Inside Shanghai's vampire-themed club
Haven, the city's next social hot spot, is full of bats, skulls and secret tunnels
By CNNGo staff 25 August, 2011"Twilight" fans take note: Shanghai’s very first vampire-themed club will open its doors in a week’s time to satisfy your fantasy of socializing with blood-sucking devils.
Named Haven, the luxury club is situated inside Shanghai’s Xingfu Port complex (幸福码头), a new creative zone on the South Bund inside a converted motorcycle factory once owned by Du Yuesheng (杜月笙).
Elma Ji, Haven’s brand ambassador, told us that the Gothic club would offer a variety of services, from high-end clubbing -- open to public on the first Saturday of every month with a RMB 500 entrance fee -- to tailor-made event planning to offbeat wedding ceremonies.
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“We don’t want to be considered as another nightlife spot because we also open during the day [for events] and provide a head-to-toe planning service,” said Ji.
And when Haven boasts a vampire decor, it means it.
Designed by Lime, a firm hailing from France, the former factory building's interior has been re-styled into a castle.
The whole space is lit up by bat-clinging ceiling lamps, equipped with blood-spattered lifts, served by demon-like waiters and dotted with vampire badges sourced from around the world.
And don’t scream if you come across a pile of skulls out of the blue, they are just telephones.
Several secret tunnels are embedded in this five-story venue to shield any celebrities or socialites longing for a vampire night out from paparazzi.
More mysterious than the ambiance is the identity of the club owners. Ji refused to give more information than referring to them as several American-Chinese who preferred to be known as Earl Drakial.
“Vampire stands for mystery, high privilege and classiness,” explained Ji, when asked about the motivation behind Haven’s vampire theme.
“[Haven] is targeted at those on top of the spending pyramid and willing to burn bucks to buy a good memory.”
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Anyone who is tempted by this high-end Dracula lifestyle better go as soon as possible as Haven won’t stand forever.
According to Ji, the club will be totally demolished after hosting 666 events because “we want to leave our impression to people when it is the best.” Ji estimated Haven will operate for two to three years.
Haven will host three invitation-only opening parties on September 3, September 10 and September 17. To request an invitation, please email elma@havenshanghai.com.
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