SH gives the people what they want

Damn, it's already Wednesday and we are just getting around to last Friday's issue of SH magazine. We have been slightly critical of that publication in the past, but now find ourselves reaching for it on a regular basis. They seem to have found their niche and understand what people want out of an English-language weekly in Shanghai -- briefs, quick hits, short pieces that let you know what is new and happening in the city. Basically, they offer what is worth seeing, doing and trying. Some local mags -- well, one in particular -- just feel too bogged down with text. That may sound silly, but we doubt many of you turn to a Shanghai city magazine (or a city blog) if you are looking for a nice, long read. Anyway, SH is very "shitter friendly" -- and we honestly do mean that as a compliment.

Last week, SH took a look at Shanghai's burgeoning live music scene, with profiles of Yuyintang Warehouse, Live Bar, Shuffle Bar, 021 Bar, DDM Warehouse and Tang Hui. Here's a quote from Guanghui, founding manager of 021 Bar: "The city is full of big, commercial venues playing garbage." That about sums it up. But things are getting better -- Shanghai's live music scene is soooooo much better than it was three years ago.

SH, brave souls, also did a tasting of local (and kind of local) beers, and rated them. They didn't give them number or star ratings, so here is our best guess at their rankings based on their comments. Basically, anything after No. 6 should come with a warning:

1. Xinjiang Black Beer (also our favorite)
2. Tsing Tao original
3. Suntory Premium in a can
4. Steinlager
5. REEB "Shanghai's Original" in a can
6. Rheineck
7. Suntory
8. Tsing Tao Light
9. REEB (clear bottle)
10. REEB Dark Beer
11. Golden Knight

You can download a PDF of SH. Looks like they made last minute change on the cover -- the version we have pictured is not the same version we have on our paper edition.