Beijing Beats: Temporary Closures at Dada and Zhao Dai, Other Clubs Seemingly Unaffected

Beijing Beats brings you the best in Beijing nightlife each weekend so that you can soothe the woes of a long and stressful week with some out-of-body gyrating and some experiences you'd rather forget come Monday. Check the weekend's full list of nightlife events here.

Beijing party people take heed: two of the city's most popular clubs, Dada and Zhao Dai, are temporarily closed this weekend. There are rumblings that the closures have occurred due to the authorities preemptively clamping down, and demanding some nightclubs take a brief break in advance of the Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation being held in the capital on Sep 3 and 4 (don't worry, both venues will be back in action as normal as of Sep 7). This of course means, just like when most geopolitical shindigs are held in Beijing, that widespread drug raids may also be a possibility. Be safe and play clean, kids.

While those two big hitters will be taking the weekend off, a slew of other nightclubs have confirmed that they will remain open as normal, though we suggest you check ahead before venturing out to one of these venues, in case the authorities ask them to temporarily pull the plug as well.

For now, here's a rundown of best club sets slated for the weekend:
 

Friday, Aug 31

Ø [Phase]
UK deep-techno vet Ø [Phase] (pictured at top) will helm a hotly anticipated set at Lantern this weekend. The DJ and producer, born Ashley Burchett, is known for his two-decade-long career of crafting gritty, rough and ready instrumentals that are balanced out by accessible, catchy, and melodic moments. That deft balance has prompted critics and fans to compare him to techno pioneers like Jeff Mills, and while there is some apparent overlap in terms of spirit and ambition between the two, Ø [Phase] has very much built a distinctive sound all of his own. RMB 100. 10pm. Lantern

Psytrance Party
Prepare to have your consciousness expanded to a higher celestial plane, or at least be compelled to boogie down until you feel euphoric, with this night of psytrance at Dirty Bar Street's Aurora. DJs Angry5JaR, Elfamy, Acid Guru, and Z will play a variety of trippy yet hypnotic tunes to tantalize your senses. RMB 60, RMB 40 (advance). 10.30pm. Aurora 
 

Saturday, Sep 1

Pfirter
Argentina's Pfirter is one of his homeland's highest-regarded DJs and producers. His sound is defined by deep and dark elements punctuated by moments of soaring uplift, meaning you'll never know what's coming up next during one of his dynamic sets. RMB 100, RMB 60 (advance).10.30pm. Lantern

Latika
This Incheon, Korea DJ and production duo couple their brand of electro house with hard progressive elements. It's a mix of mass appeal with a more creative, unpredictable undercurrent that should beckon a wide swath of clubgoers. Price TBD. 10pm. One Third

ListenUp 2018
If you're a fan of The Voice, The Rap of China or other such reality-variety shows, then here's a gig seemingly tailored for you. Yes, ListenUp is a similar such Chinese rap talent show, and it is currently touring some of its contestants like Mercy, Hood, Gia, and FrankD across the country, with a stop at Yue Space this weekend. Those among you that are fluent enough in Mandarin to understand the bars should enjoy the wordplay, while hip-hop OG's will get a bit of ironic joy out of seeing these up and comers put on some "hard poses." RMB 200, RMB 150 (advance), RMB 100 (early bird). 8pm. Yue Space

Baja Glitter Back to School
Even though school is back in session, that doesn't mean you can't hit the dancefloor before hitting the books. Yes, Aurora is kicking off this new semester with Wasabi Sound’s Baja Glitter imprint DJs like Eric Lee, Yadong, and Sohan, who will school you for free with vintage funk, house, and disco classics. Free. 10pm. Aurora

Want more? See all of this weekend's nightlife events here.

Photos courtesy of the promoters