Ale Garden, the quaint hip Yangpu-centric hub for culture-hungry graduates, art-house film afficodos and budding rock and rollers may not be on everyone’s radar, but they’ve been going strong for six years, a feat they celebrated with back-to-back weekends of shows in late June. A hidden gem in every which way, Ale Garden is managed by Day Day, of shoegaze band Pale Air, and is located just off of Guoquan Road station near Fudan University. With a capacity of around 50 people, 100 if you’re willing to sweat it out, and a fridge full of beers, and a bar that’ll makeshift whatever cocktail they can dream up (they often will tailor specific cocktails for themed nights), the venue plays host to an array of events, public and private, from jam sessions to film screenings, and even comedy nights. But Ale Gardne’s real strength lies as a band incubator - as they give the stage to some of Shanghai’s newest indie acts - bands cutting their teeth in university rehearsal rooms; ones that have just graduated; and some just getting their start. We need places like Ale Garden to foster bands and give them the opportunity to test their chops. This usually means that the nights they hold shows are free of charge - but it also makes the hangout welcoming to all walks of life, whether you’re getting your masters degree in biochemistry or just trying to make it through exam week in one piece. The venue also has hands down one of the best spots in town - tucked away behind an office building adjacent to a riverside park - it truly feels cut off from the city - a refuge for the young and restless. With the city in desperate need for smaller-scale venues, Ale Garden is an essential part of the music ecosystem here in Shanghai - do check it out if you get the chance.