Shanghai Nightlife Guide 2025: Best Bars, Clubs & Late-Night Spots

Shanghai has one of Asia's most dynamic nightlife scenes. From speakeasies hidden behind fake storefronts to rooftop bars overlooking the Bund, world-class clubs to traditional jazz lounges—this city never truly sleeps.

This comprehensive guide covers the best bars, clubs, and late-night experiences in Shanghai, organized by neighborhood and vibe.

Quick Overview

Type	Best Areas	Price Range
Cocktail bars	Former French Concession, Bund	¥80-150/drink
Rooftop bars	Bund, Lujiazui	¥100-200/drink
Clubs	Xintiandi, West Bund	¥100-300 cover
Dive bars	Jing'an, Xuhui	¥30-60/drink
Live music	French Concession	¥50-150 cover
Late-night food	Citywide	¥30-100

Understanding Shanghai Nightlife

Drinking Age

Legal drinking age in China: 18 years old

However, enforcement is minimal. Most bars don't check ID unless you look very young. Some upscale venues may require ID for entry.

Hours

• Bars: Typically 5 PM – 2 AM
• Clubs: 10 PM – 6 AM (peak hours 12 AM – 3 AM)
• Late-night bars: Open until 4-6 AM
• 24-hour spots: Some bars and restaurants never close

Pricing

Venue Type	Beer	Cocktail	Bottle Service
Local bar	¥20-40	¥40-60	N/A
Mid-range	¥40-60	¥60-100	¥800-2,000
Upscale	¥60-100	¥100-180	¥2,000-10,000
Hotel/Rooftop	¥80-150	¥150-250	¥5,000+

Payment

• WeChat/Alipay: Accepted almost everywhere
• Credit cards: Most upscale venues accept Visa/Mastercard
• Cash: Always works, some dive bars cash-only

Best Cocktail Bars

Speak Low (低语)

The most famous bar in Shanghai and regularly ranked among Asia's best.

Detail	Information
Address	579 Fuxing Middle Road
Style	Three-floor speakeasy
Signature	Seasonal creative cocktails
Price	¥100-150/cocktail
Reservation	Highly recommended
Dress code	Smart casual

The experience: Enter through a fake sandwich shop (literally order a sandwich to access), climb to progressively more exclusive floors. The top floor requires special access.

Must-try: Ask the bartender for their specialty—menus change seasonally.

Sober Company

Modern Taiwanese-influenced cocktail bar with a relaxed atmosphere.

Detail	Information
Address	99 Yandang Road
Style	Minimalist, friendly
Signature	Tea-based cocktails
Price	¥80-120/cocktail
Reservation	Recommended weekends
Dress code	Casual

Known for: Excellent whisky selection and Asian-inspired cocktails using local ingredients.

Union Trading Company

Rum-focused bar with extensive Caribbean influence.

Detail	Information
Address	64 Fenyang Road
Style	Colonial tropical
Signature	Rum cocktails, daiquiris
Price	¥80-130/cocktail
Reservation	Walk-in usually fine
Dress code	Casual

Highlight: Over 200 rums from around the world. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable.

Flask

Speakeasy hidden behind a Coca-Cola machine.

Detail	Information
Address	24 Sinan Road
Style	Intimate speakeasy
Signature	Classic cocktails with twist
Price	¥80-120/cocktail
Reservation	Essential on weekends
Dress code	Smart casual

How to enter: Push the Coca-Cola machine door. Inside is tiny—maybe 20 seats total.

Bar Rouge

Bund institution with unbeatable views.

Detail	Information
Address	Bund 18, 7F
Style	Glamorous rooftop
Signature	Champagne, classic cocktails
Price	¥150-250/cocktail
Dress code	Smart (no shorts, sneakers)
Best for	Special occasions, views

The view: Direct line to Oriental Pearl Tower and Pudong skyline. Particularly stunning at night.

Best Rooftop Bars

Flair (Ritz-Carlton)

Highest rooftop bar in Shanghai with 360-degree views.

Detail	Information
Address	Shanghai IFC, 58F
Style	Ultra-luxury
Signature	Premium cocktails, wine
Price	¥180-300/cocktail
Dress code	Smart elegant
Reservation	Required for terrace

Experience: The outdoor terrace offers perhaps the most spectacular view in the city—directly overlooking the Bund from Pudong side.

Vue Bar (Hyatt on the Bund)

Romantic setting with sweeping river views.

Detail	Information
Address	Hyatt on the Bund, 32-33F
Style	Sophisticated lounge
Signature	Cocktails, jacuzzi
Price	¥120-180/cocktail
Dress code	Smart casual
Best for	Date night

Unique: Heated jacuzzis on the outdoor terrace (swimwear required, reserve in advance).

Char Bar (Hotel Indigo)

Best Bund view from the Bund itself.

Detail	Information
Address	Hotel Indigo, 29-31F
Style	Modern steakhouse bar
Signature	Cocktails, whisky
Price	¥100-150/cocktail
Dress code	Smart casual

Why go: Located on the Bund, offering views to both sides—historic buildings and Pudong skyline.

POP Bar (Three on the Bund)

Fashionable crowd with excellent terrace.

Detail	Information
Address	Three on the Bund, 7F
Style	Trendy, buzzy
Signature	Champagne, cocktails
Price	¥130-200/cocktail
Dress code	Smart
Best for	Pre-dinner drinks

Best Clubs

Le Baron

Exclusive fashion-industry hangout.

Detail	Information
Address	20 Donghu Road
Style	Intimate, exclusive
Music	House, disco, eclectic
Cover	¥100-200
Hours	11 PM – 6 AM
Best night	Friday, Saturday

Vibe: Small venue, big energy. Attracts fashion crowd, models, creative industry. Notoriously selective door.

TAXX

Massive superclub with international DJs.

Detail	Information
Address	118 Ruihong Road
Style	Mega-club
Music	EDM, house
Cover	¥100-300
Hours	10 PM – late
Best night	Saturday

Scale: One of China's largest clubs, hosting major international acts. Multiple rooms, production value matches European mega-clubs.

Elevator

Underground techno institution.

Detail	Information
Address	4 Xiangshan Road
Style	Basement techno
Music	Techno, house
Cover	¥80-150
Hours	11 PM – 6 AM
Best night	Friday, Saturday

Crowd: Serious music heads, techno enthusiasts, international DJs.

Dada

Alternative culture hub with eclectic programming.

Detail	Information
Address	115 Xingfu Road
Style	Underground, artsy
Music	Everything—techno, hip-hop, experimental
Cover	¥50-100
Hours	9 PM – late
Best for	Adventurous music

Vibe: Unpretentious, diverse crowds, focus on music over scene.

M1NT

Glamorous rooftop club with shark tank.

Detail	Information
Address	24F, 318 Fuzhou Road
Style	Luxury lounge/club
Music	House, top 40
Cover	¥200-500
Dress code	Strict (no sportswear)
Hours	10 PM – 4 AM

Famous for: A literal shark tank behind the DJ booth. Attracts wealthy crowd, finance types.

Best Live Music Venues

JZ Club

Shanghai's premier jazz venue.

Detail	Information
Address	46 Fuxing West Road
Style	Jazz club
Acts	Local and international jazz
Cover	¥100-200 (varies by act)
Hours	7 PM – 2 AM

Experience: Intimate setting, serious jazz programming. Founded by one of China's most famous jazz musicians.

Yuyintang (育音堂)

Legendary rock/indie venue.

Detail	Information
Address	851 Kaixuan Road
Style	Indie/rock venue
Acts	Local and touring rock/indie
Cover	¥80-200
Hours	8 PM – late

History: One of China's most important venues for rock and independent music. Raw, authentic atmosphere.

The Pearl

Cocktails and live jazz in beautiful setting.

Detail	Information
Address	471 Zhapu Road
Style	Jazz supper club
Acts	Jazz, swing
Cover	Usually free, minimum spend
Hours	6 PM – 2 AM

Vibe: 1920s Shanghai glamour recreated. Excellent cocktails, dinner available.

Best Neighborhood Guide

French Concession (法租界)

Best for: Cocktail bars, wine bars, intimate venues

Vibe: Tree-lined streets, converted lane houses, sophisticated crowd

Top picks:

• Speak Low (cocktails)
• Union Trading Company (rum)
• Boxing Cat Brewery (craft beer)
• Cotton's (garden bar)

Getting there: Metro Line 1/10 to South Shaanxi Road

The Bund (外滩)

Best for: Rooftop bars, glamorous nights, views

Vibe: Spectacular skyline, upscale, special occasion

Top picks:

• Bar Rouge (club/bar)
• Char Bar (views)
• POP Bar (terrace)
• Long Bar (Waldorf history)

Getting there: Metro Line 2/10 to East Nanjing Road

Xintiandi (新天地)

Best for: Upscale nightlife, accessible fun

Vibe: Modern shikumen architecture, international crowd

Top picks:

• Brown Sugar (cocktails)
• TMSK (restaurant bar)
• Multiple club options

Getting there: Metro Line 10/13 to Xintiandi

Jing'an (静安)

Best for: Diverse options, local bars, late night

Vibe: Urban energy, mixed crowd

Top picks:

• Epic (cocktails)
• Bistro Burger (late-night food + drinks)
• Abbey Road (live music)

Getting there: Metro Line 2/7 to Jing'an Temple

Xuhui/Hengshan Road

Best for: Bar hopping, backpacker bars, late night

Vibe: Accessible, energetic, younger crowd

Top picks:

• Perry's (classic expat bar)
• The Camel (sports bar)
• Constellation (whisky)

Getting there: Metro Line 1 to Hengshan Road

Late-Night Food

Best After-Midnight Options

Spot	Type	Hours	Must-Order
Yang's Dumplings (佳家汤包)	Soup dumplings	24 hours (some locations)	Xiaolongbao
Jiajia Tang Bao	Street dumplings	Late night	Shengjianbao
Haidilao	Hot pot	24 hours	Any pot
Xiao Yang Shengjianbao	Pan-fried dumplings	Until 2 AM	Shengjianbao
Chuanchuanxiang	Skewers	Until 4 AM	Lamb skewers
Convenience stores	7-Eleven, FamilyMart	24 hours	Oden, onigiri

Best Late-Night Food Streets

Shouning Road (寿宁路):

• Crawfish central
• Open-air tables
• Loud, messy, fun
• Peak hours: 10 PM – 2 AM
• Best for: Xiaolongxia (crawfish), beer

Yunnan South Road (云南南路):

• Classic Shanghai street food
• Dumplings, noodles
• Older crowd, authentic

Huanghe Road (黄河路):

• Night food market vibe
• Near People's Square
• Mix of restaurants

Drinking Culture Tips

Bar Etiquette

1. Tipping: Not expected but appreciated at Western-style cocktail bars
2. Reservations: Essential at popular speakeasies, especially weekends
3. Dress codes: Enforced at upscale venues—no shorts, flip-flops
4. Door policies: Some exclusive clubs are selective
5. Minimum spend: Some rooftop bars require minimum purchase

Ordering Drinks

Useful phrases:

English	Chinese	Pinyin
Beer	啤酒	píjiǔ
Cocktail	鸡尾酒	jīwěijiǔ
Wine	红酒/白葡萄酒	hóngjiǔ/bái pútaojiǔ
Whisky	威士忌	wēishìjì
Ice	冰	bīng
No ice	不要冰	bú yào bīng
The bill	买单	mǎidān
Another one	再来一杯	zài lái yī bēi

Safety Tips

1. Take licensed taxis/Didi – Don't accept rides from strangers
2. Watch your drink – Standard bar safety applies
3. Avoid scams – Don't follow strangers to "special" bars
4. Know your limits – Altitude + alcohol + heat can hit harder
5. Keep phone charged – Need it for Didi home
6. Save hotel address in Chinese – Show to taxi driver

Getting Home

Transportation after midnight:

Option	Availability	Notes
Didi	24/7	Most reliable, set pickup point clearly
Taxi	24/7	Available but may refuse short trips
Metro	Until ~10:30 PM	Last train varies by line
Walking	Always	Some areas very safe late night

Didi tip: Prices surge after 11 PM. Consider Premier/Luxe for faster pickup.

Sample Nightlife Itineraries

Classic Night Out

Time	Activity	Location
6:00 PM	Sunset drinks	Flair or Char Bar
8:00 PM	Dinner	Mr & Mrs Bund or similar
10:00 PM	Cocktails	Speak Low
12:00 AM	Dancing	Le Baron or Dada
3:00 AM	Late-night snack	Shouning Road crawfish

Chill Evening

Time	Activity	Location
7:00 PM	Wine and cheese	Wine bars in French Concession
9:00 PM	Jazz	JZ Club or The Pearl
11:00 PM	Nightcap	Constellation or Union Trading
12:30 AM	Walk the Bund	Huangpu Riverside

Bachelor/Bachelorette Night

Time	Activity	Location
7:00 PM	Group dinner	Xintiandi area
9:30 PM	Pre-game drinks	TMSK or Brown Sugar
11:00 PM	Club	TAXX or M1NT
3:00 AM	Late night food	Haidilao hot pot

Budget Night

Time	Activity	Location
8:00 PM	Happy hour	Many bars have 2-for-1 until 8-9 PM
10:00 PM	Local bar	Perry's, Boxing Cat
12:00 AM	Street food	Any night market

Seasonal Considerations

Summer (June-August)

• Rooftop bars are packed and hot
• AC essential—choose indoor venues
• Typhoon season may affect plans
• Terrace bars have misting systems

Winter (December-February)

• Rooftop terraces closed or heated
• Indoor speakeasies perfect
• Chinese New Year = many closures
• Book restaurants/bars ahead for NYE

Best Months

• October-November: Perfect weather, outdoor terraces ideal
• April-May: Spring, pleasant temperatures
• September: Summer heat fading, still warm for terraces

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the drinking age in Shanghai?

18 years old, but rarely checked except at very strict venues.

Are clubs expensive?

Cover charges range from ¥100-300. Drinks inside are ¥80-200. Bottle service starts around ¥2,000.

Do I need to dress up?

For rooftop bars and clubs, yes—smart casual minimum. Speakeasies and neighborhood bars are more casual.

Is Shanghai safe at night?

Yes, very safe. Normal urban precautions apply—watch your belongings, use licensed transportation.

Can I use English?

At most upscale bars and clubs, staff speak basic English. Local dive bars may be Chinese-only.

How do I get into exclusive clubs?

Dress well, arrive early (before midnight), know someone, or use table/bottle service.

What if I don't drink alcohol?

Most cocktail bars make excellent mocktails. Soft drinks and tea always available.

Do bars take credit cards?

Upscale venues accept Visa/Mastercard. Smaller bars prefer Alipay/WeChat or cash.

What time do people go out?

Dinner: 7-9 PM. Bars: 9-11 PM. Clubs: after 11 PM, peak around 1 AM.

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Planning your Shanghai nights? The China Survival Kit includes complete Shanghai guides, payment setup, transportation tips, and essential phrases for navigating China's most cosmopolitan city.