Shanghai Nightlife
Awash with watering holes, Shanghai has an inventive and wide-ranging concoction of different bar types, from gritty student dives, solid Irish pubs and sports bars to jazzy cocktail bars, seductive wine lounges and elegant, fashion-conscious establishments operating from grandiose concession-era buildings. Drinks are pricier here than in the rest of China, so happy hour visits (typically 1700-2000) are worth considering.
Details of the best nightlife and cultural venues in Shanghai are carried in listings magazines such as City Weekend (www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai).
Bars in Shanghai
Bar Rouge
This bar is all about its rooftop patio. Nestled on top of the Bund, it offers stunning views across to Pudong and is widely recognised as Shanghai’s best nightspot. It’s great for an early evening drink and can get pretty lively after 2100, when the sound system cranks up. International DJs regularly get behind the decks here.
Address: , 18 Zhongshan East 1st Road, Shanghai, 200000Telephone: +86 21 6339 1199.
Website: http://www.bar-rouge-shanghai.com
Boxing Cat Brewery
This deservedly popular microbrewery, with three branches in Shanghai, does a fine range of ales as well as decent Southern-style American food. There are usually at least seven beers on tap at any one time. Its other branches are at Unit 26A, 519-521 Fuxing Road and 100 Zun Yi Road.
Address: , 82 West Fuxing Road, Shanghai, 200085Telephone: +86 21 6431 2091
Website: http://www.boxingcatbrewery.com
Cloud 9
Housed above the Grand Hyatt hotel on the 87th floor of the magnificent Jinmao Tower, Cloud 9 is no longer the highest bar in Shanghai, but it’s still, arguably, the trendiest. Grab a cocktail and drink in the view.
Address: , 88 Century Ave, Shanghai, 200121Telephone: +86 21 5047 1234.
Website: http://shanghai.grand.hyatt.com
Clubs in Shanghai
Arkham
Popular with young Chinese looking for the a great night out with live music and DJ parties.
Address: , Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, ,Telephone:
Linx
A hip mega-club with awesome dance music. This place is frequented by expats and local professionals; and club goers are required to wear presentable outfits (no shorts and sandals).
Address: , 98 Huaihai Zhong Lu, ,Telephone:
M1NT
The epitome of Shanghai’s love of bling, M1NT is the go–to place if you want an opulent night out. The tunes are loud, the drinks are sensational and if it all gets too much you can take some time out and check out the shark tank, which dominates the main room. Throw in a 24th floor location with city–wide views and you’ll struggle to find somewhere cooler.
Address: , 318 Fuzhou Road, Shanghai, 200000Telephone: +86 21 6391 2811.
Website: http://m1ntglobal.com
Live music in Shanghai
House of Blues & Jazz
The clue is in the name, but jazz and blues lovers will love a visit to this classy restaurant and bar where the in-house band, which changes every few months, performs live music from between 2200-0100.
Address: , 60 Fuzhou Road, Shanghai, 200000Telephone: +86 21 6323 2779.
Website: http://www.houseofbluesandjazz.com
Mao Livehouse
Large Mao Livehouse, which also has a very successful venue in Beijing, is a great place to take in live music, particularly local rock bands. It's located in the Lu Wan district, having moved from its original home in the Red Town arts complex.
Address: , 308 Chongqing S Road, Shanghai, 200000Telephone: +86 21 6445 0086.
Website: http://www.maolive.com
Yuyintang
Small enough to feel intimate, but big enough for a pulsating atmosphere if the band is right, Yuyintang has long been the place in Shanghai to see live music. Rock is the staple diet, but anything goes, from hard punk to gypsy jazz. It’s west of the city, on metro lines 3 and 4.
Address: Changning Qu, 851 Kaixuan Road, Shanghai, 200000Telephone: +86 21 5237 8662.
Website: https://en-gb.facebook.com/YuyintangLivehouse/
