On 3 December the Shelter kicks off its second anniversary celebration, in customary Shelter style. TALK caught up with general manager Gareth Williams to find out what celebrations are in store, what two years means to him, and how the underground bar plans to improve its notorious air quality.

So how would you sum up the past two years at the Shelter?

Erm...that’s a good one to start with. It’s been an amazing experience. Before the Shelter opened there wasn’t really anything like us in Shanghai. We figured it would work as an idea but we weren’t expecting the level of success we’ve had. Musically, and in terms of events, it has exceeded all our expectations.

Does anything standout as a highlight for you during you time running The Shelter?

There’s been two. Clive Chin the other week was amazing. The whole experience from having him in Shanghai, to the music he played was amazing. For sure that was one of them. And then the New Year’s and Halloween parties we have had have been brilliant.

And in terms of DJs?

The local DJs are amazing and always put on a good show.  Some of the guest DJs we have had have been great. Kid Koala, Cut Chemist, and Roni Size were amazing. There has been so many.

What would you attribute to the success of Shelter?

Number one, the promoters. We know them personally and make sure that they know the music well. They all have such great knowledge in their particular fields and that means we always have good music. Then, there’s the press. The press has been really supportive and given us loads of publicity.

What sets you apart from the other clubs in Shanghai that seem to be closing down all the time?

I think a lot of bars don’t concentrate on the music enough. They just want to make the space look plush and VIP. That’s why the Shelter is just a black box with a sound system. We don’t have any flashing lights...it’s just good music. Those other clubs and bars also all play the same music. It’s all R’n’B and commercial house.

Another thing we have tried to do is keep it affordable. We want everyone to be able to come not just the fat cats, and expats with loads of cash. At the same time we have tried to avoid getting a rep as a cheap bar to drink in -- it’s a difficult balance to get right. A while back we won an award for like cheapest or best budget bar. And like that’s not even an award I want to collect.

So what’s next for the Shelter?

Well, after the anniversary weekend we are shutting our doors until New Years to do a bit of work on the club. Over the past year the Shelter has taken a bit of a beating. We are putting in a new floor to replace the concrete one, adding some ventilation, and doing the toilets up. But we are going to keep the unique feeling that the Shelter has. Once we re-open we have DJ Krush, LTJ Bukem and DJ Food all coming in the first couple of months.

This anniversary party...what’s it all about?

It’s a three-day thing. It starts on the Thursday with the Karma-Koma. We have Downstate coming all the way from the UK for the one night. Then we have SIG and LON playing as well it’s going to be a really good night. Friday’s going to mad we got a guy called Subculture. And then Saturday we have one of the originators of Dubstep playing...Distance. That’s going to be extra special.

Any surprises?

Yeah, of course, but they are surprises.

The Shelter, 5 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu. Tel: 6437 0400