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Nightlife Hotly contesting with Beijing the title of China’s nightlife capital, Shanghai has a frenetic nightlife scene, with a proliferation of venues. There is also a strong ex-pat strain in the nightlife scene, which makes it very welcoming to outsiders. Bars and clubs seem to be everywhere, although are concentrated particularly along Hengshan Lu and Maoming Nan Lu in the French Concession area (with offshoots in Fuxing Park and the grounds of the Ruijin Guest House, 118 Ruijin Er Lu), Nanjing Xi Lu (for a quieter more mature ambience) and Julu Lu (for sleaze). As ever, the major hotels have fine high-class bars. There is no minimum drinking age in China and prices are often surprisingly reasonable, with many bars making a speciality of RMB10 standards. Many venues do not even charge entrance and most are open every night – there is no fear of passing a Sunday or Monday without action. Veterans of Hong Kong or Western cities may be disappointed to discover that almost all venues outside Julu Lu close at 0300 at the latest, although most punters will have had too much fun by the small hours to care anyway. The majority of clubs and bars stay open until about 0200 but some venues continue serving alcohol until 0500 or later. Details of the best venues are carried in That’s Shanghai (website: www.thatsshanghai.com) and Shanghai Talk (website: www.shanghai-ed.com) listings magazines. Bars: Face, Building 4, Ruijin Guest House gardens, 118 Ruijin Er Lu, is one of the loveliest buildings and bars in Shanghai – a dark-panelled 1930s mansion filled with pan-Asian artifacts and a cosmopolitan herd of drinkers (escape them on the outside lawns). O’Malley’s, 42 Taojiang Lu, is a staple of the ex-pat bars, with a solidly Irish beer garden. KABB, Lane 181, Taicang Lu, is a great terraced vantage point for watching the chic street crowd in Xintiandi. Bonne Santé, First Floor, Easter Tower, 8 Jinan Lu, is a comfortable and sophisticated wine bar, while Windows Too, 1699 Nanjing Xi Lu, recently revitalised, is the most sociable and vibrant of the RMB10-per-drink dive bars. Casinos: Casinos are illegal in China. Clubs: Rojam, Fourth Floor, Hong Kong Plaza, 283 Huaihai Dong Lu, is queen of the club scene, still attracting the cream of international DJs that visit Shanghai, and is a full-on clubbers’ resort on its regular nights. BOV, 42 Qinghai Lu, is no-nonsense no-frills clubbing action at RMB10 a shot. A-Void/Buddha Bar, 172 Maoming Nan Lu, pulls in mad punters who find Judy’s Too, 176 Mao Ming Nan Lu, just up the road, too tame. Velvet Underground, 608 Jianguo Xi Lu, has a varied music and entertainment policy, as well as consistent popularity. Real Love, 10 Hengshan Lu, is the most popular meat market. California Club, 2 Gaolan Lu, Fuxing Park, is part of the Shanghai Lan Kwai Fong strip imported from Hong Kong and sells itself on cosmopolitan sophistication. Live music: Live bands are regular features of the Shanghai bar and club scene, often appearing at O’Malleys (see above). M-Box, 1325 Huaihai Dong Lu, has a repertoire from local pop to reggae. Tropicana, Eighth Floor, 261 Sichuan Dong Lu, is a fixture of the Shanghai Latino scene. Swing Music Café, 788 Hongxu Lu, caters to the most sophisticated clientele, with Filipino band Far-to-See providing the noise. |
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