Shanghai didn't earn the nickname "Paris of the Orient "without good reason. Amongst the Chinese, its reputation, like New York City's, is one of endless nights. It's not far from the truth as many bars stay open until 4am and later. Xintiandi and favorite bar streets Maoming Road and Julu Road are often packed into the dawn while the clubs continue thumping away throughout the early mornings.

Like restaurants, nightlife in Shanghai is fast and furious with places opening up and closing down nearly daily. If you plan on staying in Shanghai for some time, it's worth looking into which bars and clubs have drink specials on which nights. Although it is still China, going out in Shanghai is often far from cheap.

For live entertainment and special engagements, check the local magazines to keep up to date. DJ's from all over Asia and the world come to spin and Shanghai is becoming increasingly popular with visiting jazz musicians. Although Shanghai's rock scene can't hold a candle to Beijing's, the local hip-hop scene and the DJ culture is strong.

The beauty of Shanghai lies in a sentiment that is both nolstalgic and modern, like a free-spirited prose or a delicately prepared cup of coffee. In no better places than bars in Shanghai can we define the emotion.

In Shanghai most bars are housed in high rises or old mansions-distinctive and unique. Some are avant-garde, others archaic. People come to bars, not simply to get away from bustling daily life or to wind up one's own dream. They like the ambience here when relaxing with friends or taking business. In today's Shanghai, the bar is a popular culture where you should never worry about the possibility of being left behind.

Popular bars in Shanghai:

Cloud 9
On 87th floor of Grand Hyatt Hotel, Cloud 9 - 330 meters above ground - is regarded as the tallest bar in Shanghai. Looking out of the huge glass panels, you can have a bird's eye view of the lit-up Bund by night. Here is great for catching up with friends or for a date. Jazz classics and blues make the experience that much more mellow.
Address: 87F, Grand Hyatt Hotel, 88 Century Avenue
Tel: 021-50471234
Business Hours: Monday-Thursday 18:00-01:00; Friday, Saturday 18:00-02;00; Sunday 11:00-01:00.

B.A.T.S
The name and decor comes from another B.A.T.S bar in Jakarta, Indonesia. Huge cella bar with its brick walls give the feeling of being in a cave. Usually a live band nightly.
Address: Basement, Shangri-la Hotel, 3 Fucheng Road
Tel: 021-68828888
Business Hours: 18:00-2:00

La Villa Rouge
The music here ranges from old bluenote classics to modern contemporary jazz. Dark and smoky with red lamps calls to mind Shanghai's 1920's decadence.
Address: 811 Hengshan Road
Tel: 021-64319811
Business Hours: 11:30-02:00

O'Malley's Irish Pub
Typical Irish style. The benches, clunky wooden furniture and rustic interior decor coupled with hearty meals make O'Malley's great place to relax with friends. Its patio is the best poiny to watch Premiership football.
Address: 42, Taojiang Road
Tel: 021-64744533
Business hours: 10:00-02:00

Cotton Club
Live show 7 nights a week! Cotton club has the destinction of being the premier jazz bar in Shanghai. Besides music, the bar also boasts many posters on the wall - Bille Holiday, John William Coltrane, etc. The ambience is classic and a top notch.
Address: 8 Fuxing Road
Tel: 021-64377110
Business hours: 19:30-02:00

VUE
Located on the 32nd and 33rd floors of the Hyatt On the Bund, VUE Bar has a breath-taking view of both Pudong and the Bund. The sophisticated and intimate lounge features a wine cellar, day beds, comfortable seating arrangements.
Address: 32-33F, West Tower, Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huangpu Road
Tel: 021-63931234-6348
Business hours: 17:00-01:00

Oscar's Pub
With a classic Chinese name Li Xiang Garden, it is a truly english pub, lively but nt noisy. Beijing nostalgic and cozy in style, it is very popular with foreigners. The big screen carries mathches live and commentaries are welcome later. In Oscar's Pub, people from various nationalities enjoy their interaction and relaxing, pleasure-seeking atmosphere.
Address: 1377 Fuxing Road (M)
Tel: 021-64314881
Business hours: 10:30-01:00

TMSK
TMSK's interior decoration is equally eye-catching. The bar is made of luxurious blue and green glass tiles. With the glass decoration and the unique folk music, people could have a clear thinking there.
Address: Unit 2, House 11, North Block, Lane 181 Taicang Road
Tel: 021-63262227
Business hours: 13:30-01:30

M-box
M-box boasts the best Vodka - the image store of Absolut Vodka. In here, it;s a must try to find a cocktail that mixed by vodka. Appealing to various crowds, the live show begins 21:00 nightly.
Address: 3F Amico Tower, 1325 Huaihai Road (M)
Tel: 021-64451777
Business hours: 18:00-02:00