Houhai Area

In the Zone
By Gan Tian

Walking in the Houhai Xi Yan areas, Annie and I felt that it was totally different from what we experienced in the front areas. It was much cooler and quieter. We felt calmed after walking through those disco pubs. Here we saw some quiet pubs, and Zone was the first one opened in this part in 2003.

The pub owner, Zhao Yang, has a sister named Zuo Jia. He named the pub Zone because “Z” is the first letter of her name, and “one” indicates that this is the first one and there certainly would be the second, or third branch of the pub in the future.

Zhao invited a Macao local chef here to serve you. There is not a certain flavor in the pub, but you can taste typical Macao Baozaifan – Rice cooked under the pot, which is a little bit salty.

Zhao made this pub look like a typical ancient Southern architecture. Tiles and bricks, I felt like sitting in a small town in Southern China. Zhao got these materials from a Wangfu – a palace where a Prince lived – torn down in 2002.

There is a special seat, which is higher than others, is located in the center of the pub. You first take off your shoes – those who wear holes-stocks please don’t try – and climb a stair to sit there. Raise up your head and you can see those bamboo roof. Just imagine, sitting there and tasting coffee or tea with your friends …

“For some youths, they might like noisy and crowded disco, but here, some elder guys can enjoy another environment,” said Zhao. As he mentioned, many high-ranked officials of government, bosses of international companies, and artists would like to drop on here frequently to taste their alcohols.

Zone
Where: No 12, Houhai Xi Yan, Xicheng
Open: 1pm-midnight
Tel: 8403 1419
Cost average: 50-100 yuan above