10 Amazing 1930's Vintage Bars in Shanghai

Shanghai is a city with a rich, glamorous history. In fact, these amazing bars bring back the glamor that Shanghai was once famous for.

Peace Hotel

Address: 20 Nanjing Road East 

Tel: [phone] 

The Peace Hotel is a landmark of Shanghai that historically served as a glamorous playground for the elite. Every night was an extravagant gala event and veritable Parisian fashion show. And at the Jazz Bar, one can relive the classic glamour with a 1920’s and 30’s styled classic cocktail list while listening to the Old Jazz Band perform. These musicians have an average age of 82, so you get to experience a living history while sipping your drink.

Long Bar

Address: No.2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu

Tel: [phone]

At 34 metres (110 feet), the L-shaped bar in raw mahogany was reputed to be the longest in the Far East when it opened in 1910. Housed at Number 2 on the Bund, in what is considered one of the finest architectural gems on the famous Shanghai Bund, it hosted aristocrats, business titans and other figures of influence. While the original Long Bar was lost during past contentions, it has been recreated to original specifications today. Every element of the bar – from marble columns, stained glass windows to ornate wall panelling – has been carefully studied and reproduced from archival photographic records.  

Salon De Ning

Address: No. 32 The Bund ,32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road 
Tel: [phone]

Salon de Ning, located in the Peninsula hotel, is draped in all the decadence that the 1920's is known for today. Named in honor of a fictional character, Madame Ning was a glamorous socialite that enjoyed her many social scenes. Animal prints with dramatic oil paintings, draping silks and cascading chandeliers lend a seductive ambience within which guests enjoy iconic cocktails or a bottle of Salon de Ning Rosé Champagne accompanied by live music.

Constellation 6

Address: 77 Fenyang Lu

Tel: [phone]

On Fenyang Lu, the sixth installment of Constellation rings up all the exquisite beauty of the 1930’s: brass ceilings, long wooden bars and sharply dressed barmen who warmly welcome you. Classic cocktails come to life in this establishment. Summer or winter, it is the perfect place to go if you want to step back in time.

The Pearl

Address: 471 Zhapu Lu

Tel: [phone]

Located in Hong Kou district, this magnificently designed structure was built in the 1930’s and is reminiscent of Moulin Rouge. Providing a variety of theatrical entertainment, it is most famous for it’s burlesque cabaret performances.

Candor

Address: 57 Maoming lu

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 7pm-2am

Tel: [phone]

Located on the third floor of one of Shanghai’s historical theaters, Lyceum Theater, Candor is a jazzy burlesque bar that blends live entertainment and crafted cocktails. It’s interior is red-themed like a circus inspired Victorian lounge, which complements the sulty shows they put on each week.

Speak Low

Address: 579 Fuxing Zhong Lu,

Tel: [phone]

Speak Low is one of Shanghai’s most well-known speakeasies. Hiding behind the guise of a cocktail equipment specialty store, the windy entrance to the bar is reminiscent of the prohibition era.

Suit Club

Where: 50 Ruijin Er Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu, Xuhui district

Tel: [phone]

Similar to Speak Low, Suit Club is a hidden bar behind a fully functioning gentleman’s tailor. While you make your tailored suit, you can wander around the shop and look for the clues that will let you into the bar.

Dry Goods

Address: 160 Taiyuan Lu, Marshall Mansions, Basement, near Yongjia Lu

Hours: Tues-Sat, 8pm-2am 

Tel: [phone]

Located next to Roosevelt Steakhouse on Taiyuan Lu, this speakeasy is behind the guise of a shop selling dried goods. So you need to walk inside there, go through and exit out the back. Enter the building directly across the exit and you’ll see an illuminati dollar bill. It is contemporary in décor compared to the other speak easies, where it looks more like a lounge in Manhattan than a walk through time.

Senator Saloon

Address: 98 Wuyuan Lu

Tel: [phone]

Senator Saloon is not really a speak easy, but the décor of the bar is in the style of the 1940’s where it is richly decorated in leather with hints of gold. The entire bar and ceiling is embossed with a style that is en vogue of the time.  

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