A Final Toast To Yongkang Lu Before It Shuts Down

So it seems as though there is no end to the bad news for the bar-hopping and restaurant-going crowd. In fact, it was revealed yesterday that Shanghai Xuhui district governor Bao Bingzhang has vowed to shut down bars and restaurants along much loved Yongkang Lu.

Local paper Xin Min Wan Bao broke the news saying "Yongkang Lu Bars Must Be Removed". In the article, Bao governor talked about the popular bar street's future and highlighted how until 2010 Yongkang Lu was filled with wet markets, later to be replaced by the bars and restaurants that make the street a feature today.

"Commercial construction is not supposed to be destroying building structures, so starting this July both Yongkang Lu and Jiashan Lu will be included in comprehensive renovations. It will require owners to recover original house structures, adjust or cancel street businesses, as well as stopping alcohol businesses" he declared.

Taken from Pinterest

Since the time it became the bar street it is known for today, local residents haven't been all too happy about the influx of the night-loving crowd. They began pouring water down on rowdy customers and complained strongly about drunk expat races in the middle of the night. In an attempt to show the legal basis for the move the mayor highlighted that street was originally open for food markets, but the area was never licensed to open bars. 

So Yongkang Lu becomes one more of the streets renovated under the administration: Yanqing Lu, Xinle Lu, and Fuxing Zhong Lu have seen more than 250 shops shut down, mostly shops that operate without a license.

Taken from Pinterest

In what seems to be aimed particularly at alcohol-dispensing businesses, Bao has proposed to close down all the bars, especially those close to nearby schools. Instead, urban planning efforts will focus on making space for vegetable markets, bookstores, and supermarkets, as well as cultural and music areas around the Shanghai Jiaotong University and Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

So times are a-changing in Shanghai. What was once a feature of the bar scene in the city will soon be a memory. Head there for a last pint or two before it's too late.

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