Chinese New Year 2012

As if the Li Po Cocktail Lounge could be any more apocalyptically ruinous, any more reminiscent of an alternate Blade Runner populated by toothless old Chinese men and hipsters in ironic cat sweaters – try going there on the Chinese New Year. The street recedes into a cacophony of smoke, flickering signage, firecracker flashbangs and this year, rain. A sort of neon noir that is pure, unadulterated, magical San Francisco.

Named after one of the greatest poets (and drunks) in China’s Tang period, this Chinatown institution has changed little since the 30′s as evidenced by these stills from Orson Wells The Lady from Shaghai. Go there. Now.