B/F, 5 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xilu
21/6437-0400
HOURS: Wed.-Sun. 9 a.m.-late
COST: cover varies
METRO: Shanghai Library (Line 10)
Long heralded as the ultimate underground club in Shanghai, The Shelter is literally underground. The former bomb hideout is accessed via a long, winding tunnel and consists of a main room plus several arched chambers with couches and tables.
Things rarely get started before midnight and parties tend to go on until dawn. The music ranges from reggae, drum and bass, dubstep and funk to electro and more. The cover charge varies depending on who’s playing. If you want to get a feel for Shanghai’s indie crowd (both local and expat), Shelter provides a good cross-section.