Buyers check out handmade goods at a flea market. Photo: CFP
Spring may be on its way but it's still a bit too nippy to spend too long hours outdoors window shopping. And shopping malls aren't usually the place to find the most interesting, quirky and surprising items in the first place. So a way to kill two birds with one stone is to visit one of Shanghai's monthly flea markets which are usually held in funky bars or cafés, providing you with a one-stop shopping experience for all kinds of creative and novel goods.
Dada night market
The two-year-old Dada night market has been growing in fame, as one of the more unusual nights out in Shanghai. Michael Ohlsson, the co-founder of the party organizer Antidote, runs Dada bar and created the night market to give people a chance to discover the kind of creative fashions and accessories that wouldn't be found in most high street retailers. "It's more than just shopping about shopping; it's a gathering for the community. And you get to meet the people who have designed and created these goods," Ohlsson told the Global Times.
When the market is on, the entire interior space of Dada - including the back rooms - is given over to vendors and shoppers. Usually, about 10 to 12 vendors set up shop selling a variety of items, everything from DIY products and vintage clothing to jewelry, food and CDs.
The next night market at Dada will be on March 21, and it will also form a part of the annual music and arts, the Jue Festival. The vendors include Pantry by the Co-op (selling snacks, biscuits and sandwiches), Curios for the Curious (handmade leather wallets and vintage-style bags), Snoozer Loser (hand-dyed scarves and jewelry), and Abandon Workshop (DIY accessories and jewelry made from recycled materials). There are also vintage clothing vendors including Zhifang, Disco Kitty and Vintage Velvet. The organizer also includes two retailers specifically for male shoppers: Small Castle selling vintage-styled men's accessories, and Mike Meet William providing hand-dyed men's sneakers and T-shirts.
The night market usually takes place on the third Wednesday of every month, although it is occasionally held on the second or fourth Wednesday. Shoppers can phone beforehand to confirm the dates. Every night market runs from 8 pm to midnight and is free to enter. According to Ohlsson, the bar has as many as 300 people visiting the venue in a single evening. And after midnight, shoppers can drink and dance until the wee small hours.
Add: 115 Xingfu Road 幸福路115号
Tel: 1500-0182-212
Cupcakes on sale at Dada night market. Photo: Courtesy of the bar
Kin
This boutique and café is owned by the members of V-Nutz of The Lab, which is part of Shanghai's active DJ community. Rooted in the culture of hip hop, the shop sells an assortment of trendy streetwear including shoes from Nike, Vans and Converse, and T-shirts produced by some less-known music labels, as well as records, toys and accessories. The space also offers a place for people of similar interests to come together over a coffee and snacks.
On the last Sunday afternoon of each month, the café section of the shop is transformed into a flea market. Items on sale include clothes, DIY accessories and vintage goods, as well as some good-as-new secondhand items.
According to Diza Zhao, the flea market event organizer at the boutique, there are usually 10 to 15 stalls set up each time. Anyone interested in joining the market as a vendor can e-mail diza@zongci-kin.com for further information.
Add: 65-4 Maoming Road North 茂名北路65-4号
Tel: 6217-3355
A cycling fan picks up a set of bicycle gears at the Bikes and Friends Café flea market. Photo: Courtesy of the café
Bikes and friends
Unlike the flea markets that sell everything from food to music, the bike part/accessory flea market at Bikes and Friends Café is more clearly targeted towards cycling fans. According to café manager Michael Plewman, they only had the idea of setting up a flea market a few months ago. He sees the event as providing the biking community with a platform for sharing advice and news, while buying or exchanging bike parts.
"There are several used bike or bike-part shops in Shanghai but nothing where you can buy directly from the owner of that part for a potentially lower price," said Plewman.
The market usually takes place on the first Sunday of every month, and everyone is welcome. The café has a backyard terrace where the market takes place, but in the case of bad weather the market is moved indoors. Plewman said that the last flea market attracted at least 20 vendors.
"If Tom or Jerry wants to bring a bicycle crank arm or a seat along, then they're more than welcome to," said Plewman. "People can bring as little or as much as they want and lay it out on a massive table we have in the back yard and swap or sell their items to each other."
Add: 141 Fuxing Road West 复兴西路141号
Tel: 6433-4261