Take a trip across Shanghai’s massive nightlife circuit and uncover some of the city’s best bars, pubs and speakeasy lounges. Some of them are located right smack in the middle of the hustle and bustle, while others may require you to steer through a maze of lanes, alleys and possibly solve a puzzle in the process.
As the saying goes, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. Here is a list of 10 Shanghai bars that’ll impress.
1. Bar Rouge – Boasts an Unblocked View of Shanghai’s Skyline
Trend-setting nightlife destination, Bar Rouge Shanghai, provides a unique nightclub experience in Shanghai. Perched atop the city’s most enviable rooftop landmarks, Bund 18, the club is deeply rooted in the European way of entertainment, hosting all sorts of glitzy shindigs from themed parties fuelled with costumed dancers and bottle rituals to other unique celebrations.
The opening of Bar Rouge in 2004 atop Bund 18 announced a new era in Shanghai nightlife and since then, it has garnered the attention of some of the country’s most prominent socialites as well as a host of international DJs. It is definitely one of the best Shanghai bars – so definitely include this in your must-visit list.
Address: No.18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, The Bund, Shanghai, China
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Sun to Wed), 6PM – 4.30AM (Thu to Sat)
Contact: +86 21 6339 1199
2. Kartel Wine Bar – Rooftop Bar with Huge Selection Of Wine
Situated between the Former French Concession and Jing’an Temple, Kartel Wine Bar is a casual French bar and lounge that offers spectacular views of Shanghai’s nightscape via its rooftop.
The place is warm, inviting and boasts an extensive array of wine. Wine is the key focus although you’ll find a pretty substantial menu of French classics. There’s also an assortment of cheese, bread and charcuterie options you can pick to complement your vino.
Address: 1 Xiang yang lu 5 Floor, 200040 Shanghai, China
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Daily)
Contact: +86 21 5404 2899
3. Sober Company –3 (Secretly 4) Concepts in One
Broken up into three distinct concepts, Sober Company houses a restaurant concept, a cafe and a speakeasy in one. Sober Coffee serves coffee, all-day breakfast and coffee-based co*cktails, while Sober Kitchen is a cosy restaurant where you can tuck into modern Chinese cuisine.
It’s Sober Society, however, that attracts alcohol aficionados courtesy of its well-curated list of inventive co*cktails. If you bother to go looking for it, you’ll even discover a fourth concept hidden within the building: a ‘secret’ bar called Tipsy.
Granted, there are many Shanghai bars that are worth checking out. That said, we thought we should also let you know that Sober Company has clinched position 12 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 aka ranked as the best bar in Shanghai!
Address: 99 Yandang Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China, 200000
Opening Hours: 10AM – 2AM (Sun to Thu), 10AM – 3AM (Fri & Sat)
Contact: +86 21 5309 8261
4. Speak Low – Asia’s 19th Best Bar
Hidden within a bartending equipment shop on f*cking Lu lies Speak Low, a Japanese-style speakeasy bar concept that boasts four floors, each with its own distinct personality and vibe. The second floor is casual, loud and befitting of a gathering among friends over co*cktails.
The third offers a more intimate affair (and premium drinks) and draws a crowd made up of mostly aficionados. The fourth is for those looking to empty their wallets. As you can probably guess, it’s far more extravagant and exclusive, and the drinks are far more expensive.
Address: 579 f*cking Middle Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Sun to Thu), 6PM – 3AM (Fri & Sat)
Contact: +86 21 6416 0133
5. Stone Brewing Tap Room (Closed)
Stone Brewing Tap Room Shanghai is a taproom-style craft beer destination by Californian independent craft beer brewery, Stone Brewery, designed to unabashedly raise the bar for craft beer in China. The industrial-chic interior makes for proper beer-chugging experience and the beers they carry are, quite honestly, very delicious.
The outpost offers the best selection of craft beers from around the globe—there are more than 30 taps with oscillating beers (depending on stock) and plenty more bottled varieties in the fridge. The joint also does full-service lunch and dinner, sells merchandise and hosts live music onweekends.
Address: 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu, Changning district
Opening Hours: 11.30AM – 12AM (Sun to Wed), 11.30AM – 2AM (Thu to Sat)
Contact: +86 21 6226 2510
6. The Grand Bar Flow Hotel –‘Grand Budapest Hotel’ Tribute Bar
Hidden behind a hotel reception desk themed after the film, The Grand Budapest Hotel, by acclaimed American filmmaker, Wes Anderson, this bar thrives on its cool, dreamy decor that’s deserving of a photo (or a hundred) and enormous hype. Here, you’ll find heart-shaped bathtubs and pillow fight pits waiting to be dived into.
On the drinks front, don’t set your expectations too high. Their drinks, much like their interior, banks a lot on its general aesthetic rather than anything else. Order up a classic G&T and you’ll likely have a decent time. Anything more complex and you’re liable to be disappointed.
Address: Swissotel Grand Shanghai, 1 Yuyuan Rd, Jing’an Temple, Jing’an, Shanghai, China
Opening Hours: 7.30PM – 2AM (Daily)
Contact: +86 21 5355 9898
7. People 7 –Finding This Speakeasy Requires Puzzle-Solving
To find this speakeasy bar-cum-restaurant in itself is a feat, but once successful, you’ll be greatly rewarded. Getting in takes a little patience and some trial and error. It involves you inserting your hand into one of nine holes set into the wall at the entrance of the bar.
People 7 exudes a super-stylish vibe and a distinct glow, but don’t let that intimidate you because the bar’s a lot more unpretentious and casual than you might think. The staff are friendly, the drinks are swish enough to stand up to its setting and the restaurant does affordable fusion food.
Address: 805 Julu Rd, Jing’an, Shanghai, China200085Jingan Qu
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Daily)
8. Pocho Social Club – Mexican Bar with Potent co*cktails
This neighbourhood Mexican-themed bar takes up three floors in an old lane house on Jianguo Lu, right next door to the Jiashan wet market. The atmosphere is lively and its American owners are a friendly bunch who’s always open to mingle and make you feel welcome.
Their drinks are playful and creative but potent—and unsurprisingly their signature, tequila-based drinks come rimmed with salt (very Mexican).
Address: 376 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Taiyuan Lu, Xuhui district, Shanghai
Opening Hours: 7PM – 2AM (Sun to Thu), 7PM – 4AM (Fri & Sat)
9. Union Trading Company – Opens till 2AM Daily
The Union Trading Company is one that constantly pushes Shanghai’s co*cktail scene to new heights. The secret, however, does not lie in any exotic libation but rather its commitment to providing quality, old-fashioned bar hospitality to its customers. That said, the bar manages to match style and service effortlessly.
Their hand-crafted co*cktails span a vast variety from bartending’s golden age, encompassing the classics as well as original concoctions that involve modern techniques and sensibilities. If you’re pining for something with a distinct potency, expect lots of stiff drinks with liberal lashings of bourbon, brandy and homemade infusions.
Address: 64 Fenyang Rd, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Daily)
10. The Odd Couple – Ranked No. 38 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020
Stylishly outfitted upstairs bar in Xintiandi, The Odd Couple is a speakeasy bar concept jointly founded by Shanghai speakeasy veteran, Shingo Gokan—the man behind Speak Low and Sober Company—and longtime colleague (and perhaps even rival), Steve Schneider—previously from Singapore’s Employee’s Only—, who’s famous for a host of bars in New York and Singapore.
Together, the duo makes up the eponymous Odd Couple and besides boasting a trendy interior, the co*cktail bar’s menu is also one that’ll intrigue and impress. Designed to be a mirror, the list of co*cktail offerings reflect a creation by Steve and a direct re-interpretation by Shingo himself.
Address: No 25, Lane 181, Taicang Lu, near Xingye Lu, Huangpu district
Opening Hours: 8PM – 4AM (Daily)
Enjoyed our article on Shanghai Bars? Check out our guide to China’s nightlife!
