Top bars in Shanghai

A must do for your first trip to Shanghai. The most famous jazz troupe in Shanghai can be found each night playing at the legendary Jazz Bar in the iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel. The house 'Old Jazz Band' is made up of six charming, elderly Shanghainese musicians, whose average age is 82. For decades these players have entertained audiences including U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. This is as authentic as it gets. People coming from all over the world swarm to experience their unique jazz music – a most memorable experience, not to be missed.

From this venue, you can see the stunning view of the Bund and the Huangpu River from the Digital Garden patio. This is one of the most famous bars in the city, mixing up an assortment of high-end cocktails against a soundtrack of minimal techno and deep house. No cheap, but still jam-packed with classy folks in Friday and Saturday.

One of the many “speakeasies” that dots the Shanghai drinking landscape, this Shingo Gokan-owned establishment is unique in that it has three distinct bars on three different floors. One the first: a small room for shots and beers; The second features an open and lively New York-style bar that serves up craft cocktails from New York’s best bars. And the third floor is a Japanese-style cocktail bar hidden behind a sliding wall that offers a menu of delicious offerings thought up by Gokan and head bartender Atsushi Suzuki. Since earning the title of 15th Best Bar in the World from Drinks International, its become the place to go for awesome drinks in Shanghai. If you manage to make it to the third floor, try the Moanin’ cocktail, which is made with Japanese whisky, sake, wasabi, and orange marmalade, or Mack the Knife, which is spiked with orange gin.

This is one of the poshest clubs in Shanghai. It's on the top floor of a skyscraper near the Bund and affords nice views of the city. Inside, there are shark tanks and lots of luxurious decor, plus a high-end restaurant, a club and a lounge area. Drinks are pricey (~100rmb). Music is commercial house, mash-up, some funky house in the week (they play more R&B and hip hop in the lounge). Clientele is mixed Chinese and foreign, lots of young people on the dance floor and older, dressy folk at tables. There's a door policy, so if you want to be assured of entrance, either get a membership card or phone ahead and reserve a table.