Shanghaiist: Eye on Gay Shanghai: Deep closes, Home comes back

Frederic

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:20:51 +0800

I moved out of Shanghai 6 months ago but was really shocked and angry when I heard the news of a simultaneous crack down on Pink Home (Shanghai) and Destination (Beijing). Even though these two clubs were far from being my favorite, they were part of the gay scene I knew in China. But for me the killer was the earlier closure of DEEP Club, my all time favorite, where I have so many good memories. I just hope the government, the police and financial lobbyists, really understand this time that long term prosperity in China also comes hand-in-hand with social freedom and open mindness. I also wish that gay people living in Shanghai would not be so resentful and fight for their right and diversity.

Pete Chorba

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:54:07 +0800

I meant Deep, not PinkHome. I will correct the comment to reflect that. When I use the phrase "most popular", it was not comparing Deep to PinkHome, because PinkHome was closed (as you pointed out). It was comparing Deep to other gay clubs, specifically local gay dance clubs. During the time of PinkHome's renovations, Deep was not the only club around. Therefore, it was the most popular.

liliac

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:56:32 +0800

Homebar was on top during "renovations"? How is that possible? Homebar was the ONLY "dance" gay place in shanghai and probably the whole of China at least in "gay scene" for many years until deep. I just want point out that a place can't be "Shanghai's most popular gay club" without any comparison. Pinkhome has been there for almost one year side by side with Deep :)

Pete Chorba

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:19:34 +0800

From my understanding, when Deep opened, Home&Bar was closed for renovations. So, at the time they closed for renovations, Home&Bar (ETA: Deep, not Home&Bar) was on top. However, since their opening as PinkHome, they haven't been as successful as they once were. So, only recently have there been two clubs competing for the same, limited audience at one time. That's what I meant in the article.

liliac

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:59:58 +0800

Its about time someone wrote about "Eye on Queer Shanghai" the last article about gay "night life" was about "Home at last" way back in Dec. 2006. Almost a year ago! When finally we had two choices for people. Deep was # 1 no doubt a huge success for Mainland China and well Pinkhome was just surviving word was out the closure of their restaurant and hotel doing badly, I heard they planned to sell the building though facts remain unclear now they have a chance to prove their ability. And to be objective I wouldn’t say Pinkhome is “back on top” again when u have no choices for the “gay scene’ as the author puts it. I hope DEEP don’t give up to easily I know the owners are pretty persistent from what I heard. “Deep closes, Home comes back” but do we have a choice. When “Homebar” existed they had no competition in the “gay scene” until DEEP.

Micah Sittig

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 09:48:59 +0800

Heh, we almost went dancing there on the 31st. Good thing we changed our minds.