The Donghu Lu revival continues, and has expanded to the Xinle and Fumin Lu intersection, which is in the midst of a much-needed makeover. Cantina Agave and Citron are gone, replaced by Tepito and Chicken & Egg. And just weeks after the end of Lune’s long run, the space has been drastically remade as Elevator.
Named after the building’s notoriously tiny elevator (room for three, maybe), Elevator has exchanged Lune’s living room feel for something a little more minimal chic. Boasting an impressive sound system with the ability to shake the building with its booming bass, the club somehow managed to cram 500 people in for last month’s opening party.
With Co:Motion’s Mau Mau as one of its owners, Elevator has the cred for its clubbing ambitions. It’s become a home for the fledgling local house and techno record label, with its artists supporting visiting DJs like Nick Monaco and Magic Touch.
During the week, however, Elevator gets a chill makeover. Two ping pong tables take over the dance floor. There are also a couple of sofa areas, complete with games like Jenga and Uno (note - beware of drunk Uno.)
Drinks-wise, Elevator stocks the requisite bottles of hipster beers like Brooklyn Lager IPA, Rogue Dead Guy and Karl Strauss Red Trolley (RMB45-50). They also offer three special house cocktails (RMB55-60), but the real specialty is their fresh juices. Four flavors, either fresh (RMB35-40) or spiked, (RMB50-60, RMB220-260 per jug) are available.
Despite the bartender’s warning, our spiked watermelon orange chili wasn’t too spicy, perhaps because our grizzled taste buds are too acclimatized to lajiaojiang by this point. For those needing a kick, they also stock Mate Mate – a highly caffeinated soft drink made with South American mate tea – the hippie equivalent of Red Bull.
Currently opened Thursdays to Saturdays, Elevator is touting bigger plans. They’ve added a projector for film screenings and there’s talk of adding a kitchen for hosting food pop-ups in the future.
Price: drinks from RMB30-70
Who’s going: underground club goers, people who work at underground clubs
Good for: music, dancing, groups
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