Music entertainment in Asia
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A
Metropolis
The most stylish place in Ulaanbaatar, Metropolis has a large dance floor and a VIP voyeur terrace. The French-Cambodian DJ plays an eclectic mix of disco, salsa, pop, rock and techno. Monday and Tuesday are reserved for electronica. It's set inside a large vault next to the entrance to the Sky Shopping Mall.
reviewed
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B
New Century
Young Hanoians pack into this huge dance hall and shake it up to loud techno and hip-hop-influenced beats. The place draws an adoring crowd when popular singers from HCMC take the stage. DJs are accompanied by shimmying go-go dancers. A multitude of bars afford space to enjoy a relaxed drink or sing karaoke.
reviewed
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C
Soho
This is arguably the hippest bar in the centre – even the name oozes London cool. Local Gossip Girl -esque youngsters hobnob to grind-worthy play lists of jazz, dance and latin beats. The atmosphere starts out relaxed but can definitely build up some heat under the red lights as the night draws on!
reviewed
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Hard Rock Cafe
A merchandising outlet disguised as a nightclub, the sprawling Hard Rock fronts the beach and is a magnet for local yuppies. It gets going after 23:00, when a (usually) slick band plays classic rock covers. It's also a venue for occasional overseas artists such as Deviate from the Philippines.
reviewed
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J Bar
This funky subterranean cellar with a youthful vibe and a dance area generally has live music every Friday and Saturday from 22:00 to 00:00. At other times the bar staff have a choice of 6000 LPs as well as numerous CDs. There is a pool table, an occasional DJ and beers are not too pricey.
reviewed
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D
Rasta Café
Behind the building that houses the Yoy Pocket is a cluster of rustic outdoor bars catering to backpackers and expats. Rasta Café, the first one to open in this area (and still the largest), plays recorded reggae, dub, African and Latin music, and is quite popular in the high season.
reviewed
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E
Yifu Theatre
Just east of People’s Square, this theatre stands out with its huge opera mask above the entrance. On the program is Beijing opera, Kunqu and Yueju opera, with a Beijing opera highlights show performed several times a week at 1.30pm and 7.15pm. Tickets range from Y30 to Y380.
reviewed
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F
SaGuijo
It styles itself as in indie-rock club but it’s really a cool and down-to-earth little bar where the live music is just part of the attraction. There’s a menu of Thai and Filipino snacks. Bands are mostly of the emo and post-punk variety and kick off nightly at 10.30pm.
reviewed
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G
Slug.Er
Live indie rock bands and the dark ones of the local metal scene bring in the customers to this dark underground den of a live venue. The drinks aren't too expensive and the there are Hip Hop nights and DJ fests for those who prefer beats and rhymes to hair and solos.
reviewed
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H
Liquid Room
Less liquid, more gunmetal, this intimate club's industrial vibe and top DJs set the scene for serious dancing. Inside there's progressive house, tech-house and trance. Toilets are rare as pills - you might find yourself squirming on the spot regardless of the music.
reviewed
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I
Latinos
Salsa has taken off in a big way in Běijīng in the last couple of years and this is one of the busiest clubs in the city. There's a big dance floor to show off your moves, the house band is from South America and guest DJs spin the latest Latin sounds.
reviewed
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J
Lotus
Two floors above Opium in the Namiki Curl Building is Lotus, a stylish, Zenlike space where you can take off your shoes and relax on the raised floor amid cushions and low tables or sip cocktails at the bar. There's a little DJ booth here too playing great tunes.
reviewed
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Dao Fah
A young Lao crowd packs this cavernous club, located off the road to the southern bus terminal. Live bands playing Lao and Thai pop alternate with DJs who spin rap and hip-hop. The bar serves Beerlao as well as mixers for patrons bringing their own liquor.
reviewed
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K
DKD
This basement club is the only place in Shanghai playing progressive house on a regular basis. As such, it's a mostly teenybopper-free zone. It's not as popular as it once was but it gets busy if a big-name DJ is playing. It's free to get in most nights.
reviewed
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L
Regent’s Blues
A dark den with reasonably priced beers (Kingfisher Rs155). With brick walls plastered with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and other less-recognisable figures, and a cheerily unhip soundtrack (think Sonny and Cher) gritty RB is a lively, snob-free zone.
reviewed
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M
Beach Club Café
Jln P Ramlee has numerous theme bars with live music or DJs and happy-hour specials. Unfortunately, these places tend to attract lots of sex workers and sexpats. Beach Club Café and Rum Jungle are the most popular places in this part of town.
reviewed
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N
Juliana
This nightspot in the student entertainment zone opposite City Hall operates on the Korean system and the high admission price buys three beers and anju (snacks). The music is mixed but mainly hip-hop. Extra beers are around ₩4000.
reviewed
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O
RAV
Unrelentingly red with disco balls aplenty, RAV is Circular Rd's stand-out club, pumping out everything from acid jazz to Motown to under-30s. Big-name local DJ Illusion is a regular; gals are regular recipients of free-flow 'housepours'.
reviewed
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P
G2
Come here to bump around in trance-inducing, blacklit darkness. The funk and hip-hop is ear-splitting - just the way most of the crowd wants it. Come after 23:00 or you'll have the place to yourself. Soldiers are asked to leave by 00:30.
reviewed
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Q
Brix
If you make it past the goons at the door, you can spend the night lurching between the whisky bar (single malt heaven), wine bar (namesake brickwork and impressive wine list) and music room (bands, R&B/disco/soul DJs, and dancing).
reviewed
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R
Velvet Underground
Rock and roll lives, baby, at this underground (literally) club across from Taipei Main Station. Live bands, full bar, Mexican food and walls covered with kick-ass rock art not unlike something out of a museum of album covers. ROCK ON!
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De'Nile
This is another subterranean dance spot with different DJs every night, located behind Taka-Pla.
Most dance clubs don't get going until around 23:00. Many bars have as admission charge (average around ¥500 to ¥1000).
reviewed
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Café de Camel
A legend started years ago by a Kūnmíng rock-and-roller, the cool atmosphere lingers on. The restaurant/coffee shop doubles as a drinking den on weekends when tables are moved to one side and a DJ plays tunes until dawn.
reviewed
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S
Conspiracy
Owners Cynthia Alexander and Joy Ayala play folk, jazz and various global tunes. Consider wearing tie-dye as the inside is nonsmoking and the snacks are vegetarian. The garden is a good place to chill with a dark San Miguel.
reviewed
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T
Bonbon
With the backing of the Godskitchen clubbing crew, Bonbon has become the destination of choice for a very young mixed crowd of Chinese and Westerners. Mainstream hip-hop party favourites keep the small dance floor packed.
reviewed