Nightlife in Shanghai
Shanghai is considered one of the most buzzing cities in Asia and its nightlife reflects that. There's a definite tendency towards the luxurious, especially around the Bund area, where cocktails and party frocks are the norm at places like Bar Rouge. More relaxed drinking can be found in the French Concession quarter at laid-back Cotton's. Most nightclubs are open until late and there are a number of after-hours clubs. For shows, head no further than People's Square to the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
Bar Rouge
Flamboyant bartenders and cocktails
Well-heeled guests sit in chandeliered booths and nibble canapés at Bar Rouge
in the Bund area. Flamboyant bartenders mix original cocktails with fresh
ingredients like mango, ginger and wasabi. The outdoor terrace has some of
the best views in town.
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Address
7F, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai 200002
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6339 1199
Shanghai Studio
Artistic drinking
Hidden underground along Huaihai Middle Road, Shanghai Studio is a friendly
art studio-cum-bar. Headlining the city's gay nightlife scene, locals and
expats alike gather to grab a drink and party while taking in some risqué
exhibits.
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Address
4, Huaihai Middle Road, Shanghai 1950
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6283 1043
Glamour Bar
Live jazz and readings
The pink decor at Glamour Bar in the Bund area evokes Hollywood's Golden Age,
though the striking views of Pudong are unmistakably Shanghai. Pretty girls
and corporate suits enjoy the world-class cocktails, laid-back music, live
music acts and book readings.
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Address
6F, No. 5 The Bund (at Guangdong Lu), Shanghai 200002
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6350 9988
Barbarossa Lounge
Moroccan buzz and hookahs
Barbarossa Lounge is a Moroccan-style Kasbah on a lake in the middle of
People's Park by People's Square. A beautiful crowd smoke hookah pipes in
the upstairs boudoir, drink on the terrace or dance to some of Shanghai's
coolest music.
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Address
231, Nanjing Xi Road, People's Park, Shanghai
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 63180220
Transport
People's Square metro
Cotton's
Elegant and relaxed bar
The courtyard of this relaxed French Concession bar, set in an elegant 1930s
French villa, is a great spot for a summer beer. In the winter, guests relax
by the fireplace in the red room.
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Address
132, Anting Lu near Jianguo Xi Lu, Shanghai 200030
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6433 7995
Cloud 9
Heavenly cocktails
Futuristic Cloud 9 is named after its lofty location, 87 floors up the Jin
Mao Tower. Decked out with dark Bond-style furniture and steel girders, it's
a popular haunt for well-heeled couples, who sip cocktails to the unrivalled
city views.
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Address
Grand Hyatt, Jin Mao Tower, 88 Century Avenue, Shanghai 200121
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 5049 1234
MAO
Cool crowd clubbing
Opened in summer 2007, MAO's dark, sexy club in the French Concession quarter
is a favourite with Shanghai's cool crowd. The city's best-looking bar staff
man the central bar. French DJs produce lush bass-lines. There's a garden
for summer nights.
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Address
46, Yueyang Lu, near Dongping Lu, Shanghai 200030
Telephone
+86 (0) 137 6127 1129
Transport
Taxi
Babyface
Glamorous party people
With nightspots all over China, Babyface is known for booking top European
DJs and is a popular choice with well-heeled clubbers. At this sleek branch
near People's Square, local 'it' crowds pose, people-watch and dance to
thumping house music.
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Address
Unit 101, Shanghai Square, 138 Huaihaizhong Road, Shanghai
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6375 6667
Muse
House and hip hop
The white, angular decor at Muse in the Jingan area may look space-age, but
the music is firmly rooted in the present day. While the main floor plays
house music, hip hop fans assemble in the smaller dance room.
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Address
68, Yuyao Lu, Shanghai
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 5213 5228
Not Me
Friendly indie hangout
The packed dance floor and international guest DJs playing electro, rock and
indie music are the focus of Not Me in Shanghai's French Concession. Lounge
on comfortable bubble sofas, or compete with friends at the popular foosball
table.
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Address
21, Dong Ping Road, Shanghai
Telephone
+86 (0) 64330760
JZ Club
Toe-tapping jazz
JZ Club in the French Concession quarter offers unpretentious and accessible
jazz every night. Largely local bands mix jazz with samba, salsa and other
Latin favourites. Dim lighting and candles create an inviting ambience for a
night of toe-tapping.
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Address
46, Fuxing Xi Road near Yongfu Lu, Shanghai 200031
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6431 0269
Shanghai Grand Theatre
Premier opera venue
Shanghai Grand Theatre on People's Square is the premier venue for classical
music, opera, drama and ballet. Shanghai Ballet regularly performs classics
like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker but imported musicals like Cats and The
Lion King are most popular.
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Address
300, Renmin Dadao, People's Square, Shanghai 200003
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6386 8686
Logo Bar
Best up-and-coming bands
Logo Bar in the French Concession quarter regularly hosts Shanghai's best
emerging bands at weekends. The rest of the time, DJs spin beats while
trendy types lounge on sofas. With cheap drinks and entry, it's one of
Shanghai's best-kept secrets.
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Address
13, Xingfu Lu near Fahuazhen Lu, Shanghai 200030
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6281 5646
Shanghai Oriental Art Centre
Spectacular arts centre
The shiny structure of Shanghai Oriental Art Centre with its reflective,
transparent façade cost US$120 million. The 2,000-seat orchestra hall in
Pudong has welcomed the likes of Jose Carreras. There's also a 1,000-seat
lyric theatre and 330-seat chamber music hall.
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Address
425, Dingxiang Lu, Pudong, Shanghai 200135
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 6854 1234
Yuyintang
Underground gigs
Shanghai's ultra-trendy set heads to Yuyintang in the Hongqiao district to
hear the latest in live underground indie music. Sweaty crowds dance close
to the jamming musicians on stage, and the dark poster-covered walls add to
the intimate feel.
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Address
1731, West Yan An Rd (Kai Xuan Rd), Shanghai
Telephone
+86 (0) 21 5237 8662
