Peh Shing Huei checks out the black market Olympics ticket scene in Beijing.

In Beijing

A QUIET pub in eastern Beijing projects the usual scene – dim lights, pool table and plenty of bar stools with seemingly self-absorbed drinkers. 

But surprisingly for a watering hole stuck in the middle of a residential area, far from the popular drinking haunts like Sanlitun, this nightspot was crowded on a weekday night.

The smooth draft Beijing beer and finger food were not the attractions either.

The main lure was tickets to the Olympic Games. 

While the official channels have sold out of the tickets, the black market in Beijing is alive and thriving. This pub is one location where tickets can be bought, and at a good price.

Every night, at about 10.30pm, a man will be there with a stack of tickets for events on the next day. Best of all, he sells at cover price. 

He has been touting the tickets in the day at a higher price outside the stadiums and these are the leftovers. 

So don't expect to get tickets to watch Liu Xiang sprint or Yao Ming dunk. Most of those on offer are for less popular sports like rowing and fencing. 

But even in the black market, there is order. 

After a previous night when there was a mad rush for tickets, with people swarming around the seller, a queuing system has been introduced – somewhat akin to seeing a doctor in a Singapore clinic. 

Numbers are given out according to a first-come-first-serve basis – based on entry time into the pub. 

But if you don't fancy staying up late to get tickets and do not mind paying more, there are other avenues. 

A self-proclaimed "Mr Beijing" sells tickets to sexier events in a hotel in southeast Beijing.

Alternatively, there is always the World Wide Web, where websites like www.goldentickets.com sell seats to marquee events. But be prepared to shell out US$4,500 for the basketball final - Yao Ming or no Yao Ming.