Finally, the Dada-shaped hole in our hearts has been filled. A year and a half since the Shanghai nightlife institution closed its doors on Xingfu Lu, it's officially back with a new space on Yanan Xi Lu, near Anxi Lu. The club shut up shop in its original location last January after more than ten years pushing forward the city's underground club scene.
Ten minutes from the old location (opposite Columbia Circle), the newest iteration of Dada Shanghai opened this weekend and is currently in soft-opening, with a grand opening party scheduled for the end of July. While you can expect the regular slew of parties that Dada is known for, the new space is a bit smaller than the original and the team are doing things a little differently this time – including plans to launch quiet drink nights on weekdays with some new signature cocktails and alternative spirits from all over the world, like brandy from Kyrgyzstan, baijiu from Iceland and rare mezcals.
Photograph: courtesy DADA Shanghai
In an official press release, the club's founder and co-owner Michael Ohlsson says:
'Over the past year+ we have seen over 150 spaces all over the city – bigger, smaller, weirder, behind shopping mall toilets and beneath carparks, on floating boats, inside jewelry shops, under sunken ships, old bank vaults, ancient buildings, failed fancy restaurants, cat lady homes, etc etc. In the end, you end up with what you can get that actually works, all considered.
Dada Shanghai v2.0 had to adjust. It's going to be a little different, naturally, but we think in a good way. We will carry on in the same spirit, with a few tweaks. The new Dada will be a little bit smaller than the old one. It will also be a nice place to get a quiet drink on a Tuesday night or whatever.'
Kicking things off quietly this past Saturday (July 3) with a Wonky Kong party featuring familiar faces (Jane Siesta, Bigloco, Blanca, Zean, Fung), from now through the end of the month there will be DJ parties every Friday and Saturday night and the club will be open 9pm-2am Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays).
As for what to expect? Ohlsson told Time Out, 'The music will be the same as always, eclectic, different every night. We'll also be having more guest DJs from around China. [But] we won't be having many DJ events during weeknights, want to keep it more relaxed. Friday and Saturday will be proper party nights.'
It's safe to say, Dada's return is a big win for the city's nightlife scene.
