Shanghai is China's largest city and a global financial hub, where gleaming skyscrapers tower over historic colonial-era buildings along the iconic Bund waterfront. A dynamic metropolis blending East and West, Shanghai offers world-class dining, vibrant arts and culture, and remarkable contrasts between ancient gardens and futuristic architecture.
Shanghai has one of Asia's most dynamic nightlife scenes, ranking alongside Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Bangkok for after-dark entertainment. The city offers everything from sophisticated cocktail bars on the Bund to underground electronic music clubs, rooftop bars with skyline views, live music venues, jazz clubs, and karaoke palaces. The French Concession and Bund are the main hubs for bars and restaurants; Yongkang Road is famous for its dense cluster of casual bars; and clubs in Jing'an and North Bund serve the late-night electronic music crowd.
Very lively with options for every style and budget. International DJs headline major venues regularly; the craft cocktail scene is world-class; live jazz is alive and well in historic venues. Most places fill up after 10PM and clubs run until 5-6AM.
At a glance
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
The Bund / South Bund
High-end rooftop bars and Bund-view cocktail lounges attract expats, business travelers, and Shanghai's elite. New Heights at Three on the Bund and Sir Elly's Terrace at The Peninsula are crown jewels.
Best for: Couples, special occasions, people who appreciate stunning views with their drinks
Yongkang Road, French Concession
A single block of 30+ bars and restaurants that has become Shanghai's most democratic drinking street. Plastic stools spill onto the pavement and the energy is casual and friendly from 6PM onwards.
Best for: Budget-conscious socializing, meeting locals and expats, casual drinks before dinner
Jing'an / Nanjing West Road
Home to some of Shanghai's best clubs and DJ bars, particularly around the Jing'an Temple and Changshu Road metro stations. The stretch has a more international crowd and state-of-the-art music.
Best for: Electronic music, late-night clubbing, international DJs
North Bund / Hongkou
Emerging nightlife strip with riverside rooftop bars offering excellent Bund views at lower prices than the Bund itself. The Nest and Vue Bar are well-regarded venues.
Best for: Value, river views, live music
Xintiandi
The Xintiandi complex has Shanghai's most vibrant mix of upscale bars, wine bars, and late-night dining. Popular with wealthy locals, expats, and tourists seeking a glamorous night out.
Best for: Stylish bars, dining-to-drinking evenings, seeing and being seen
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Speak Low
Repeatedly ranked Asia's best bar, Speak Low operates on two levels — a street-level bottle shop and a secret bar upstairs serving exceptional cocktails inspired by Japanese bar culture. Often ranked in the World's 50 Best Bars.
Known for: Award-winning craft cocktails with Japanese precision
Sir Elly's Terrace
Perched on top of The Peninsula Hotel, Sir Elly's is Shanghai's most exclusive rooftop bar with breathtaking 360-degree views. Dress up and arrive before sunset.
Known for: Unmatched Bund views with luxury cocktails
New Heights
The most accessible rooftop experience on the Bund — Three on the Bund's top floor has an open terrace with great views of Pudong and classic cocktails at prices below the top-tier venues.
Known for: Casual Bund-view terrace dining and cocktails
The Long Bar at Waldorf Astoria
Originally the longest bar in Asia when it opened in 1911 at the Shanghai Club, The Long Bar has been impeccably restored as part of the Waldorf Astoria. A must-visit for its history and atmosphere.
Known for: Singapore Slings in the legendary 1910 space
Sunnyside
A chic, small French Concession bar specializing in natural wine and inventive low-waste cocktails in a cozy, warmly lit space. Great for a date or intimate drink with friends.
Known for: Natural wine and creative cocktails
WOOBAR at W Hotel
W Shanghai's signature bar brings a high-energy, design-forward vibe to the South Bund with DJs most nights, an extensive cocktail menu, and great views of the river.
Known for: DJ bar with South Bund views
Barbarossa
One of Shanghai's most atmospheric bars sits on the edge of People's Park lake, creating a surreal magic-carpet experience with Persian rugs, shisha, and sunset cocktails overlooking the water.
Known for: Shisha and cocktails on a lake in People's Park
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Elevator
Shanghai's premier underground electronic music club in Jing'an, hosting international techno and house DJs. The intimate industrial space and excellent sound system attract serious music fans.
Cover: ¥100-200 ($14-28)
Hours: 10PM-6AM (Fri-Sat)
Celia Club
A stylish mid-size club on the Bund area with a sophisticated crowd and quality international DJ bookings. The club occupies a heritage building with stunning industrial-chic interiors.
Cover: ¥80-150 ($11-21)
Hours: 11PM-6AM (Fri-Sat)
TAXX
One of Shanghai's most popular mainstream clubs with a massive multi-room layout, VIP table service culture, and varied music programming appealing to Chinese and international crowds alike.
Cover: ¥80-150 ($11-21)
Hours: 10PM-5AM
Arkham
A grungy, underground basement club beloved by the local creative and art community, featuring emerging DJs, live electronic acts, and an unpretentious door policy.
Cover: ¥60-120 ($8-17)
Hours: 10PM-5AM
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Live music
The Wooden Box (jazz, Jing'an), MAO Livehouse (indie/rock, multiple venues), The Nest (North Bund, live bands nightly), The Peace Hotel Jazz Bar (classic jazz)
Late dining
Mr & Mrs Bund serves until 2AM; Xintiandi restaurants until midnight; Nanjing Road fast food 24 hours
Shisha
Available at Barbarossa (People's Park), and several Middle Eastern restaurants in Hongkou District
Rooftop
Sir Elly's Terrace (Peninsula), VUE Bar (Hyatt on the Bund), New Heights (Three on the Bund), WOOBAR (W Hotel South Bund)
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
The Yongkang Road strip has the best value drinks — ¥20-30 beers and lively mix of locals and expats
Top cocktail bars book up — Speak Low requires a reservation; walk-ins often wait 30-45 minutes
Clubs use a table service model — a minimum spend table gives better access than door queuing
Keep your DiDi app charged for late-night rides; ride-hailing surges on weekend nights
The Bund rooftop bars are best at 6-9PM — after that capacity fills quickly
On weekday nights the best clubs still run late but with smaller, more local crowds
Karaoke (KTV) is a uniquely Chinese entertainment form — KTV Box in Xujiahui or Melody in Xintiandi are popular