iClub

What: One of Shanghai’s oldest clubs gets a facelift and a new name

Why: You love your mainstream music and bottle service

How much: Bottles start at RMB 880

Where: Inside Fuxing Park, 2 Gaolan Lu, near Sinan Lu. Tel: 5596 8888. Web: www.iclub-sh.com

Located in the building Guandi used to occupy, iClub completes the nightlife triangle of Fuxing Park. Only a stone’s throw away from the likes of Park97 and Richy, the new venue has a lot of well-established competition on its hands.

Last month, the club announced itself to the hyper-competitive club scene in Shanghai by bringing progressive house champion, Deadmau5, to China. In a statement of intent by the owners, iClub has marked its territory as hip alternative to the other bars around the area.

Without breaking any boundaries as far as ingenuity and creativity go, the people behind iClub have built a venue that ticks all the boxes you’d expect from a loud night out on the town. Cooler than Bar 88 and fresher than Muse, iClub has the makings of a Shanghai staple, and, with a steady stream of trendy locals and expats, it’s already well on its way.

Music is in line with similar style clubs around town. With popular tunes from the likes of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé intermingled with commercial house and mash-ups, it doesn’t win any awards for originality, but works if you’re not too fussy about what you dance to. Drinks-wise it’s about as expensive as you would expect considering its location and target clientele. Cocktails are small but strong; the pours are refreshingly clean tasting and thankfully not extortionately pricey. However, when in Rome…make a big night out of it and splurge for bottle service at a table.