Xiamen is a subtropical port city on the Fujian coast facing Taiwan, known for car-free Gulangyu Island (UNESCO), Nanputuo Temple, a beachfront ring road and Minnan seafood.
Xiamen's evening scene is relaxed and seaside: craft beer and live-music bars in Shapowei, seafront bars and night snacks in Zengcuo'an, whisky and jazz around Zhongshan Road, and sky lounges on the south-east waterfront.
Dinner finishes around 19:30-20:30, bars fill from about 21:00, and most close by 02:00-03:00. Metro lines end around 22:00-23:00, so plan DiDi for the return.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- 21:00-01:00
- Average drink
- Beer ¥25-50 (~$4-7); cocktails ¥60-120 (~$9-18); whisky from ¥70 per measure (~$10)
- Dress code
- Casual at nearly all venues; smart casual for sky lounges and hotel bars.
- Cover charge
- Venue details and hours change often. Verify opening times and addresses on Amap (Gaode) or Dianping before travelling, and carry a passport for ID checks.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Shapowei, Siming District
Former fishing harbour beside Xiamen University with cafes, small bars and murals.
Best for: craft beer and live music
Zengcuo'an and Huandao Road
Lantern-lit village lanes with night snacks, seafront bars and live buskers.
Best for: street food and sea-view drinks
Zhongshan Road and Minzu Road
Historic arcade district with whisky and jazz bars in side streets.
Best for: cocktails and jazz
Yanwu and Straits World Trade Center
Luxury towers on the south-east waterfront with sky lounges.
Best for: views and cocktails
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Fly Up Sky Lounge
Known for: Cocktails with city and sea views from the 60th floor
Room 6001, Tower A, Straits World Trade Center twin towers, 180 Yanwu West Road, Siming District, Xiamen (思明区演武西路180号世茂海峡大厦A塔60楼6001)
Thank You Cafe
Known for: Turntable nights between jazz and hip-hop
162 Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen (思明区大学路162号)
VITIS HOUSE
Known for: Whisky and live jazz and piano
Room 114-2, 1st Floor, Building 4, No. 47 Minzu Road, Siming District, Xiamen (思明区民族路47号4号楼1层114-2)
FatFat Beer Horse (PangPangBeer Ma, 胖胖啤酒马)
Known for: Craft beer on tap in a former harbour ice-plant building
Shapowei Art Zone area, Daxue Road, Xiagang Subdistrict, Siming District, Xiamen (思明区沙坡尾 大学路)
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Carry your passport; some venues check ID and photo ID may be required at sky lounges.
The last Gulangyu ferries leave in the evening and sell out, so do not plan late nights on the island unless staying overnight.
Use DiDi for taxis; street hailing late at night is unreliable.
Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card; carry some cash for small bars.