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DESTINATIONS china shanghai Bars & Nightlife

Bars & Nightlife

Some cities simply never sleep, and Shanghai is certainly one of those. In Shanghai, the party lasts till daylight - and then starts over. Like everything in Shanghai, the bar scene is developing fast with new venues opening every month. Gone are the grey days when fun was frowned upon as a bourgeois pursuit. Contemporary Shanghai is making up for lost time with everything from pulsating house music to sultry jazz. And here are the best bars and nightclubs in Shanghai, China:

Cottons / 棉花酒吧

Cottons / 棉花酒吧

The eponymous drinking hole of Cotton Ding has recently moved to a new home in a French Concession villa. The most intriguing element is its circular bed with the white voile drapes. But anyone not needing a snooze can enjoy the torch-lit courtyard and the enticing sofas …

M Glam / 魅蓝

M Glam / 魅蓝

It bills itself a "bar for grown-ups" - its décor features hand-painted Chinese screens and an oval chrome bar - and, of course, the amazing view over the Bund and the river for which M is famous. The Glamour Bar hosts an array of interesting events from live jazz to literary readings. It is …

House of Blues and Jazz

House of Blues and Jazz

House of Blues and Jazz is a relaxed venue which often hosts international live acts. There is no cover charge, and the drink menu is extensive, although mixed drinks are best skipped in favour of beer or wine. Opens in the afternoon; some dining options …

Bar Rouge

A quintessential nightlife hot spot, Bar Rouge is the place to see and be seen. Dressed-to-the-nines glitterati flock to this sleek, glamorous bar-club hybrid set smack in the middle of it all in Shanghai's Bund, overlooking the Pudong …

Barbarossa

Barbarossa holds three floors of Arabic opulence beside the lake in People’s Park. With its delicious cocktails and a serene atmosphere, it attracts a glamorous crowd and is one of the city's finest for a relaxed drink out. Every day, between 5 pm-8 pm, drinks are 50% …

M1NT

M1NT is Shanghai's definition of lavish opulence - with indoor shark tanks, exuberant decor style, pricey drinks, first-class views over the night city from its 24th-floor location and the notoriously strict dress code, the club is a sought-after nightlife spot for those looking to party in …

Boxing Cat Brewery / 拳击猫啤酒屋

Boxing Cat Brewery / 拳击猫啤酒屋

Boxing Cat Brewery is an award-winning small brewery with several locations across Shanghai. Here you can enjoy every type of beer from malt to ale and many different European favourites. They serve good pub grub, and the indoor screens are large enough to fully enjoy a sporting …

The Paramount / 百乐门

The Paramount / 百乐门

This Art Deco dance hall was the place to be seen in 1930s Shanghai (Charlie Chaplin once danced here), and it has now reopened for the twenty-first-century crowd. The clientele is mostly older, and the dancing done is old-style. This place is a real throwback to the glamour of old Shanghai, so strap on …

Dr Wine

The wine selection leans towards French but extends its scope to include international labels. The dimly-lit bar occupies two storeys that look nothing like the doctor's office, but a cure for (nearly) all ailments is served both by the glass and bottled. Delectable wine accompaniments and platters are highly …