Slither in for Punk at Snake Livehouse

Until recently we thought that Yashow Clothing Market was completely shut down. This isn’t quite the case. Nestled on the seventh floor of this temple of commerce is Snake Livehouse, a recent rock-oriented addition to the mass of alternative music performance spaces continuing to open around the city. Existing as a joined venture with CYT Tattoo Parlor, this venue is pretty unique.

We couldn’t help but love the name, which brings to mind images of Snake Plissken from Escape From New York. We wouldn’t be surprised if the proprietor had a huge cobra inked on his chest or an eye patch from getting an ocular nerve severed by a flying kick.

The aesthetic of the place is a mix of Tiki bar flair and lots of vintage photographs of people inked up from around the world because it is, after all, first and foremost a tattoo parlor. The dance floor has a slick terrazzo sheen that would be pretty fun once doused in beer, which we were witness to at the recent Punk It Spring, the first event we attended at Snake Livehouse.

The music showcased here ranges from punk, to rap, to hardcore, and onwards to new metal. We overheard that there’s a heavy fee for booking shows at this space, which may not be ideal for promoters, especially those of a DIY ilk, but the drinks and shots were pretty darn cheap (RMB 20).

To experience the madness of Snake Livehouse and maybe get inked while listening to some ferocious licks, enter through the west side of Yashow and take the elevator to the sixth floor, then continue up one flight of stairs and you’ll be right in the middle of it. Once Yashow reopens there will probably be a far less confusing way to enter, but for now it’s a little tucked away and we like it like that.

Snake Livehouse
Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-late. 7/F, Yashow Market, 58 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (040 0922 2991)
朝阳区工体北路58号雅秀服装市场7层
500m west of Tuanjiehu (Line 10)

Photo: Kipp Whittaker