Why is it that as the Shanghai bar scene moves on to provide more progressive and diversified venues, lala bars just never seem to evolve? The newest incarnations stick to the old, tired formula of pricey-yet-mediocre drinks, either overly tacky or barren interiors, playing the same bootlegged CD that has been passed down from bar owner to bar owner since 2006.

Just before Christmas I was urged by a lala pal to check out Babala Club, the newest lala gathering place for the over-25 crowd, which has set out to rival the after-school-special vibe of Red Station while providing more class and comfort than Focus Café.

Some friends and I met outside Babala, in far off Putuo District, around 9pm on a Thursday night. The outside of the bar looked promising and the RMB30 cover charge was reasonable and came with a free beer or Coke (note: it’s RMB60 on weekends). Inside it was practically empty–fair enough on a Thursday night. The décor reminded me of a miniaturized version of No. 88. No gin and tonics or vodka sodas were available. Things were not looking good. The group I was with managed to stay only for our free beer and then headed off to find more entertaining bars closer to the city center.

It would not do Babala Club justice to write a grim review based on this one, weeknight experience. So I contacted Kelly Chen, one of the owners, to get her perspective. She told me that, unlike other lala bars, her club was open every night. “The decoration is also designed specially to meet our customer’s needs,” she said. “I believe my club is unique in Shanghai.” Unique for a lala club? Unique for Shanghai? Not really. The smoky darkness, neon lights, velvet sofas, ear-piercing music–it’s all too reminiscent of dozens of other bars in Shanghai.

Kelly expects that her bar will attract business through word of mouth and special events, for which she proposed offering reduced or no cover charge. She also mentioned that the menu would be expanded to include “quality” alcoholic drinks (hinting at gin and tonics–the lifeblood of raging lesbians). All in all, Babala is no different than any other Chinese club–it’s simply designated as a lala club. Maybe lalas in Shanghai like the style of straight bars and just want one to call their own, but given the location, expense and lack of sass, I am curious to see how this club will do. Poor lalas. For now, our playgrounds are, at best, all alike.