If you’ve ever tried cramming
yourself and your group of friends
into the tiny lift up to LUNE on the
corner of Xinle and Fumin Lus, you’ll
recall the short but terrifying journey
– a memorable experience that
has inspired the name of the club
replacing LUNE, Elevator. It’s
the project of Shanghai DJs
and friends Maumau,
Jung, Kelly and Taipei
(who was involved
with LUNE and LOgO
previously), and
launched last month
with a packed-out
opening party.
So what’s
changed? There’s
been a minor makeover
but ultimately the club is
still very recognisable for anyone
who frequented LUNE. The most
significant addition might be the
MODE soundsystem, which has
been carefully designed to suit the
Elevator space and is one of the
better of its kind that we’ve come
across in the city. Neon lights behind
the booth make the DJ the focus.
‘There are a lot of clubs doing
underground house and techno
here’, Maumau tells us. ‘People can expect Elevator DJs to be playing
stuff a bit further leftfield than
they’re used to in other venues,
stuff that’s a bit weirder and more
organic. We’re hoping we can turn it
into a space where DJs feel free to
take a turn into something deeper
or slower even at peak time. When
people can jump in a 15RMB taxi to
the next club, which is probably free
entry or cheap, it’s tough to feel
free to do that as a DJ.’
Drinks-wise, on
the soft menu
there’s a focus on
‘spiked juices’ with
offerings such as a
watermelon, orange
and chilli tipple at
50RMB. Standard
drinks are 45RMB,
with house cocktails
at 55-60RMB a pop. And
while LUNE devotees may
mourn the much-loved foosball
table, Elevator is hosting weeknight
ping-pong sessions, with plans for
daytime events too.
While it’s unlikely to take
Shanghai by storm, Elevator is an
improvement on LUNE and is a
promising nightlife option worth
keeping an eye on.
