The Roof, Lola & Bar Rouge Revisited

Lola

What: Small club/lounge opened by several Spanish DJ/producers

Why: Come for the visuals, stay for music and decent drinks

How much: Cocktails RMB 50 – 65, tapas RMB 50 – 380

Where: 1F, Building 4, 570 Yongjia Lu, near Yueyang Lu

The Iberian invasion of Shanghai continues with the recent opening of Lola. Two Barcelona music producers join up with locally-based DJ T.Easy to mark their first Spanish foray into the city’s nightlife scene. Also found in the new Surpass Court complex on Yongjia Lu, Lola’s foyer gives way to an intimate lounge and bar, but a right turn leads to the much larger club room. While the lounge area is perfect for early week or a moment of respite on the weekends, the venue’s selling point is the main room. On the high ceiling and two walls, the Spaniards have fit a cutting edge projector system that embraces the dance floor with visuals; a Funktion One sound system completes the impressive tech setup.

The drinks menu comes courtesy of journeyman bar-consultant George Nemec and is as extensive as it is eclectic. Highlights include four types of Bloody Marys and long rum and wine lists, although the over-sized cocktails, served in a variety of fun glassware, should not be missed. A tapas menu is available from ex-Mistral chef Joaquin Campos, who will also hold down the fort at sister restaurant Lolita when it opens in the coming months.

Beats-wise, the Udance collective hosts a weekly party every Wednesday, Thursday will be given over to disco and the weekends are anchored with standard continental European house and techno. According to T.Easy, Lola is simply bring together under one roof the best elements of clubbing from around the city. The venue also looks forward to utilising their outdoor courtyard space in warmer months and hosting an international DJ every month. For stylish expats and locals alike the place should prove to be a hit, but at the very least it’s a more than respectable addition to the nightlife market.