Fair points. Many foreigners advise carrying weapons around these days. However, I'm reluctant to do so at night, in case my judgement is impaired by alcohol or something.

I'd also argue that you should only go to the right kinds of bars. Which are probably hard to find in Zhengzhou, can't exactly imagine Boxing Cat brewery opening a new pub there any time soon.

Also, a lot of mafia guys that I have met in the past, tend to be rather friendly with foreigners for some reason.