This much-needed addition to Shanghai's alternative scene is a far cry from the club's previous incarnation, the glittery and overdone Blue Ice Club.

In fact, with its dim lighting and charcoal-colored walls, the Shelter's decor gives a nod to the building's former function as a wartime bomb shelter. On our Saturday night visit, we were taken aback by the long line at the door; clearly, the Shelter has already become the latest Shanghai hotspot.

The club's owners, Gary Wang and Gareth Williams, are well-known DJs in Shanghai's independent music scene, and we happily danced to a hip mix of live electro-punk and techno. Still, it wasn't long before the jam-packed dance floor became too hot.

Thankfully, our reasonably-priced drinks, a Bombay Martini (50 RMB) and vodka with pineapple (25 RMB), provided welcome relief.

The Shelter
Location: Yongfu Lu near Fuxing Lu, Metro Line 1 Changshu Lu Station
Tel: 021-6437-0400

(That's Shanghai January 9, 2008)