Our Top Pick of Shanghai's LGBTQIA+ Bars
While we would like to think that ALL bars and restaurants in Shanghai are LGBTQIA+ friendly, there are a few places that are LGBTQIA+ hubs. Here are our top picks!
Roxie
Address: 2/F, 359 Kangding Lu
Tel: 021 3159 3600
Hours: Daily, 6pm-2am
Rebranded from the former rock n' roll bar Hepcat, Roxie is arguably one of the best lesbian-friendly bars in the city at the moment. The interior is pretty trendy - there are bare brick walls, mixed up with neon blue lights and a bunch of bras hanging from poles off the ceiling for full effect. However, it is Roxie's active involvement within the LGBT+ community which takes it to the top of our list. They regularly hold organization meetups, monthly screenings of recent films and charity auctions. The atmosphere can be lively at night and chill during the day, a great place to hang out with friends.
Lucca 390
Address: 390 Panyu Lu
Tel: 021 52956979
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 6pm-3am
Website: www.lucca.cc
Lucca is probably the biggest spot in the ‘gaybourhood’ (Fahuazhen Lu area). On weeknights, it's a great place to meet up with friends for reasonably priced drinks and a dance. Lucca turns into a busy dance club on the weekend, when partygoers fill up the dance floor. There are regular themed parties with DJ's, live bands, comedy shows, art events - check the website for details of upcoming events.
M Cafe
Address: 390 Panyu Lu
Tel: 5218 2933
Hours: Daily, 10am-2am
Attached to Lucca is M Cafe, it's a normal quiet cafe by day that turns up the music at night. They can even roll back one of the walls and open it up to Lucca.
PAW & SIX
Address: F6 Room C, 390 Panyu Road, near Fahuazhen Road, Xuhui district
Tel: 021 5295 6979
Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 8pm-2am
PAW & SIX is located above Lucca. It's a pro-bear space packed with lots of eye candy if you're into Bears/Pandas that is! Keep an eye out for topless Bear Bar Tenders.
Happiness 42
Address: 42 Xingfu Lu
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8pm-3am
From the same owners as Lucca comes Happiness 42 - a lounge style bar where you can hang out with your friends, have a quiet drink and a catch-up. It's known for it's all you can drink from RMB 100 deal and amazing cocktails. They have events like SatDragDay, themed parties and silent discos.
Rice Bar
Address: 2/F, 532-1 Fa Hua Zhen Lu
Tel: 021 52308772
Hours: Daily, 8pm-2am
For those looking for a small bar for a quick drink, Rice bar is the perfect quaint spot. This Japanese gay bar is an inclusive place where the owner ensures each customer’s needs are taken care of, regardless the nationality, job, age and background. Opened in 2009, the store has been running for over seven years and provides a sense of belonging and warmth to many.
Blendi & Trying Boys Bar
Address: 171 Jian Guo Zhong Lu
Tel: 021 64179327
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 1pm-1am, Friday to Sunday, 1pm-2am
Near Tian Zi Fang Exit 4, Blendi and Trying Boys Bar accepts everyone regardless of sexuality. When here, grab a few bites as well as something to eat. Previously at Yong Jia Lu and Madang Lu, the place transforms from an artisanal café in the day to a modern and trendy bar at night. Every Friday, they will even bar singers and host various activities and events for diners.
Lollipop Bar & Lounge
Address: 141 Tai’an Lu
Tel: 021 62814891
Hours: Daily, 8pm-2am
Located next to a French restaurant, Lollipop bar is styled after a European bar with French chandeliers, lollipop décor, and comfy sofas. The boss, James, is a famous bartender from Taiwan, with over 20 years of bartending experience. According to your preferences, the bartenders mix your drinks to your taste. Worth checking out for a great cocktail.
Q-bar Wine & Whisky
Address: No. 225 1 Rui Jin Er Lu
Tel: 15900911729
Despite its small storefront, Q-bar Wine & Whisky attracts a great turnout and is conveniently located at Tian Zi Fang Exit 4. The bar has a mid-century look and feel with red curtains and naked light bulbs. A great place for hanging out with two or three friends.
LGBT-friendly Bars that Host LGBTQIA+ Events
DALIAH
Address: 08 Shanxi Bei Lu (near Beijing Xi Lu).
Tel: +86 21 6288 8773
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11am-12am; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-10:30pm
Daliah is a queer community-based space that encourages difference, subculture, experimentation and ambiguity. They want to be the magical crack in the social system, where new aesthetics, radical concepts of living and loving become possible. With a wild mix of food that’s a match of healthy Austrian cuisine combined with Western flavour twisted with playful elements. Creating a community around food and drinks is their mission.
The Cut
Address: IAMP 6/F, 999 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Tel: 6443 5136
Hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
The Cut is a French restaurant and grill from the masterminds behind Mr & Mrs Bund and Bar Rouge. Situated in the IAPM shopping mall it boasts an excellent downtown location. On top of the is he an amazing rooftop. The Cut has just started hosting LGBTQIA+ events such as SNAP!
The Parrot
Address: 7 Donghu Lu
Tel: +86 21 5466 0026
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 8pm-2am; Friday and Saturday, 8pm-late
A fun, LGBT-friendly funky disco bar, which gets busy at the end of the week and spills out into an outside alleyway, which THEN becomes a social micro scene of Shanghai. SNAP! (of Daliah parties) curates several LGBT events like “Thirstation Thursdays” here most evenings.
Celia
Address: 298 Xingfu Lu
Tel: 159 2192 4280
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11pm-10am
Situated close to the 'gaybourhood' Celia is a well known late night hang out that is super LGBTQIA+ friendly. Last year they hosted the closing party for Pride 2017 and they welcome all people all day every day.
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