[TOP 10] Streets Ideal for Drinking, Partying and More

Whatever happens to YKL, we are sure it's not the end of roadside drinking and hanging out. For those who are wondering where else to congregate for hours of non-stop drinking, here are a few alternatives for your outdoor drinking debauchery.

1. WUDING LU

Center of the hipster crowd, Wuding Lu is the latest happening street for drinks, food and a good crowd. Want to start with wine? Begin the night at Enoterra where they have a vast wine selection, or head over to Ola with its Spanish and Portuguese imported beer, or if you are feeling French you can head over to Le Cafe des Stagiaires. Need something a little stronger? LAB Whisky & Cocktail is just next door with it's varied selection of single-malts and whisky cocktails.

Hungry? No worries. Malabar, serving Mediterranean style tapas, is waiting next door as well as a handful of trendy restaurants like Grinder, Fat Cow, Hunter Gatherer or Raw Eatery and Grill. Revolucion A whole night can be made by just walking door to door here. If you're not into frat-parties, but are a hipster Jing'an hood rat, this is the place for you!

Enoterra

Malabar

2. ZHONG PLAZA

Zhong Plaza is the place to be for cool, hip urbanites. It offers a mixture of eateries and watering holes within steps of each other. So much so, you can conveniently jump from place to place without ever needing to use Uber. 

Located within a Shikumen building opposite an old neighborhood on Taixin Lu, this open plaza is a bustling place with a young, upscale and vibrant crowd. It is not excessively loud, which is good for the local old lane house neighbors. YKL favorite Tap House is located here. Go upscale and enjoy a special cocktail at Logan's Punch, with their hip hop mix music, or go for whisky cocktails at Oji or El Ocho. Need food to fuel your night? Fill your tummies at Tomatito or at Flames Woodfire Kebab - yes Zhong Plaza has it all in one convenient location. If you enjoy vibrant late nights and cocktails rather than chugging beers, this place is worth the taxi ride.

Tap House

Logan's Punch

3. DAGU LU

Located right at the footsteps of Top of the City between Chengdu Lu and Shimen Yi Lu, Dagu Lu offers a combination of restaurants, bars and houses, plus the city's most concentrated number of massage and beauty parlors. What better place is there to down a few beers or cocktails, maybe even get a massage or buy a few DVDs?

YKL heavy weight Le Cafe des Stagiaires is here with La Chouffe on tap. For some good IPA, head to Pinthouse just a few doors down. Or, if you need your mixed cocktails, head over to Bar Gatsby. Hungry? No worries, lots of food options from Shanghai Republik with its sprawling terrace, perfect for catching the sun or, if French food is not your thing, you can get some spice at Masala Art. Their incredible masala dishes can indulge any spice cravings. And for massages, try Subconscious Day Spa, Skin City 5.5 or Taipan. If lazy afternoon brunches and a mellow terrace atmosphere is your thing, Dagu Lu is the perfect fit for you! Or, if beer is your thing, go and head down to Co,Cheese/Hop Project or Caxton. 

Le Cafe des Stagiaires

Shanghai Republik

4. LAOWAIJIE (HONGMEI ENTERTAINMENT STREET)

In the heart of Gubei, where you will see more expats than Shanghainese, is this magnificent strip of bars mixed with international cuisine. There are lots of popular restaurants with great tap selections like Papa's Bierstube and its huge variety of German IPAs, or sports bars Big Bamboo, Tap House and Shanghai Brewery. Different cuisines are offered, from popular Yanping Lu American restaurant Fat Cow to Mamacita for Mexican and Delhi Darbar. Looking for a cocktail? Check out Art & Whisky, a new bar specializing in all things whisky.

Given it is in an expat neighborhood, this is not the typical Shanghai city crowd. It is more family oriented and you will see your fair share of international high school kids out and about. Be ready to hear a lot of high pitched squeals from teenagers or see a lot of dad's enjoying a babysitting break. If you want a family environment, this is a good option. You won't have as many problems trying to snag a taxi since most people who come here live in the area and have their own private cars.

Art & Whisky

Shanghai Brewery

5. DONGPING LU/ HENGSHAN LU

Long gone are the days of O'Malley's, which was one of the most famous old drinking establishments on Taojiang Lu in the Hengshan Lu district. Instead, Dongping Lu has taken over with an eclectic mix of watering holes and restaurants. Famous Zapata's and their Wednesday Ladies Night, Sasha's with their vast terrace and happy hour specials, and Spanish cuisine newcomer La Cocina are part of this dynamic bar crawler's dream neighborhood. Also on Dongping Lu are popular restaurants Di Shui Dong and Green & Safe. The Camel, with their multiple TV screens, is the ideal place to catch a game and, don’t forget any night out on Dongping Lu is not complete without a stop at Lola. But, before you head over there and get immersed in the music, drop by The Beaver for a quick pick-me-up. La Cabane

This is the perfect spot if you want to relive your college or high school years, especially past 1am.

Zapata's

La cocina

6. FUMIN LU/ CHANGLE LU

Talk about the heart of hipster FFC. Sprawling sidewalks, it is the absolute destination to see the who’s  who of Shanghai. Starting form Funkadeli, it is packed by the time 7pm. Next door Tepito and Chicken x Egg is just the same. Seems like outdoor spaces is just where the cool cats hang! Over at TRIBE, the newly opened organic restaurant attracts a health conscious crowd, but don’t be fooled….their Fig Old Fashioned may just be the reason the A-crowd hits this spot. If a little privacy is your thing, walk over to Changle Lu and Shanxi S. Lu to United Valley, you can enjoy a great night at Magnolia Room, the speakeasy of TOUR bar, or head up to Shrine. But, you better leave your sins at the door.

Funkadeli

TRIBE

7. SHANXI BEI LU

Looking for a down home, neighborhood feel? Shanxi Bei Lu has it all. Home to Dogtown, Rooster and Sumerian, you can find the top of Shanghai’s night owls gathered for a low down drink before starting the night. Rooster and Dogtown too boyish for you? Walk down a few steps and you can get your girly dose from Daliah. Or, looking for something more loungy? Hit up Dope Shifu!

Rooster

Daliah

8. FOUND 158

This is Shanghai’s latest mass F&B hub. Whether it is a classy night out with JZ Club or the magical Blackstone Magic Bar, there is a lot here that caters to everyone’s taste. From food, with whiffs of deliciousness coming from Homeslice, Hooked, Cyclo, El Santo. But, you know this is the party place with the kings of nightlife from Café Des Staigaires. 

Blackstone Magic bar

JZ Club

9. FENGSHENGLI

This shukumen-sytle area is one of the latest mega projects to be completed in Shanghai. The area house the enormous new Goose Island Brew Pub, The Hard Rock, French Rotisserie Chicken hotspot Heat, and the Taiwaanese Jazz and whiskey joint EZ5. More fashion brands and restaurants are reportedly on the way, but for now it’s good enough to go check out on a Friday night, it’s right next to the West Nanjing Metro so it’s super convenient. 

Goose Island

EZ5

10. FENYANG LU

Barules, Union Trading Co., Constellation

This may not be the traditional outdoor drinking area, but it still requires a nod of respect. Beginning with 

Barules

Constellation

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