Area: Bund 18, the historic building discussed in another recent Radar about the restaurant Haakasan, which just opened upstairs. Same building as Mr. and Mrs. Bund and Bar Rouge, near a famous street where someone will offer you a massage or try to sell you a laser. You know the deal - this is The Bund, and a fine Bund address at that. Where'd you get that purse, girl? It's 21st century Shanghai opulence but not too gaudy.

What it is: A new nightclub on The Bund that's looking to court an international crowd, meaning…rich, traveled people with taste and multiple linguistic functions? Probably not the same international crowd as say, Perry's. M18 sits in the space that used to house Cuvve, and before that Lounge 18.

The whole affair is kind of nebulous, but it seems like a collaboration between two well known nightclubs in Shanghai. They've taken a lot of staff from M1NT, including the club manager, and other clubs like the recently deceased Mixx.

Years ago, you basically had two basic choices in Shanghai: Chinese clubs with dice games, whiskey & green tea, and overstimulation, and underground clubs like The Shelter. Now clubland has matured a bit, and there's room for bigger clubs that maintain the high prices and ritz but also have cocktails, a dancefloor, and space to have a conversation. That's M18's position.

Atmosphere: Less bling, more wood and leather, with a long, incandescent bar that looks pretty with some neon green cocktails sitting on top. Button-leather sofas. Basically, more Shanghai and less countryside. Actually, it feels a lot like M1NT. It's on the Bund, so naturally you get a splendid view of the future too. Yes there's an emphasis on tables and bottles, but there's also a decent-sized dance floor in front of the DJ booth, and a long empty space down the middle that could fit dancers too. That's a good look. VIP rooms are located behind the reception, so the one percenters don't even need to go in the main room.

They'll also have a cocktail lounge that can fit about 400 people, with lots of nooks to hang out and converse. That won't open for a few weeks as they're redecorating the whole space and installing a DJ booth too. The toilets have those new video screens so you can watch commercials even when you're holding your Mr. Wang. Nice Ayis working there too.

Music Policy: Trendy house and commercial with some electro. No hip hop.

Damage: This is the Bund. You know what you're getting into, though it's a little cheaper than some other nearby spots. Asahi bottles go for 60rmb, standard mixed drinks are 80rmb, cocktails from 90–110rmb, and bottles go for…bottle prices. Bottles on The Bund ain't gonna be cheap. There's some sweet packages if you feel like dropping 8,800rmb.

Who's Going: Hard to say because it literally just opened, or soft opened. They're going for a international crowd, but more Chinese than say, M1NT or Bar Rouge. Expect a lot of clientèle from Taiwan and Hong Kong, plus locals looking for something more than tables and dice games. It's the Bund, another world in Shanghai.