Olympics are over and that means we can expect more live shows to start creeping into our weekends. Tonight, Institutional Crush, an old metal band from Changchun is heading to Live Bar to show the youngsters how to properly head bang. Yuyintang is trying something a bit different; with a night of local DJs that includes B6 and Fish, two members of the infamous Antidote crew. Saturday, mellow electro outfit, Life Journey, will be at......

Wednesday August 27 At The Blues Room, it's time for the second "Battle of the bands", where local rock musicians compete for honour and free studio time. Find out more here. At 146 Tongren Road, near Beijing road, 铜仁路146号，近北京西路 Thursday August 28 It's movie night at Arch, this week The Great Debaters, a movie based on a true story about a debate team from a small African American college will be screened. At 439......

With the Olympics winding down, the underground gigs seem to be finally picking up. We still aren't sure what is going on at Yuyintang, their webpage isn't loading and the message they were sending out on Facebook was vague on when they were planning to re-open. Yesterday we text-messaged them regarding The Gar, who were scheduled to play tonight and YYT confirmed the gig was still on. Shanghaiist plans on showing up tonight, but with......

Following the news of Brad Ferguson's dismissal as manager of Windows Underground, a recent announcement on Smart Shanghai reveals the new guy in charge of the to be Steve Bamford, a DJ who has been playing "all colors of house" around Shanghai and China for the last four years. Taking a new house/techno/dance-friendly direction, Shelter's Friday D'n'B Friday night "Sweat Shop" has already relocated to Windows Underground (at least whilst the Olympic ban is in......

"I don’t know what La Bella’s space will become afterwards—surely it will still be some kind of French Concession-esque bar/cafe where young urban hipsters and professionals hang out. Whether or not that sense of community will transfer or can be quickly rebuilt is another matter entirely." We wish Isabella all the best. [Source]......

Jim Buzinski of Outsports.com reports that out of the record 10,708 athletes attending the Beijing Olympics, only 10 of them are openly gay — and all of them are women except for Australian diver Matthew Mitcham. The nine out women are: Judith Arndt (Germany, cycling), Imke Duplitzer (Germany, fencing), Gro Hammerseng and Katja Nyberg (Norway, handball and a lesbian couple), Natasha Kai (U.S., soccer), Lauren Lappin (U.S., softball); Victoria "Vickan" Svensson (Sweden, soccer); Rennae Stubbs......

Our favourite club The Shelter has been told to close its doors until September 6, apparently in a bid to improve security for the Olympics (660 miles away). Photo by ryry9379 In a mail sent to members of the Shelter Facebook group, club owner Gareth Williams says: "Exactly what this is securing we are not sure, but I for one feel that my Olympic games experience will be much safer now that I cant listen......

Final reminder: Come beat the heat and get sloshed with Shanghaiist tonight at Sasha's. If you recognise any of the Shanghaiist contributors, please walk up to them and say hi. We promise we won't bite (but if you ask, we might oblige)! What: Shanghaiist Happy Hour at Sasha's (11 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu, 东平路11号 近衡山路, Tel: 6474-6628). The entire first floor and garden area is open to Happy Hour guests. RMB50 cover gets you......

For carnivores and barbecue enthusiasts, check out New Heights' Olympic Opening BBQ Night. For RMB 248 per person, you'll get barbecue and free flow of Heineken and vodka cocktails. The ceremony will be shown on "giant screens". No. 5 The Bund, 4th Floor,5 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road, 5 号中山东一路(外滩) Fiesta Latina is the theme of the evening for Otto Café & Wine Bar's live screening of the opening. Pay RMB 100 to get 2......

Yesterday, we learned that our friend (and ex-Shanghaiist contributor) Brad Ferguson had been fired from his role as manager of Windows Underground. We asked him some questions about the recent developments and he agreed to let us publish them "as long as it doesn't make me look like an asshole. I still don't think I did anything wrong, but maybe it looks different to other people." So, what happened last night at Windows Underground? My......

Finally, we are back. Unlike the unfortunates who fell victim to visa restrictions our reason for being absent had more to do with laziness from too much heat. Being a pastie white red-head, the sun is not our friend. So what is happening this weekend? Well, not much, but there are a few shows. Chaos Mind and 5-pointed Star, two of Shanghais few metal bands will be playing at Yuyintang, while Live bar is letting......

A reader forwarded us this email supposedly sent out by the Red Beat Bar on Tongren Lu:The local authorities have request, that due to the Olympics, that from August1st to August 5th Tong Ren Lu is essentially closed. However, bars may be able to operate between 1 am to 8 am. 接到上海市政府通知, 源于奥运会即将开幕, 上海铜仁路所有酒吧在8月1日至8月5日只被允许于凌晨1点至8点营业, 其他时段将暂时停止营业. During this period Red Beat Music Bar will be open from 1AM until early morning. As a THANK YOU to......

Wednesday, July 30 Get cultural with violinist Ryo Goto, who will be performing Dvorak and Paganini at the Oriental Arts Center.This young musician was born in 1988 but has already made himself an impressive career. Booking hotline at: 62172426, 62173055. Tickets cost between 100 and 600 yuan, from 7:30 pm. 272 Fengxian Road, 奉贤路272号（近江宁路南京西路梅陇镇广场). Thursday, July 31 It's time to rumba! Try your dancing skills at 789 Nanjing lu bar's weekly rumba party. Entrance is......

Is there anything that won't work in China? This latest video from Arnaud Kamphuis of Daedalum Films explores Shanghai's growing jazz scene and China's exploding demand for jazz. Interesting was the refrain echoed by several of the foreign musicians interviewed that there was no way they could be doing the same thing back home without having to do music that they can't stand. Here, they're in a position to select gigs, travel lots for......

Wednesday, July 23 Tired of standing around awkwardly with your cheap drink at weekday happy hours? Express your inner artist (and your inner alcoholic) at the studio’s Happy Hour Art. Sketch, paint, drink and snack — all for 150 RMB. 796 Julu Lu, Luwan near Fumin Lu 巨鹿路796号 近富民路 Thursday, July 24 Sometimes those favorite moves we break out at the club each week start to seem a little overused. For those times, there’s Souldancing.......

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/olympics/Report_Beijing_bars_told_to_ban_black_people_during_Olympic';In a couple of weeks Beijing will turn into a party town and Sanlitun is predicted to be the epicenter of the Olympic night events. The South China Morning Post has however reported that the bar owners in the area were asked to refuse service to black patrons. The article reports: Bar owners near the Workers' Stadium in central Beijing say they have been forced by Public Security Bureau officials to sign......

If you've got lots of cash to spare, this news will get you wet. A new 20,000 square foot private club is going to open in the penthouse floor of the 24-storey Cross Tower on Fuzhou Lu by the Bund which is soon going to be renamed M1NT Tower after the name of the exclusive club also present in Hong Kong and Cannes. What makes this club special is that it is owned by members......

Tuesday, July 15 After a grueling day at work, head to the new Bulldog for Mojito Tuesdays — free flow mojitos for ladies all night, no cover. Judging from the success of its grand opening on Friday, Bulldog draws a crowd you don't want to miss. 1 Wulumuqi Nan Lu (across the street from the American Consulate) Wednesday, July 16 Get a taste of Shanghai musical flavor at the Blues Room with a classic Battle......

Just received notice that Sugar closed for renovations on Sunday, and will remain so until further notice. Here is a note from Aimee Groom, Marketing Director of Sugar:We thank our loyal customers and partners for their ongoing support and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The Friday Party series of 7 Deadly Sins events will be on hold during this time, having finished on a high with sin number four and “Sloth”; a successful......

Just like the American soap opera, As the World Turns, the Planet Gay Shanghai has experienced numerous plot twists in the past year. Shanghai’s #1 Fag Hag has been out of the scene for a long time, but she's just had a fabulous relaunch of her career and here’s her summary of what's happened over the last year for the benefit of you newbies in town... • Club Deep closes and thousands, or at least......

Refreshing and boozy- sparkling wine in a can is like a cool wave of refreshment breaking on your sweaty summer brow. At 4% vol alcohol you probably shouldn't have too many on your way to work, but really, who are we to judge? Available in Chardonnay or Rose from Alldays. 6.50RMB......

Thursday, July 10 Think you're hot enough to be a model? Find out Thursday night at Club G Plus, where Adidas Originals is hosting a fashion model search. Have a professional photographer take your picture at the main entrance, then head in for the party with no cover, free selected cocktails and music mixed by DJ Samir. The drink specials are enough to make you forget all about modeling, until Adidas calls you back for......

If you're dying to see a drag show like no other, you are in luck! Starting yesterday at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Broadway musical Hairspray made its debut in Shanghai and will continue to play nightly for about two weeks. After that, they are off to Beijing for a week of performances. Based on the 2002 Broadway musical (which was based on the 1988 movie), Hairspray is a celebration of American music of the......

With recent reports of China suspending fireworks factories' shipments stateside, American expats in the mood to celebrate July 4 with fireworks will be glad they're in Shanghai. This and four other reasons why it's good to be in this city. Wednesday July 2: Quiet Night at Arch 2 With noise pollution even worse than last year in Shanghai, you might feel like you have to search high and low for a little peace and quiet......

If any of you have been in Shanghai for over 3 years you might remember a time when Ark Livehouse in Xintiandi was one of the few bastions of live music. Slowly disappearing from the scene and limping along for the past 3 years with the rare live show, Ark is finally calling it quits. Saturday they will hold one last show featuring some of Shanghai's oldest bands, including The Honeys, Blue Garden and Crystal......

On an average Saturday night, the funniest thing about Racks in Xintiandi is that they charge 98RMB+ an hour for pool when most other bars let you play for free. This weekend however a former organiser of "Chopschticks" is bringing in some hot comedy talent from NYC to amuse the suckers. Jesse Joyce and Keith Alberstadt are both based in New York and will be joint headlining tonight and Saturday as part of their Asian......

Wednesday, June 25 If you haven’t been yet, check out Curry Wednesday at O’Malley’s. Nothing like stuffing your face with Indian deliciousness to get you over the hump, we always say. 2 Taojiang Lu, Changning near Hengshan Lu, 桃江路42号 近衡山路, 地铁1号线衡山路站 Thursday, June 26 128 RMB buys you a free flow of tapas and sangria at Cantine Nouveau Bistro from 7-10. Once you’re satiated, skip over to the Bund to see French hip hop master......

Direct from SmartShanghai's newly spruced up website comes this piece of bar news: "The British Bulldog ... has completed their renovations and is (soft) open for your drinking needs. Apparently these renovations were quite intense with a new second floor terrace, a new DJ booth, and sports relegated to their third floor with a private viewing room for you and your 'mates.'" SmSh also reports (in The Wire, which you can't link to directly for......

Folk or Punk? Tonight that is the question you should be asking yourself. Demerit, a tight group of old school punkers, are playing out at Yuyintang tonight in celebration of their new cd. While out at Live Bar French folk bands, Kandid and Zedrus, will be showing Shanghai what French folk is all about. Tomorrow the STD party people will be at Windows Underground with Underground Baby, from Beijing, and King of Retards. Live Bar......

Anyone who's into rock knows that Windows Underground is the most reliable place to hear good live music at the weekend right now. The new Nanjing Xi Lu venue took the baton from Tembo as Windows' live messenger (arf!) a few months ago and has been packing them in from day one. During the week there is still the occasional band, but Underground has enough space and seats to be a comfortable bar /......