This is the last week for Magpie on Yongkang Lu

Following Xuhui Governor Bao Bingzhang's declaration that 'the bars along Yongkang must be removed', word on the street now is that those without the proper licenses will be shuttered by late August. That covers a fairly hefty swathe of the bars that have spread over the two block street in the past six years.

But some will be gone even sooner. This Sunday (July 31) will see the closure of much-loved cocktail den Magpie (though thankfully they still have their other branch on Wanping Lu).

Of course, this being YKL (albeit the 'calmer' part), they won't be going quietly into the night. The bar will be slinging Magpie Mules all night - from 4-10pm you'll get as many enamel mugs of the stuff as you can handle for 100RMB. They'll also be supplying pens to punters and encouraging them to draw on the walls of the old bar before it's gone.

More familiar names are expected to follow suit soon as the authorities begin a purge of all businesses on the street operating without the proper alcohol and bar licenses.