Best Bars in Shanghai

Our Local Expert Says:

An expat secret and a great place to take a date.

Description:

Live jazz nightly is the hallmark of this local institution, Shanghai's longest running and still the best venue for live jazz and blues. The bands are skilled, the tunes are tight, and the informal, darkly atmospheric club often attracts standing-room-only crowds on weekends. 7pm to 2am. Live music plays from 9:30pm to midnight during the week and from 10:15pm to 1:30am on Friday and Saturday.

Description:

Brought to you by Kathleen of the KABB American bistro fame, this popular, unpretentious "just-the-drinks-ma'am" kind of bar has expanded in the last few years to seven locations, though the most popular are those at Tongren Lu and on Maoming Lu. Draft beers are reasonably priced and the grub is pretty good as well. The crowd starts off mostly foreign, which has a funny way of drawing in the locals. 11am to 2am.

Our Local Expert Says:

A regular stop in expat circles with a wide variety of brews.

Description:

This very comfortable pub in a colonial villa is extremely popular with Shanghai's foreign residents (especially with its outdoor garden). Kilkenny and Guinness are on tap, and it's easy to quaff one too many here. The bartenders are tops, but sadly there's no longer any live Irish music. Monday through Saturday 11:30am to 2am, Sunday 10am to 1am.

Our Local Expert Says:

After undergoing a facelift in Spring 2008, Bar Rouge remains one of the hottest bars on the Bund.

Description:

This newly open space at Bund 18 provides a less frenzied atmosphere than Bar Rouge to unwind, relax, and nosh on some tapas with your fanciful cocktails. Sunday to Wednesday 2pm to 12:30am; Thursday to Saturday 2pm to late.

Description:

This venue is an oasis of music and sumptuous cocktails, seemingly imported directly from Monaco. Shanghai's hottest DJs and most beautiful people rock the MAO dance floor late into the night. The space feels like a breath of fresh air to the off-the-Bund club scene and the outdoor garden and semi-private rooms allows for a change of atmosphere within the same space.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best happy hour deals in the city!

Description:

Dressed in cool white and marble, the warmly lit interior of this elegant Bund view dining room also houses a seafood bar and lounge. Sip slick martinis as you chill out to the tunes of DJ Teng Boon, every Thursday night.

Our Local Expert Says:

In addition the Shanghai Literary Festival, Glamour Bar also hosts cultural lectures and events on weekend afternoons. A swanky place to enjoy Bund views day or night.

Description:

Now a Bund classic, the Glamour Bar is an elegant space for an evening cocktail or to take a date or a visitor. Wooden floors, leather chairs, velour ottomans and sparkling deco lamps combine for a feminine, chic interior, while huge, arched and paned windows provide a view over the Huangpu River and the futuristic Pudong area. Service is mixed as is the quality of the drinks. However, besides the view, the other draw card is the selection of random live acts and events from cabaret to book launches that take place on a semi-regular basis. The Glamour Bar is also home to the annual Shanghai Literary Festival.

Description:

This bar is a big favorite among expatriates and travelers alike. The Sky Lounge is perched on almost the top floor of the Jin Mao Building on top of Cloud nine as they say. Only the sightseeing platform is higher. It is cozy, warm and dimly lit, but with a modern and trendy décor. It has an extensive drinks list. Thai and other Asian snacks are also available. Sweet peanuts scented with lemongrass are usually served with drinks. Excellent wines can be selected by the glass.

Description:

Located on the ground floor of Building 4 of the Ruijin Guest House, the posh and opulent Face Bar attracts Shanghai's beautiful people. The huge wooden faces lining the walls of this atmospheric establishment give the bar its name. Take a seat at the antique Chinese tables, or recline on the opium beds and sample the numerous, decadent alcoholic creations. For the teetotaler, the non-alcoholic lemonades are homemade and delicious. The wine list changes every few months. Happy hour is from 5:30pm until 7:30pm.

Our Local Expert Says:

best outdoor bar

Description:

A very popular place for drinks in the paved outdoor area or inside the stately home, Sasha's is one of Shanghai's longest running venues. Built in the 1930s, it was also owned by the Soong family and the décor is old Shanghai style with heavy wood furniture and lanterns. The service is average and the prices are high, but on a summer evening, the garden is packed for happy hour. At the bar, there is a range of dishes available with pretty decent pizzas and a fine dining restaurant upstairs. Perfect for after work drinks after a long week, or to rest up after sightseeing all day.