While Shanghai is having a breeze of a time compared to what Beijing is undergoing in terms of restrictions during the Party Congress, the F&B community and Shanghai's club-goers may be taking a hit this weekend, as some bars and clubs have been ordered to shut down by 2am.
We've also learned that the rule extends beyond Shanghai and Beijing and maybe even be enforced nationwide, as a few venue owners have informed our editors in Guangzhou and that their establishments have been ordered to shut before 2am as well.
Sign on the door outside Pier Party F&B area in Guangzhou
One of the few clubs in Shanghai who have confirmed that they've been ordered to close early is ALL, whose shows all weekend, including tonight's show by DJ Rolando, will start and end early (8pm - 2am, in tonight's case). Celia is waiting until after the Congress is over on Oct 25 to re-open, though
this may have more to do with its recent brush with law enforcement.
It remains to be seen whether or not the rule will be enforced on a venue-by-venue basis citywide. Several clubs we spoke to, including Bar Rouge and Elevator, had not been ordered to close, and many venue owners hadn't heard anything at all about the restriction as of last night.
At this point, it's business as usual for the clubs and bars who haven't been specifically informed to close, but there is still time for the order to come in, so don't be shocked if your night out comes to a screeching halt this Friday or Saturday night when the clock hits 2am.
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