Welcome to Shanghai’s #1 nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Shanghai. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
Contents show
The world’s largest city, Shanghai, has the beautiful Huangpu River in its center and skyscrapers lining the borders on either side. With its dense population, rich history, and colorful nightlife, this sleepless city is worth a visit! Here’s a complete guide to prime your time in Shanghai.
About Shanghai
Being the industrial and commercial center of the country, Shanghai has two important residential areas, Pudong and Puxi. The Bund waterfront is the most famous location in the Puxi area, featuring plenty of tourist spots and western culture. On the other hand, residential and economic skyscrapers dominate the Pudong area.
Highlights of Shanghai
Shanghai has a population of over 24 million. Nicknamed the New York of Asia, the city never sleeps and hosts the best nightlife in the world. Tourists flock to the city to indulge in the old and modern shanghai and get a closer look at the local life.
The panoramic views from the observation decks, a tea ceremony at theConfucius temple, and authentic local lunch at the Former French Concession area are the best Shanghai experiences.
Interesting Facts About Shanghai
Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and has the second-fastest elevator in the world. It is the world financial center and the birthplace of Chinese cinema. Yinqixing Indoor skiing site, one of the largest on the planet, is a glorious spot to go skiing.
The city has an amazing transportation system, with Shanghai maglev being the fastest train that connects Pudong international airport to downtown Shanghai. In addition, it has the longest metro system in the world and the oldest operating trolley bus system.
Disneyland Shanghai is one of the main tourism spots attracting plenty of tourists globally. It is 11 times larger than the original Disneyland in California and holds the biggest castle and the second-largest theme park in the world.
Shanghai’s Art
Shanghai has its own architectural culture called the Shikumen style. The variety of architectural buildings in the world-famous Bund resembles the Roman, Gothic-Renaissance culture.
The medieval old city has plenty of beautiful water towns which preserve the canals and unique old houses. It is home to plenty of ancient and contemporary museums, including the Rockbund Art Museum and Power Station of Art. National History Museum, one of China’s largest and Shanghai museums, displays over 120000 pieces of ancient Chinese art.
Shanghai has adapted to modern architecture by modernizing the city with many iconic skyscrapers, including the China Pavilion and the Bund Finance Center. In addition, Pudong Skyline has plenty of financial and trade towers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower.
Shanghai’s Culture
The culture of Shanghai is blooming by becoming more Cosmopolitan yet firmly grounded in its tradition. With the fusion of Wu and Yue culture, Shanghai-style culture embodies both traditional Chinese and foreign cultures. Known as Hai Pai, it portrays the diversified essence of the ocean.
With the global influx of people, the city has become an international cultural capital in recent years. In addition, it conducts expos, increasing the development of its creative industries.
Shanghai’s Lifestyle
As a thriving metropolis city, Shankar has a blend of both traditionalism and modernity. It has several ancient water towns connected through canal boats and the most attractive mainland China city welcoming ex-pats from worldwide. As a result, it is one of the busiest cities in China.
Shanghai has a unique local culture in the world. Locals work harder and enjoy their nights in style. The older generation loves taking long walks while the younger generation spends hours working and partying.
Shanghai’s Nightlife
From dazzling rooftop bars to swinging jazz clubs, Shanghai streets have the biggest clubbing areas in the world. Of course, clubbing in Shanghai is expensive, but it’s worth the price for its fantastic view of the skyline and the Huangpu River.
The top dancing bars, lounges, and night restaurants flock to the Bund waterfront area, with plenty of people enjoying a co*cktail every night. Most bars offer cheap drinks and food where locals and ex-pats come together to relax after a long day.
The city organizes a variety of performances from Latin bands and Filipino performers. In addition, you can have a great time at neon-lit lounges and sing your heart out at various karaoke places scattered throughout the city.
Best Bars & Nightclubs in Shanghai
Zapata’s
Being one of the most popular bars in town, Jupiter hosts a good mix of locals and tourists every night. As a result, the place gets super crowded and has a vibrant atmosphere on the weekends.
It’s the best Mexican bar in China that offers amazing tacos, empanadas, burritos, and a great tequila selection. They organize lady’s nights, salsa nights, and open mic nights every Thursday while the DJs play fun and incredible music to dance all night.
Address: 11 Dongping Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
Phone Number: +86 21 6433 4104
Timing: 4:00 p.m-1:00 a.m.
The Glamour Bar
A beautifully decorated glamour bar is one of the best night bars to visit in Shanghai. This is a multi-functional space that organizes plenty of festivals, live performances, and events. The bar with plenty of bends resembles the image of a ladies’ shoe.
A cool venue with a superb view, co*cktail list, and super friendly staff. Both locals and foreigners visit this venue for its amazing ambiance and attentive English-speaking staff. Happy hours are the perfect time to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Bund from this local bar.
Address: China, Shanghai Shi, Huangpu, Wai Tan, Guangdong Rd, 20号近外滩
Phone Number: +86 21 6350 9988
Timing: 5.30 p.m-2:00 a.m.
Vue Bar
A high-quality rooftop bar to enjoy good quality drinks and the best views of Shanghai City late at night. The bar serves a wide variety of premium beverages and refined champagnes on the menu.
It has day-bed seating and a whirlpool bath, with a DJ turning this venue into a scintillating nightspot. Perched on the top of the Hyatt restaurant, Vue bar is frequented by plenty of foreigners.
The bar has a panoramic view of the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline. Get a glimpse of this fantastic view by sipping on a co*cktail at their bar with good snacks.
Address: 199 Huangpu Rd, Hongkou District, Shanghai, China, 200080
Phone Number: +86 21 6393 1234 ext. 6348
Timing: 5:30 p.m-1:00 a.m.
Bar Constellation
Hailed for its extensive collection of co*cktails and Japanese-style bartending, this is the perfect spotfor drinkers to enjoy alcohol indulging in endless bowls of snacks.
The dim lighting, wooden interiors, and stacked-up co*cktail bars create a cool and cozy atmosphere. They serve cigars, whiskey, and hot liquors.
Address: 31 Yongjia Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China
Phone Number: +86 21 5465 5993
Timing: 5:00 p.m-2:00 a.m.
Captain Bar
Captain bar is one of the affordable bars in the city with a great roof terrace and beautiful view. The decor is nautical-themed with fun marine arts, a cozy seating area for youngsters, and a menu ranging from pizza to popular co*cktails.
It is a casual place to visit with a group of friends or family members and enjoy a quiet night secluded from the city. Enjoy chill Vibes and tasty co*cktails with a fantastic outdoor terrace portraying the full views of the Lujiazui skyline.
Address: 福州路37号, Huangpu, Shanghai, China
Phone Number: +86 21 6323 5053
Timing: 5:00 p.m-6:00 a.m.
The Blarney Stone Irish Pub
A little hole-in-the-Wall bar is a long-time favorite Irish pub in Shanghai. The wood walls embody rustic Irish culture, and the bar attracts a large male crowd as it’s typically a sports bar screening plenty of sports events on its flat screens.
The bar has a great selection of craft beers, such as Guinness, and finger foods like the mozzarella sticks. So if you are looking for a decent pint in an old pub, this is the perfect spot for your tribe.
Address: 77 Yongkang Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
Phone Number: +86 21 6422 6605
Timing: 4:00 p.m-2:00 a.m.
Bar Rouge
Bar Rouge is the perfect nightlife destination for travelers to have a fun night in the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world’s finest clubs. It is famous for its DJ drink and dance culture where you can find plenty of youngsters dancing the entire night.
It is a stylishly designed nightclub that attracts international and local audiences for its lighting systems, LED screens, special dance floors, and fantastic theme parties. The rooftop terrace offers an amazing view of The Skyline of Shanghai with private VIP seating. This is one of the must-visit clubs in Shanghai to have an unforgettable nightlife experience.
Address: China, Shanghai Shi, 黄浦区 Nan Jing Dong Lu, 中山东一路18号
Phone Number: +86 21 6339 1199
Timing: 5:00 p.m-1:00 a.m.
Best Restaurants to Have Late-Night Food in Shanghai
Kartel Wine Bar
A fantastic rooftop bar with a mesmerizing view of the city and a great selection of drinks and food. The rooftop section invites plenty of people every night, and their menu has a variety of mains, desserts, starters, and co*cktails.
The bar serves international food like burgers, platters, cured meats, and not traditional Chinese food. The oldest rooftop bar has a bird’s-eye view of the premium places in Shanghai.
The terrace is a great place to hang out in the summer, and they have a chalet-style cabane in the winter months. This is a must-visit modern and unique bar for wine lovers.
Address: China, Shanghai, Jing’an District, Xiangyang N Rd, 15号层
Phone Number: +86 21 5404 2899
Timing: 5:00 p.m-2:00 a.m.
Website link: https://kartel-shanghai.com/
The Long Bar at the Waldorf Astoria
An iconic old-fashioned bar in Shanghai is worth a visit for a relaxing atmosphere, delicious food, and jazz music. In addition, the bar serves a great selection of co*cktails and special gin. With gorgeous retro decor and live performances by artists, this restaurant never fails to impress its guests.
The staff is extremely friendly and professional, and bartenders offer fantastic service and great hospitality. It is the perfect romantic restaurant to try out their oysters and other seafood delicacies. An amazing jazz band performs on weekdays.
Have a look at the long bar and the great lineage within to enjoy its historical presence and modern appeal. It’s a fantastic experience to have a few drinks and escape from the busy city in this iconic landmark at night.
Address: 2 Zhongshan East 1st Rd, Waitan, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200082
Phone Number: +86 21 6322 9988
Timing: 4:00 p.m-1:00 a.m.
Website link: https://waldorfastoriahotels.com.cn/zh-cn/hotel/shanghai/waldorf-astoria-shanghai-SHAWAWA/index.html
Senator Saloon
This great little restaurant is a good place to enjoythe best bar bites and cold beer. The environment is beautiful and sophisticated, with professional bartenders serving your alcoholic beverages in style.
Designed in 1920 style with glamorous interiors, the restaurant has an intimate atmosphere. If you love enjoying good quality co*cktails and spirits and partying like a movie star, this is the best place to visit in Shanghai.
The soft music and dim lighting set the perfect mood to enjoy a romantic night with your loved one or enjoy drinks with friends. It’s a great hidden co*cktail spot in the old streets of Shanghai.
Address: 98 Wuyuan Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 200003
Phone Number: +86 21 5423 1330
Timing: 5:00 p.m-2:00 a.m.
Website link: http://www.senatorsaloon.com/
The Spot
The spot is one of the most popular restaurants frequented by locals and tourists worldwide. It has a great atmosphere with outdoor seating, television, a full bar, and live music for both lunch and dinner. In addition, it is one of the iconic sports bars in the city, welcoming youngsters to watch live games with their friends.
A Relaxed place to spend your evenings with a beer and finger foods. Westerners frequent this restaurant for its good food and cover bands. They have two floors where the upper floor is spacious, with sofas and the smoking room, while the downstairs has an open seating area.
If you are a foreigner or a solo traveler visiting Shanghai, visit this restaurant as it’s one of the safest hangout spots at night. They have happy Hours and play live music every night.
Address: 255 Tongren Rd, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China, 200040
Phone Number: +86 21 6247 3579
Timing:
Sunday- Thursday- 11:00 a.m-2:00 a.m.
Friday & Saturday – 11:00 a.m-3:00 a.m.
Website link: http://www.thespot.com.cn/
How Nightlife Scintillates in Shanghai?
As the shimmering lights of skyscrapers catch our eyes at sunset, the never-sleeping city gets ready to shake a leg with its visitors. One of the most exhilarating metropolises offers plenty of impressive night activities to enjoy, including street shopping, clubbing, night food tours, rooftop lounges, and midnight dance bars.
This is a fun place to squander at night with friends and dance to good live music. State-of-the-art theatres and auditoriums organize special events which you can enjoy till the wee hours.DJs at electronic clubs play terrific music to keep your spirits alive till sunrise. The cramped dancefloors, crowd-pleasing anthems, and chilling discos make you vibe all night. Both locals and foreigners love the Raggae, Hip-Hop, Techno, experimental and mainstream music.
There are no real bar streets in Shanghai. However, you can share a cab with some friends to visit different club areas in the city. It has many expensive and affordable co*cktail bars, lounges, and rock music clubs in prime locations. If you are looking for a variety of nightlife experiences, every Thursday and weekend, many bars offer free drinks, entrance, and gifts.
Bowling, karting, theme parks, and cinemas are other entertainment centers open late at night for people to enjoy with friends and family. Shanghai offers every type of night experience, with the best entertainment spots to spend your nights.
Shanghai is slightly expensive compared to Chinese cities. They have strict drinking and partying rules where smoking indoors in public places is forbidden. People under the age of 18 must not drink or buy alcohol.
Foods to Eat Late at Night in Shanghai
Shanghai is famous for its cuisine that is slightly on the sweeter side. Many streets sell traditional local snacks such as crab shell cakes, begonia cakes, and pan-fried buns. Peking duck, steamed crabs, braised pork, fried pork buns, and sweet pasty soups are the most recommended delicacies in the old town.
People who love culinary tours mustvisit Changli street, which has plenty of barbecue restaurants on the side of the road. And try the amazing seafood delicacies at Tongbei. For authentic fried rice and crayfish, take a trip to the Shouning street and indulge in the crispy Chinese fried chicken at the Linfen night market.
The most famous culinary tour,Untour Shanghai Food tours,is the perfect one to enjoy the various delicacies at prime locations in the city. Soup dumplings are one of the best dishes to try out when you visit Shanghai. Eel noodles, rice meal balls, scallion pancakes, scallion oil noodles, soy milk custard, sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, and fried pork dumplings are other famous dishes to try when you visit shanghai.
Things to Do Late at Night in Shanghai
The colorful Bund waterfront is one of the enchanting places to visit at night. Take a stroll and enjoy the changing lights of The Oriental Pearl Tower or admire the impressive Shanghai Skyline.
Enjoy the magnificent colors of the Bhagwanpur river by taking an evening boat cruise. Then, shop at Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping street lined up with plenty of old shops, shopping malls, and traditional eateries.
Spend the evening at the Yuyuan garden and visit the Jade Buddha temple. Then, visit the Tian Zi Fang night market to buy traditional antiques, arts, and crafts. You can buy necklaces, wells, and fancy decor items at the night market on Dongchang street.
Watch an acrobatic show at Shanghai circus world and even enjoy their high-quality performances late at night. Spend time with your kids at the Shanghai happy valley theme park.Visit the Shanghai Xintiandi to sing, dance, and drink at old Shanghai houses. Enjoy the night scenery at the Qibao Old Street and try out their street snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nightlife in Shanghai
Is Shanghai Safe at Night?
Shanghai is one of the busiest cities, full of activity on its crowded streets. However, it is one of the relatively safe areas in China where both locals and tourists can spend a lot of time at night.
What are the things to do as a visitor in Shanghai?
Explore the Venice of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao water town by walking down the Fangsheng Bridge and Khezi gardens. Then, take a romantic boat ride along the canals of the adjacent water villages. Finally, visit the indoor and outdoor mineral-rich pools of the Gokurakuyu hot springs to relax.
What is Shanghai Famous for?
Shanghai, popularly known as the Paris of the East, is famous for its architectural legacy along its waterfront promenade. In addition, it has plenty of iconic tourist spots that symbolize modern China.
Conclusion
The “Pearl of Asia”, with transcending skyscrapers, bustling markets, and splendid sightseeing areas, is one of the must-visit tourist destinations in the world. If you love partying and enjoying hot fried foods on the streets of a bustling city, you should add Shanghai to your itinerary.
The city has plenty of happening nightclubs, bars, restaurants, night markets and theme parks, museums, and art galleries to enjoy late-night with your family members. Boasting a blended culture of the east and the west, the city has the best historical landmarks, with traditional architectural buildings and modern, ever-expanding skylines.
Changi is a shopping paradise with plenty of traditional outdoor markets and vibrant night markets. In addition, it has a colorful nightlife with nightclubs, theatres, museums featuring opera, music, dance drama, acrobatics, and puppet shows.
Book a trip to this iconic city to spend countless remarkable nights making memories with your loved ones. Take a chance to be one of the first few people to try what may become a world-famous tourist spot. The biggest advantage is; you don’t have to learn Chinese to visit Shanghai. So pack your bags, folks!
![Shanghai Nightlife • A Complete Guide [2024 June Update] (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)