URVC

Opened by Dave K, one of Shanghai's first house music DJs (and the founder of online radio station), Udance Radio Vinyl Club (URVC) doesn't really know what it wants to be – but don't let that put you off. Nestled underneath freshly constructed high-rise apartment blocks in Putuo district, it functions as a coffee shop and second-hand vinyl store during the day, with plans for simple food to be served in the future.

As night turns, it functions as a bar-cum-radio station with DJs playing live from 8pm-midnight while being broadcast live across the internet. At the weekend the hope is this will be accompanied by a bar full of revelers drinking and dancing to the live broadcasts.

K has already installed cameras to record the DJs as they perform. Sound familiar? He's not shy about his influences. 'I want to do it like the Boiler Room,' he says frankly. 'Recording the set with the people dancing together.'

The DJ booth itself is a striking piece of design; ovular and highlighted with blue neon, it makes an eye-catching centerpiece for the space. The color scheme of URVC won't surprise anyone. Yes, that's right, it's slate grey. But rather than over-egg the industrial theme, it strikes us as a practical choice given that people will be drinking and dancing inside. The high ceilings make the relatively small area feel much more open and give plenty of room for smoke to disperse, which is welcome given that the smoking ban is flagrantly disregarded nearly everywhere in the city.

A party last month with the Love Bang crew attracted a good crowd and hinted at the potential for URVC to become a fun and unique nightspot in the city, especially as it seems to be well-supported by the city's DJ crews. The location in Putuo might seem far for some but K sees a lot of potential in the area. 'It's close to Jingan and I think this year there will be more and more bars opening around here because there are many foreigners living in this area,' he says.

Ambitious, K talks of getting craft beer in, serving cocktails and sticking a food truck in the garden. These details are still being worked out, so we'll be keeping our eyes on the space to see how it develops. In the meantime we're just happy to have a new nightlife spot that looks full of potential.