There are few things more enticing than the illicit-seeming premise of a good speakeasy. Which is what the folks behind ‘Shanghai Speakeasy: Chinatown Confessions‘ are banking on with their upcoming night of music, mahjong, cocktails and dumplings, happening on Saturday, May 31st only. We’re so down.

Guests are invited to slip upstairs from The Penthouse – yes, that The Penthouse; the long-running Vancouver strip club located downtown at 1019 Seymour Street, nowadays renown for its clever and oft-controversial marquee – into the Tyrant Studios space, and be transported through a time warp back to the jazz era, via the noir-ish vibes of a retro Chinatown-inspired setting. (Fun fact: The Penthouse was once a legendary jazz bar that saw the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington pass through its doors.)

For the night’s soundtrack, the Son of James band, Guzheng player Michelle Kwan, Richard Pinto, and Elvis Tribute Artist Aaron Wong will be providing the tunes. Further entertainment will also be found in the back room, via a (no-stakes) mahjong set-up. Counter Culture Cocktails will take care of your thirst, and Dicky’s Dumps can sort you out on the food front.

Admission is $25 in advance, or $30 at the door; food and drinks are extra. As dumpling quantities are limited, if you count on digging in, then it’s best to put in your order for those ahead of time with your ticket purchase. Both can be done here.

Tyrant Studios

Neighbourhood: Downtown

1019 Seymour St.

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