The Shelter

Swallow your claustrophobia and descend through a dark winding tunnel into the newest (and possibly only) DJ-centered bar in Shanghai. Once known as Blue Ice, The Shelter is a haven for clubbers who choose dancing over posing. The music on the dance floor doesn't get drowned out ... Read more »

Whose Home?

It's cleaner and tidier than our home is, but, similarly, 2nd Home, with its pictures of scantily clad girls and musicians, gives the feel of an adolescent's den–but without the angst and grunge. Little seems to have changed from the venue's previous incumbents, Pilpil ... Read more »

Bund Lounge with Room to Grow

This is an open yet oddly disjointed upscale lounge in the only place for an upscale lounge–the Bund. A whimsical mix of furniture styles from comfortable lounge chairs and caged candles to a digitized reproduction of Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring ... Read more »

Micro-breweries are the best invention ever and the draught at the Bund Brewery is no exception—a delicious light brew with a sweet after taste, 300ml for ¥33. Non-beer drinkers can choose from a massive range of unbrewed beverages and food as well–not just bar food, but real meals ... Read more »

The newest arrival on the hip-hop

circuit, Bling, lives up to its glitzy name.

Located above the Naked Cow, the

former Level Two has been transformed

into a decadent playground for the

Shanghai elite. Black walls and low-set

lamps draw your eyes to the dazzling

chandeliers and gold framed bar ... Read more »

Say hello to Jwow (pronounced "ciao") which is filling Senses' former spot. With a sister bar in Melbourne, the accent is very much on wine. The most obvious changes are the glass wine library (which doubles up as a Red Wine Village sales outlet) along with the glass wine cases ... Read more »

The first thought that comes to mind when you enter the historical Paramount building's latest creation is Studio 54 and BabyFace rolled into one. The Paramount Party Room's decor juxtaposes a 70s era disco, characterized by several glistening disco balls hanging from the ceiling, with the strobe lights ... Read more »

The latest in the Huaihai Lu mega-club family, Club Honey Honey, has the formula down to the T. Sporting a sound and lighting system that would make anyone's jaw drop, the club is well packed every night with mostly locals. Much the comparison with any other Shanghai club, this ... Read more »

Sometimes, you are in the mood for a relaxed drink in a softly-lit lounge and other times, for a face-melting guitar solo by one of China's up and coming rock bands. This bar hits the spot on both levels. The top area of the bar has a chilled out ... Read more »

This club is a mystery. Vast amounts of money have been spent on it, but the question is why? With names of cocktails like Warm Dior this place seems aimed at local nouveau riche. However, on a Saturday night visit it was empty with more staff than customers. There is ... Read more »

The latest wine bar in town is already creating a bit of a buzz. No pun intended. Part bar, part lounge, part retail space, Enoteca offers a wide selection of wines from France, Chile, Argentina and South Africa with deals in the works for Italy, Australia and Spain. Here’s ... Read more »

Bars situated on the Bund are often synonymous with glamour, luxury and elegance and in this respect, Indigo does not disappoint. While the interior doesn’t have a hint of the hue of its namesake, it still has a certain charm of its own. Step outside and you will encounter ... Read more »

When you’re as tired of the Bund spots as we are, you start being extremely grateful when good options open elsewhere. Such is the case with MAO. With an interior that would compete with any other high-end venue in the city, this club / lounge is small and cozy, exuding ... Read more »

Fantown is a cavernous refuge of dark, sleek, shiny class. This sprawling dance club features an unencumbered dance area upon a gleaming, obsidian floor surrounded by lots of swanky seating and metallic tables. The standard lasers and visual disorientation combine with the afore mentioned creating a “Battle Star Galactica” feel ... Read more »

Billed as a music pub, a band in fact only plays on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and seems to start late (10:30 p.m.). When the regular band is not belting out a mixture of rock, jazz and blues, there is a large screen showing various concerts with a ... Read more »

At the southern end of the Bund you will find Atanu lighthouse bar, an anachronistic emblem of old-world Shanghai. The tower itself consists of three floors. Skip the first floor and move up the spiral staircase and enter the main bar, where the amiable crowd of both staff and patrons ... Read more »

What is French for "all aboard my hearties"? Shuffle Bar has walked the plank and the space refilled with Gaelic electronica. The area, industrial in feel, is divided between the comfy front lounge area and backstage area. Both have well stocked bars; cocktails are mainly in the ¥45-50 range. Black ... Read more »

If you want to do some drinking, and Windows Scoreboard is getting too crowded, Tuya Bar is your place. There's a full bar list with an overwhelming number of drinks at •10, including Tiger beer on tap, Bacardi and cola, gin and tonic, and all your standards. The place ... Read more »

Looking for something a little "calor"?

Mundo Latino has set up shop on the north end of the bund, offering Shanghai the chance to wine, dine and dance to a Latin rhythm. The food and drinks are mediocre and fairly pricey, at RMB60 for a cocktail, but Mundo's saving ... Read more »

Judy Q is a club-ish lounge space that has little in common with its former tenant, Pegasus–which is a compliment. The setting provides for low-key, placid drinking sessions while listening to an eclectic music play list; the only theme on opening night seemed to be artists starting with the ... Read more »

After being thrown out from its old home on Siping Lu, this decade-long staple of the local music community has been resurrected at Dingxi Lu, right next door to C’s Bar, promising to bring a more local flavor to the area. The theme of the new SUS2 Music Factory ... Read more »

So, you're on your way back home from a tough day at the office and are in need of a beer and a low-key place to drink it in. Bull and Bear is lit with warm lights and the walls are wrapped in a comforting wood finish. There are ... Read more »

A wine lounge and restaurant connected to a wine shop should, in theory, have a long, enviable wine list. While Just Grapes only serves a handful of wines by the glass, the labels they chose were picked with care from their store. Each of the bottles wears a sticker indicating ... Read more »