This August the nightlife scene is getting a one-two punch with Olympic-related restrictions compounding the general expat exodus.

Although there aren't a lot of official reports, beyond just denying visas to international artists coming to Shanghai, the government is also starting to clamp down on local acts. As one live music venue owner told me, "We are not planning special events in August because we were warned by the police office / Culture Bureau that the government might announce that, before and during the Olympic Games, there should be no entertainment activities. It's frustrating, but there's not much we can do."

Apparently as long as everyone behaves within reason, we shouldn't see too many closed doors (although the final list of venues--yes it's an actual list--that will be asked to close is still being "negotiated" with venues), but there are rumors that a major bar managed a RMB200,000 fine recently. Moral of the story? Just because you don't hear about your favorite local live acts in August doesn't mean that they're gone, might just be that the venues are keeping it a bit more low-key.