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 will make you feel instantly more welcome than any of the more exclusive locations that cut a swath along China's most prestigious waterfront. Chairs are pushed aside as couples indulge in some light-hearted salsa, and the manager stands poised, ready to screw a lit cigarette between your lips. The third floor opens out to reveal a beautiful terrace that incorporates the panoramic nightscape. Relax at a candlelit table and work your way through a modest selection of ¥50 cocktails–the effects of which are supplemented by an intoxicating discharge of fumes from Yan'an Lu.

Perfect For: Pretending you "see the plane!"

Add: 1 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu

中山东二路1号

Tel: 3313-0871

The Verdict: 4