Located at 240 Regent Street in the heart of London's West End, aqua London has quickly became the in place to see and be seen.

Towards the end of 2009, in addition to bringing delectable cuisine to the hippest happening areas of Hong Kong, aqua restaurant group also set out to preserve Hong Kong's heritage. Hullett House is an intimate hotel with bespoke luxury suites and five restaurants housed in a magnificent colonial building dating from 1881, the Former Marine Police Headquarters on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The property is inspired by Hong Kong's rich and varied history over the last 150 years, with its unique blend of Chinese and British influences and a mix of old and new.

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Issued on behalf of Aqua Restaurant Group by Grebstad Hicks Communications.

For further information please contact:

In Beijing:

Rhoda Adams + 86 (0) 10 65 289 983

Rhoda.adams@ghcasia.com

In Hong Kong:

Virginia Ngai +852 2810 0532

Virginia.ngai@ghcasia.com