WITH ALL THE economic buzz in Shanghai, its thriving nightlife attracts investors as much as clubbers. Among the latest to enter the scene is the provocatively named Snatch, which opened in Haixin Plaza last month with disgraced former boxing champion Mike Tyson as the celebrity guest. Clubbing aficionados, however, point to Tong Ren Road as the hub of raunchy establishments.
The flamboyant Blue Angel, with women dancing in cages, is probably as close as the mainland gets to a western strip joint. It targets foreign executives, many of whom stay at the nearby Portman Ritz-Carlton. 'The place is usually packed with foreign guys looking for a good time,' says frequent clubber Simon Wang. 'Of course, it's also packed with girls who want more than a good time.'
At the popular Judy's Too, young women pester customers for money and drinks, shouting above the deafening music to be heard. Outside, inebriated foreigners are staggering along the street chanting 'money, happy new year' even though summer is just around the corner.
'Once you're in the clubs, there are all kinds of tricks you have to deal with,' says Bruce, a thirty-something British resident. 'First, you have house girls who ask you to buy them drinks, then there are the prostitutes who hassle you for private rooms and massages. They're very persistent.'
Sex appeal is vital to running a successful club in the mainland's premier financial centre. 'Everyone knows sex appeal is one of the major reasons for adults to even have a nightlife,' says the operator of a Shanghai club, who declines to be named. 'In the market economy, you have to sell something people want, and for nightclubs, it's sex appeal.'
Club owners like to see two kinds of people on their premises. 'People with money and women who are willing to get involved for money,' the club operator says. 'They attract each other like magnets. It's a very profitable cycle.'