Shanghai nightlife years are a bit like dog years, and making it to eight is quite an achievement. Distinguished dance den DADA is celebrating that milestone this weekend, and is still fresh, fun and a firm Time Out favourite after all those years.
Another notable nightlife anniversary this weekend comes courtesy of Kangding Lu queer hot spot Roxie, which is turning two, with burlesque shows, drag performances and a few surprises along the way.
Read on for the full details of how you can celebrate both of the above birthdays as well as for lots more party highlights this weekend.
THURSDAY 24
bbno$
Vancouver-born 'Soundcloud rapper' bbno$ hits Arkham having made inroads into the China market with his collaboration with Shanghai MC Al Rocco and an inadvertent endorsement from none other than TFBoys after one of their members performed a dance to bbno$'s track 'Yoyo Tokyo'.
Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm. 160RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Şanghay Köfte Club
The Köfte Club is back, filling your ears with Middle Eastern grooves and filling your tummies with falafel and hummus plates. Tunes from Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and more: funk, raï, psych, folk, electronica. Felafel and hummus while stocks last.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu, near Niuqiao Lu. 8pm. Free.
Tadeo
Shanghai-based promoters Say Yes continue their second anniversary celebrations with techno DJ Tadeo, aka Miguel Sar. He'll apparently be playing a 'hybrid set' with his Roland drum machine, while MIIIA and Bunny Pipe will be adding quality support.
Elevator Fourth floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 10pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Storm Pre-Party: Borgore
Israeli producer, self-declared 'enfant terrible of bass music' and known to some as 'the man who ruined dubstep', Borgore returns to town to promote the forthcoming Storm Festival with a show at the Tongren Lu 88 complex opposite the Jingan Shangri-La Hotel.
Tongren Lu 88 88 Tongren Lu, near Yanan Zhong Lu. 10pm. Free.
FRIDAY 25
Dash Berlin
In case you missed him a few weeks ago at the Top 100 DJs Festival, EDM heavyweight Dash Berlin is back in Shanghai once more – this time at Linx.
Linx 98 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Xizang Nan Lu. 11pm. 280RMB.
Chewie B2B Terence C
Celia keeps things going after hours with Chewie (who is also celebrating a birthday) going back-to-back with Terence C until 10am.
Celia 298 Xingfu Lu, near Pingwu Lu. Midnight. 100RMB (includes one drink).
The Mash
We all know mash makes everything better, so Smash present a multi-genre, 'packet-fresh melting pot of anything goes'. Six DJs doing micro-sets on rotation all night long, plus a very special international guest on the cards....
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu, near Niuqiao Lu. 9pm. Free.
Sinjin Hawke + Zora Jones
Sinjin Hawke's experimental work with orchestral arrangements and choir manipulation has led to him collaborating with Kanye West, Frank Ocean and Just Blaze. Here, he's teaming up with intriguing producer Zora Jones for a full-on audiovisual assault on your senses.
ALL Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm. 100RMB.
STIR
Misloop's STIR night returns to Elevator, dedicated to exploring the darker side of techno and 'boundary-blurring dancefloor openness'.
Elevator Fourth floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 10pm. 50RMB.
SATURDAY 26
DADA's Eighth Birthday
DADA hits the ripe old age of eight with all sorts of fun down on Xingfu Lu. Andrew Bull and DJ El Toro are among those rumoured to be making an appearance on the decks.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. 10pm. Free.
Dos Attack
Smash welcomes Carlos from Madrid’s Dos Attack for an eclectic night of music that could only come from a record shop boss. Carlos’ style is hyperactive, jumping through different music styles regardless or origin or genre, but always maintaining his roots firmly in club music.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu, near Niuqiao Lu. 9pm. Free.
Flower Power
MVP take over Bar Rouge, turning the venue into a garden of sorts for their Flower Power night. Expect peace, love and '70s tunes. The dress code, in case you hadn't already guessed, is floral. It's free until midnight if you let them know you're coming via events@mvpshanghai.com; otherwise it's 100RMB.
Bar Rouge Seventh Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu. 10pm. 100RMB.
M.E.S.H.
Berlin-based producer M.E.S.H. presents his 'oblique, theatrical sound-stages' and 'fragmented rhythms' at ALL.
ALL Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm. 80RMB.
Roxie Two Year Anniversary Party
Check out drag and burlesque performances plus other surprises for Roxie's birthday.
Roxie Second Floor, 359 Kangding Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu. 8pm. Free.
Skellism
Having picked up endorsements from the likes of DJ Snake and The Chainsmokers, Skellism hit town for a night of bass-heavy music at Arkham. Here's how promoters SHFT put it: 'Club owners run when they hear his name, headbangers squirm when they hear his sound, ladies and gents please welcome out the Dubstep sensation that's caused more riots than Rodney King, Skellism.'
Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm. 200RMB; 120RMB (presale).