This crass wine bar gets key things wrong. We strolled up on a warm spring evening to be greeted by the sweet sounds of Lil’ Wayne at ear-splitting decibels. While the outdoor terrace is a fantastic venue for afternoon leisure on a sunny summer day, it’s obvious that very ... Read More
Located in Bund 22 just across from L’Ecallier, The Martini Bar is tucked away behind a deli, making it feel like a speakeasy. The third floor lounge brings us back to the ’30s with classical music, dark wood, ceiling fans and fake books on the walls. A rare open-air ... Read More
The new Windows gives us exactly what we’ve come to expect from the wonderfully grungy chain of dives. This version, like the others, is already packed with young Chinese clientele, who can’t resist the cheap pitchers, pool tables and cheesy pop bleating from the speakers. It’s tough ... Read More
Sandwiched between a cheap hotel and a massage parlor, this unpretentious lounge-club serves as an intimate haunt where you can get sweaty on the dance floor or pre-game with friends before clubbing. Deep red lighting and square leather couches makes it reminiscent of Bar Rouge while the open layout feels ... Read More
Tucked away on Shaoxing Lu, Dean’s Bottle Shop houses high-end and specialty spirits ideal for stocking a sumptuous home bar or picking up an opulent gift (try the 30-year-old Macallan for RMB8,000) to up your guanxi. The tiny shop’s tidy walls are lined with premium liquors, wines ... Read More
This Bund 18 club bleats cheesy pop long into the night as yuppie patrons recline on low sofas, slugging single malt and playing dice. While the river views are legit, the neon glare from the bar is a bit much. If a successful ladies’ night is gauged by the number ... Read More
Kyo-San’s most recent endeavor shows signs of maturity. In its fashionable location next to Dr. Wine on Fumin Lu, the still-tiny cocktail bar will receive far more foot traffic than its dressed down Jing’an location. The neon beehive wall treatments create a lounge vibe, while guests seated at ... Read More
With graffiti covering almost every inch of wall space and Oktoberfest- style wooden tables and benches, this backpacker hangout provides chilled out music and cheap eats for college students and travelers from all ends of the earth seeking a cheap buzz. Like the décor, the menu offers a shotgun approach ... Read More
Jazz music paired with dark lighting at this chic bistro bar creates a relaxed ambiance perfect for anyone seeking respite from Shanghai’s noise pollution. The beautiful rose-toned lounge, with comfy leather couches sectioned off by long white curtains, is ideal for an intimate date or sharing a bottle of ... Read More
This urban jungle-themed bar seems to attract open-minded clientele. It doesn’t take too much more than a few deliciously sinful cocktails (RMB50-70) to get us through the door and onto the dance floor. We have high hopes that once they outfit the minimalist, concrete-walled interior with a full time ... Read More
Boom Shanghai has emerged out of Tantra’s ashes, exploding onto the scene as a vibrant new dance venue. The club opened on Feb. 18 with German DJ Sven Vath packing the floor with a thousand party people. Run by the Cool DJ Agency, Boom is backed by the force ... Read More
It’s no surprise that the sumptuous bar at the city’s newest Italian restaurant has a vast array of fine and rare spirits. Master mixologist Dario Gentile has stocked his temple beautifully with aged vermouths, moscato, meticulously blended powders and homemade infusions. An enormous 90kg block of ice is ... Read More
This new club has drawn flocks of ABCs, locals (and the expats who love them) away from Muse and over to People’s Square to mix and mesh while getting bleary-eyed on booze and grinding to hip-hop hits. While nearly every ABC has checked into Eden lately, we’re doubtful ... Read More
If you frequent The Loft space down Xiangyang Lu, this tucked-away pub might just be your new local. While it will take some time to build the bar’s character, the cozy spot has a decent selection of house wines, imported brews and fine whiskeys. They’ve got decent lunch ... Read More
Tucked away in the depths of the former French Concession, Misael aspires to a be a classy neighborhood cocktail joint but leaves us with the impression that it’s just another “check-the-box” bar pedaling in the wake of Shanghai’s mixology craze. Drinks are strong and made with top-shelf stuff ... Read More
This student paradise has an inside that looks like an outside. The walls are covered in graffiti and a cement bartop is reminiscent of a curb. You get the feeling that you’re in the ultimate frat house basement. There’s a pool table, dartboards and bar games galore. The ... Read More
Taking over Bourbon Street’s former Hengshan Lu space, Fly looks to grab the Jersey Shore crowd. The slick, all- black interior is assailed by loud fist pumping music, while secret service-like floor managers ensure VIPs get safely wasted. An extensive drink list is mostly par for the course but ... Read More
The Fennel Lounge hums every night of the week with hipsters, industry buffs and neighborhood regulars. This reconfiguration of Anar proves that getting the basics right is the recipe to success. There’s no gimmick or quirky concept here. Quality drinks and decent service go a long way. Look past ... Read More
Cozy up with friends and enjoy a La Chouffe draft (RMB40) or a fruity Leiffeman’s Frambois (RMB40) at this charming European café. Vintage decor, funky glassware and crafy design make this Yongkang Lu spot feel like an aprés-ski chalet. Check the chalkboard for specialty Belgian brews and gnaw on ... Read More
Brought to us by the owners of Mokkos, this Japanese haven has a great vibe. Set just a few blocks off the Bund, Jiao Bar is inviting and warm, emitting an old world feel with private rooms ensconced in dark wood. While shochu is the main attration, subtle reggae tunes ... Read More
This zany Chinese club’s light bright sign just popped up on Jiangning Lu and we couldn’t resist the glare. Trot up the fur-trimmed staircase, down a moving mirrored tunnel and try not to barf up all that baijiu as you come up for air in a hazy cave ... Read More
This roomy craft brewery (by the Dr. Wine people) has a good vibe and inviting décor. Dim lighting, wood-paneled walls and beer brewed on site make it a welcome addition to Shanghai’s growing microbrewery scene. Dr. Beer makes five proprietary beers (including three private tables with their own taps ... Read More
This sports bar just got a face-lift, and it’s looking decidedly more Spanish. From the Spaniard in the kitchen to the FC Barcelona jerseys on the rust red walls, this place is about as authentic as you can get. They’ve got San Miguel on tap (RMB14) and pitchers ... Read More
Taking up residence in Mao’s old location, Hollywood Shanghai has made a few renovations to the former after-hours hangout. They’ve moved the DJ table to make it the central focus of the nightclub, with resident DJ Jobo oscillating between hip-hop, house and pop to serve the dance floor ... Read More
Set in a ship-like loft in the Langham Xintiandi, this is one of the few quiet spots for a drink in this hectic area. The short menu focuses on martinis (from RMB90), and they’ve made an effort to keep things interesting with a stable of stiffly prepared classics supplemented ... Read More