China Social Club’s DJ duo Frau and PCJ have ventured into the world of bricks and mortar as the driving force behind new Dingxi Lu bar Smash.
The spot used to be SUS2, an under-the-radar live music venue next to notorious dive bar C’s, but the owners decided on a change of direction and put the Australian pair in charge. They’ve overseen the transformation into a hip mural-covered hangout with the bar and dancefloor downstairs and a pool table, lounge area and record store upstairs.
They’ve brought in Sebastian Robinson of Candor and Union Trading Company to oversee the cocktails, with some Chinese-inspired (huangjiu-based The Talking Shop, 68RMB) and some Australian-inspired (The smokey and well-named Neville Bartoss, 68RMB). They’ll also be repping local beers with Tsingtao on tap for 35RMB as well as offerings from Little Creatures.
SC sell it as ‘a place to hang in the afternoon with a coffee, beer or a wine paired with great playlists and turning into more of a bar and club vibe later on’, and say they’ve filled up the first two months of weekend DJ bookings with Shanghai-based crews. They’re next door to one of the city’s best-loved bars, but that’ll likely bring more pros than cons for Smash.
For the opening party tonight (Friday 24), there's music from Lindberg and Tobias Patrick and a few more guest appearances. Oh, and, they're giving away the first keg of beer for free.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu. 6pm Free.
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