VINYLHOUSE: Shenzhen’s Sonic Sanctuary in the Heart of Nantou Ancient City


Bao Ge   |   November 13, 2025   |   

Located within the storied walls of Nantou Ancient City, a 1,700-year-old enclave in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, VINYLHOUSE House stands as a vibrant testament to the city’s unyielding fusion of heritage and innovation. This flagship store, unveiled in 2021, transforms a “city within a city” into a multifaceted haven for music aficionados, casual loungers, and cultural explorers alike. Embracing a philosophy of “MUSIC ON, WORLD OFF,” VINYLHOUSE weaves together a record store, coffee and tea bar, cocktail lounge, intimate salons, and even upscale guesthouse accommodations—all under one roof, or rather, one sprawling, multi-level edifice. Here, the echoes of ancient Lingnan culture mingle with the crackle of vinyl grooves, creating an immersive escape that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary.

A Legacy Spun from Vinyl: The Evolution of VINYLHOUSE

VINYLHOUSE’s story is one of organic growth, rooted in Shenzhen’s explosive creative scene. It all began in 2016 with the opening of its inaugural record store in Futian District, a modest space dedicated to curating and sharing the tactile joy of analog sound. By 2017, the brand had pivoted to Nanshan, launching China’s first vinyl-themed bar—a pioneering venture that blended high-fidelity listening with craft cocktails, earning it the accolade of “That’s” New Bar of the Year in 2018. That same year saw the debut of a second branch in Xi’an’s High-tech Zone, extending its reach beyond Guangdong.

The Nantou flagship marked a bold evolution in 2021, expanding into a comprehensive music and entertainment ecosystem. Tucked into the East Gate of Nantou Ancient City—once the administrative heart of Xin’an County and a gateway to the Pearl River Delta’s maritime trade routes—this location honors the area’s rich history while injecting modern vitality. As Shenzhen hurtles toward its future as a global tech metropolis, VINYLHOUSE serves as a cultural anchor, preserving the analog soul amid digital deluges.

Dive into the Depths: The Record Store on B1

Descending to the basement level, visitors are enveloped in the warm hum of nostalgia at VINYLHOUSE’s
record store. This isn’t merely a retail space; it’s a sonic laboratory where “no song requests” is the golden rule, ensuring a curated flow that prioritizes discovery over demand. Rows of meticulously sourced vinyls line the shelves—jazz rarities, indie pressings, and global electronica—inviting browsers to flip through sleeves and lose track of time.

Every Sunday unfolds as “VINYLHOUSE Record Day,” a ritual pilgrimage for enthusiasts to spin their favorites on professional turntables, the needle’s drop silencing the outside world. Monthly guest musician performances add layers of intimacy, while “black room events”—intimate gatherings in dimly lit nooks—foster deep dives into genres with like-minded “black room friends.” Beyond the beats, the calendar brims with eclectic happenings: art exhibitions, tango workshops, English conversation corners, and more. It’s a deliberate mosaic, designed to draw in diverse souls who bond over shared curiosities.

For the interactive thrill-seekers, open decks and B2B (back-to-back) DJ sessions turn the floor into a friendly battleground. Watch as resident and guest spinners trade sets in real-time, their selections clashing and harmonizing in electric synergy. True to its motto, VINYLHOUSE urges patrons to “leave all your worries behind,” pairing these auditory adventures with sips from the upstairs bar. In this subterranean realm, music isn’t consumed—it’s lived.

Elevated Indulgences: Tea, Cocktails, and Lounges on F1 and F2

Ascending to the first floor, the ethos shifts to “Everything Can Be Mixed,” a playful nod to VINYLHOUSE’s alchemical approach to beverages. Here, the coffee and tea shop doubles as a cocktail atelier, where baristas and mixologists blur lines between caffeine rituals and evening libations. Imagine a sencha-infused negroni or a cold-brew old fashioned—innovations that whisper of East meets West. It’s a space for quiet reflection by day, alive with clinking glasses as dusk falls.

The second floor elevates the experience further with an irregular series of afternoon salons, where “making friends through music” takes center stage. These pop-up gatherings—think vinyl listening circles or acoustic unplugged sets—foster organic connections in a city often criticized for its transient pace. A state-of-the-art DJ booth anchors the level, its superior soundstage allowing guests to tailor their ambiance: bass-heavy corners for deep house devotees, brighter zones for indie folk fans. Whether you’re nursing a matcha latte or a herbal infusion, the multi-zone design ensures every visit yields a bespoke auditory landscape.

Rest and Rejuvenate: The VINYLHOUSE Guesthouse and Rooftop Retreats

For those seeking more than a fleeting visit, VINYLHOUSE extends its embrace into overnight luxury. Collaborating with creative designer Zhu Decai and crossover musician Meng Ruixue, the guesthouse reimagines respite as an extension of the musical ethos. Guest rooms boast 1.8m x 2m ultra-plush standard mattresses for restorative slumber, Sharp 65 or 75-inch TVs for late-night album visuals, and vintage-inspired Siemens or Panasonic refrigerators stocked with local craft beers and artisanal snacks. Kohler fixtures grace spa-like bathrooms with smart toilets, while Panasonic washers-dryers and Dyson hair dryers cater to the modern traveler’s every whim.

The crowning jewel? An expansive balcony bathed in natural light, where morning coffee sessions soundtrack to birdsong or evening unwinds to curated playlists. It’s a deliberate nod to “joyful music enjoyment,” transforming a stay into a mini-retreat amid Nantou’s ancient charm.

Venture higher still to the rooftop garden on F6, beckoning with panoramic vistas of the ancient city’s terracotta rooftops and winding lanes. As the summer breeze—perpetual in Shenzhen’s subtropical clime—caresses the air, envision Wu Bai’s brooding rock anthems drifting from hidden speakers. This “Black House Garden” (a affectionate moniker for the venue’s intimate spaces) is ideal for sunset toasts or stargazing soirées, blending the tactile delight of potted herbs with the intangible magic of melody.

A Harmonious Note: Why VINYLHOUSE Resonates

In an era where streaming algorithms dictate tastes, VINYLHOUSE Nantou flagship store reaffirms the irreplaceable allure of the physical—the spin of a record, the fizz of a mixed drink, the spark of serendipitous conversation. It’s more than a venue; it’s a living archive of Shenzhen’s cultural pulse, where Nantou’s 1,700-year legacy of trade and resilience finds fresh expression in beats and brews. For the latest on events, from guest DJ drops to seasonal exhibitions, follow VINYLHOUSE’s official WeChat account. Reply “Join Group” to unlock membership perks, stay abreast of new album drops, and join the chorus of “interesting souls” who call this place home. In the words of the space itself: Turn the music on, and let the world fade to off. Your soundtrack awaits.

For more information contact Wyler or follow their official WeChat account:

Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Contact: 136 9178 3207
Address: No. 4 Zhongshan East Street, (Building 2, Inside Dongmenli), Nanshan, Shenzhen
深圳市南山区中山东街4号(东门里第二栋)

November 13, 2025