Published
Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 21:05
- An outbreak of Covid-19 forced the six year-old space to close in mid-March. "We hope to reopen soon but have little idea when that might happen," the team says.
Elevator, an intimate club located in Shanghai's Xujiahui neighbourhood, has put out a public call for financial help.
The venue has been shut since mid-March when a fresh surge of Covid-19 hit Shanghai, forcing the closure of several businesses. That outbreak eventually led to a brutal citywide lockdown from April through early June. During that period, Elevator said it continued to pay rent and staff salaries but now that its reserve funds are nearly depleted, it's unable to meet those costs.
Earlier this month, it launched a fundraiser on WeChat, a popular app in China, that rewards donations with digital drink coupons—a format that clubs around the country used during lockdowns in 2020. The campaign doesn't have a specific goal "because we are still not sure about potential rent relief, how long we will stay closed or what kind of restrictions reopening could bring," Mau Mau, the club's co-founder, managing partner and music director, told Resident Advisor. "So far, we have received amazing support in response, allowing us to pay our staff's salaries and still have something left towards rent."
He expects the campaign will continue even after authorities give Elevator the greenlight to reopen. "We hope to reopen soon but have little idea when that might happen and will probably receive 24 hours or less notice when we can." Shanghai has lifted several restrictions in recent weeks but certain sectors remain under pressure, with most restaurants still unable to have dine-in customers. So far, official assistance for nightlife businesses has mostly been in the form of rent relief for tenants in government-owned buildings, Mau Mau notes. "Our building is not government-owned, so negotiations depend more on the landlord than on city policy," he explains.
This year's difficulties come after Elevator underwent a massive renovation last year, which resulted in a larger dance floor, new DJ booth as well as upgraded sound and lighting systems. Established in 2016, the space hosts local club nights but also books international acts such as Hodge and Octo Octa.
To donate via Paypal or Venmo, e-mail [email protected] for details.