We're not sure if the "gay scene" in Shanghai is actually blossoming, or if the information about what bars, clubs and other venues to frequent is becoming more accessible. But in any case, it seems that more recently, rather than only gay venues and events organizers "running the show", popular venues has been jumping the bandwagon to open up a new option to the gay and lesbian community (and anyone who wants to join them). So far, this new option is basically an assigned weeknight, at what would normally be considered a "straight" bar. Mint has just launched a new weekly event that will take place every Thursday (the launch held just last week), doubling as "Play Models", and with what you could consider an under-the-flyer gay-friendly night. One of the organizers, Eric Krieger, figured that "there are already venues for gays to meet, but they run the gamut from laid-back gay watering holes like Eddy's or Frangipani to go have a weeknight relaxing drink, to much more intense t-shirt-shedding dance extravaganzas like Homebar (closed) or Club Deep, as well as the G.O.D parties".