Night Talk: Four New Venues
Angel
What: PinkHome is back with a new LGBT club in the heart of downtown
Why: Because heterosexuals are usually terrible dancers
How much: Cocktails RMB 28 - 35
Where: 1 Wulumuqi Lu, near Hengshan Lu. Tel: 400 669 1069. Web: www.angelshanghai.com
You don’t need a large neon sign to know that you are close to the newest alternative dance club in the city; just look for the long queue outside. Business at Angel, a new gay club managed by PinkHome, has boomed since opening, regularly attracting upwards of 2,000 people per night. Designed for a capacity of approximately 750 people, that can make for some packed, sweaty nights.
The venue itself, a large dance space over two levels with several smaller themed bars and seating areas to the side, is the biggest dance haven for the LGBT scene yet. Features include the Castro Lounge that caters to expats, the Fantasy Room for more intimate conversation and Teddy’s Bar that interestingly targets those who prefer to meet larger or more muscular men. The club serves regular drinks at relatively cheap prices, and also hosts the first ever in-club mini-mart for those with reserved tables or who prefer to drink by the bottle. All purchases are made with a pre-paid card, which is rechargeable at the bar.
On a typical night, Angel keeps the energy high with house music, often featuring DJs from all over Asia. Starting this month, the club will host themed parties every third weekend. Despite its rookie status and the fact that it’s still undergoing some final construction, Angel’s attendance numbers so far have already put it squarely on the Shanghai’s clubbing map.
