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50 Ways To Drink Like a Shanghai Expat

ShanghaiWOWeng 2018-11-30


Shanghai is an eccentric city that allows you to really live life to the fullest and, with the city’s vibrant F&B scene, you're never short of exciting things to nibble on or beautiful cocktails to drink. So, without further ado, here are 50 quintessential ways to get your drink on like a Shanghai expat.



1. Cultured Drinker



Shanghai is such a historical place, we cannot forget that many drinking establishments also have a rich cultural past. Among those establishments is the Long Bar at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (2 Zhong Shan Dongyi Lu, Tel: 021-63229988) which used to be a high-end social club in the swinging 20s.


2. Bund View




You cannot drink in Shanghai without mentioning the Bund. Bars like Bar Rouge (7FL,18 Zhong Shan Dongyi Lu, Tel: 021-6339119), Glam Bar (7FL, 20 Guangdong Lu, Tel: 021-63293751), The Captain (6FL, 37 Fuzhou Lu, Tel: 021-63237869) and UNICO (2FL, 3 Zhong Shan Dongyi Lu, Tel: 021-53085399) offer unparalleled views of the Lujiazui skyline from the Bund. 


3. Pudong



Puxi may have the Bund, but other areas like Binjiang Avenue offer similarly-beautiful views of the city. Check out Vapiano (24-26 Fucheng Lu, Tel: 021-50777718) and have a Spritz while looking over to the Bund. 


4. Posh Hotels



Shanghai is home to some of the world’s most posh hotels, and what can be classier than drinks at the top of the Ritz Carlton at Flair? Arguably nothing. Another option is to enjoy views from Sir Elly’s (13FL, 32 Zhong Shan Dongyi Lu, Tel: 021 23276756), perched on the Peninsula Hotel, or from VUE bar (30FL, 199 Huangpu Lu, Tel: 63931234) at the Hyatt on The Bund. 

 

5. Speakeasy




Shanghai’s vibrant bar scene is not without doorways that are reminiscent of the prohibition era. Check out exquisitely-made cocktails at The Bunker by Flask (2nd floor, 181 Taicang Lu, Tel: 021-53820315), if you can find the entrance.


6. World’s Best 50



Topping the bar scene has to be the king of Shanghai which graced the lists of Asia’s Best 50 and World’s Best 50 with Speak Low (579 Fuxing Zhong Lu, Tel: 021-64160133). It is hidden behind the guise of a cocktail supply shop in the FFC; it would be a pity to miss it. And, of course, the notably popular Union Trading Company.


7. Convenience Store


Photo Credit: Flickr user: bon King


So we have high-end living and we also now show you a bit on the “budget” side with convenience store drinking. Our favorite? Family Mart! It has vodka, whisky and baijiu that will certainly turn your nights (or days) into a party to remember. 


8. Home Delivery



Although Shanghai’s bar scene is pretty hoppin’, nothing beats having booze delivered to your home! Shanghai9.com, or the WeChat account Laiba can feed your drinking frenzy. But that’s not all: online grocers like Kate and Kimi (www.kateandkimi.com), Fields (www.fieldschina.cn) and online delivery Sherpas (www.sherpas.com.cn) also have great boozy deals waiting for you.


9. Wine Bar



If spirits are not your thing, cozy up over a glass of wine or wine cocktails at Kru (199 Henshan Lu, Tel: 021-54565913) or, enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of XO bar (237 Henshan Lu, Tel: 021-64330779). We're sure that a romantic night out at one of these locations will really make it a date to remember.


10. Whisky Bar



I love a good whisky, and there are plenty of places to enjoy the good stuff. Spend an evening at Constellation (numerous locations) and sift through their menu of whiskies from around the world or give some of their specialty cocktails a try.


11. Beer Lovers



If you are a beer lover, this is your city. World of Beer on Fumin Lu has all your favourites on tap. But if enjoying a cold beer from the comfort of your own home is more your thing, check out Beer Lady (457 Fahuazhen Lu, Tel: 021-62837617) which boasts over 3,000 selections. Other notable names to check out are Beer Plus and the beer club at Hop Project


12. Go Karting



Talk about Fast and the Furious! Take breaks between laps but always put your own safety first. Disc Cart Indoor Karting (809 Zaoyang Lucombines go-karts and a bar all under one roof. While drinking and driving is definitely not recommended, it's by no means discouraged here, so grab a beer and watch a race or two before you commit!


13. Bowling



Whether it’s beer or the standard mixed drink, get a strike and take a swig! Grab a few friends for a friendly game and get the weekend going.


14. Roller Skating



If you want a bit of retro fun, check out the newly opened RIINK (Rm 6-103, building 1, 658 Dapu Lu) for boozy roller skating nights. It’s not the biggest roller rink you’ll ever see, but it’s big enough. They’ve got a small DJ booth in the middle, a stage for live performances on the side, and a fun, retro-future-neon-lights vibe.


15. Beer Pong



Yes, you read that right. There is a bar dedicated to beer pong called Duo (3FL, building 16, 193 North Maoming Lu). To play, you'll need to purchase drinks off a special game package deal.


16. Darts



Join the Shanghai Darts League for some awesome play-and-drink nights out, or explore the list of other places with darts here. 


17. Booze Cruise



Oh la la… Wanna take a trip down memory lane and pretend it’s spring break all over again? With countless events happening around Shanghai, parties on the Huangpu river will surely bring you back in time!


18. Be a Jock



World Cup games at odd hours are a sure thing you can’t miss it at sports bars like Camel (1 Yueyang Lu, Tel: 021-64379446) or Cages! (3FL, 428 Jiangning Lu, Tel: 021-52995273


19. High Society



Make a statement by giving your drinking a bit of class. Have drinks at the Yacht Club (19 Zhangyang Lu) when you go with your member friend. Or enjoy your day-drinking on the green with a chilled beer at the golf course


20. Clubbing




Do we need to explain more? Get real social by hitting up some of the city’s trendiest clubbing establishments like Le Baron (7FL 20 Donghu Lu, Tel: 021-54245181), Arkam (Found158) or the newly-opened SOS (2FL, 428 Jiangning Lu).


21. Live Music



You can drink like Don Draper at various jazz bars in Shanghai such as JZ (Found 158), Shake and Heyday (50 Taian Lu, Tel: 021-62366075). If your mood is swinging more towards rock, then we suggest you visit EZ5 (Bldg 2, 193 Maoming Bei Lu, Tel: 021-32200257). For the lowdown on all live music spots, click here


22. Like a Student



Who says drinking has to be corporate? Have you checked out the student bars yet? Zapata's (11 Dongping Lu, Tel: 021-64334104), and Windows (B1 698 Nanjingxi Lu) are all great pickings if you want to party like a king but with a budget of a penny.

                

23. Happy Hour



If you are going to drink in this sinful city, you’d better do it right. Thankfully, there are plenty of great happy hour deals to help you do just that. Check out Funkadeli (291Fumin Lu, Tel: 021-61701318), Rooster (455 Shanxi Bei Lu, Tel: 15221093094) and Colca (199 Henshan Lu, Tel: 021-54015366) for some amazing savings and great crowds.


24. Ladies Night



If you are a lady, you need to go out there and paint the town red. Honestly, why wouldn’t you with all those awesome ladies nights at Bar RougeThe Cut Rooftop (999 Huaihaizhong Lu, Tel:  021-6443 5136), M1nt (24th Floor, 318 Nanjing Dong Lu, Tel: 021-6391 2811), Boteco (Found158) and Le Bouchon (1455 Wuding Xi Lu 021-6225 7088).


25. Mocktails



We never said drinks had to be alcoholic. If you’re looking for some alcohol-free libations, check out Cobra Lily (1F, 181 Taicang Lu) and Colca for their virgin cocktails.


26. Curbside Drinking



Every true Shanghai expat has their one favorite street they know they can rely on whenever they want to go boozing. Since its much-awaited opening Found158 has successfully consolidated our food and drinking preferences into one entire area where you can easily spend your whole night mingling and partying. If you’re in the mood for something else, Wuding Lu (with its countless bars like SIPMalabarLABBarbarianTaoker) or Jing’an favorite Rooster are very solid alternatives. 


27. Pool Parties



Any Shanghai expat will tell you that the key to a great summer is the outdoor pool parties where drinks and good times are on the menu all day long.


Ready to party?



28. Live Performances



Burlesque and Cabaret shows have been slowly gaining traction in the live performance scene in Shanghai with shows at The Pearl (471 Zhapu Lu, Tel:1376 488 9962) and Candor (57 Maoming Nan Lu). Make your evening out even sexier with fancy cocktails and show-stopping performances.


29. Red Carpet Events



Shanghai is full of glitz and glamor. From chamber-organized gatherings to trendy social events, nothing shows class more than free-flow champagne and fancy dresses.


30. Music Festivals



With popular names like Storm and ULTRA blessing us with awesome vibes every year, electronic music festivals are gaining a lot of popularity which means there will be lots of music and drinks going around town. Get excited for the ETM Music Festival happening from July 14th to July 15th 


31. Picnic or BBQ



We all need a break from the concrete jungle, so why not go to a peaceful area with plenty of green? There are lots of parks around Shanghai, so take your pick, bring your pets out and share a nice bottle of wine or champagne with your friends! We highly recommend you add some cheese to make this a real picnic (you can order from Cheese Republic). For more ideas on where to organize your next picnic, we got you covered here.


32. Road Trip Warrior 




If local parks are not your thing or if you need a bit more than a few hours of R&R, contact one of the city’s many tour operators for a weekend getaway! You can always bring a case of beer or mixers with you while you’re on the road! OK Deal! even has bonfire parties to help you bond with other adventurers. 


33. Drink Like a Local



If local flavor is your thing, try out some of Shanghai’s famous crayfish, which goes particularly well with an ice-cold Tsingtao. November is the best time of the year to try out seasonal hairy crab which we recommend you pair with yellow wine for a memorable dining experience.


34. PRIDE Partier



Shanghai has been celebrating PRIDE for the past 10 years. Although the LGBTQ scene is not as vibrant as other cities, there is still a healthy underground scene. For a full list of LGBTQIA+ hot spots, click here.


35. Vinyl Shop



If vinyls are your thing, you can also enjoy them with craft beer at Daily Vinyl (WeChat: Daily Vinyl) and Uptown Records (115 Pingwu Lu underground, Tel: 021-62238368).


36. Day Drinking



Does anyone actually enjoy working in the office on beautiful sunny days in the summer? No? Didn't think so...Whether you're based in Jing’an or HuangpuXuhui, treat yourself with some remote work, kick back and relax (just make sure your excuse to be out of the office sounds legit. Who can resist working in the office during beautiful summer days? Whether you are in you can just kick back and relax (just be sure you have a clever excuse to be out of the office).


37. Karaoke



This is a rite of passage if you live in Shanghai; particularly so after a solid night out. Pick a tune, belt out the lyrics and let the good times roll! If you have stage fright - even with your own drunk friends as the audience - you can still hit up their in-house convenience store and pick your favorite song. 


38. Pop-Up Events



We love pop-up events, especially if they involve booze! Luckily for us (and you), Rose Revolution is set to take place at the Banyan Tree on July 14th! 


Grab your seat now by extracting the QR code below.



39. Guest Bartender



Hotels also get in on the nightlife scene by arranging guest bartenders from World’s Best and having them create signature cocktails. The Jing’an Shangri-La, as well as Portman Ritz-Carlton, are two of the most notable hotels offering this experience.


40. Dog-Friendly



The Cannery (1107 Yuyuan Lu, Tel: 021-52760599) does evening picnics on their lawn every night with a bottle of wine. They also have dog-friendly events, so bring your furry four-legged friend over and enjoy some quality time together.


41. Boozy Brunch



You can’t say you lived in Shanghai without taking advantage of the city’s many boozy brunch deals that cater to all budgets! Click here to find out more.


42. Hangover Drinking



Don’t dare call yourself a true Shanghai expat until you’ve had the occasional drink to get over a hangover. 


43. Bloody Mary Specials



How can you not like a sturdy Bloody Mary? Here are our favorite picks you can find around town.


44. Dinner Pairing



Shanghai dining can be a fancy affair. After all, there are many alcohol and food pairing events where your dishes come to life with the right pairing (either wine, sake or beer).


45. After Hours Club



You’re rolling out of the club at 3am and don’t feel like hitting the bed just yet, where do you go? Try DadaCelia or Mansion


46. Holiday Drinks!



We love the multicultural atmosphere of Shanghai, especially when we get to celebrate each culture’s national holidays! St. Patrick’s, CNY, Cinco de Mayo, you name it! Let’s celebrate and get schwasty. 


47. Al Fresco Style



It’s summertime!! What better way than to soak up some sun while sipping away on some of Shanghai's most gorgeous terraces? With places like KartelLa Bota, and Cotton's to choose from, you're going to have to venture out a lot to experience the beauty of them all.


48. All You Can Eat and Drink 



A big favorite for many in Shanghai are its hidden gems with all-you-can-eat buffets. You’ve got delicious Japanese restaurants that are tucked away in the lanes of Puxi but once the word spreads, they open the doors to a wild, wild night of limitless food AND sake, plum wine, beer, etc. 


49. Sip’n’paint!


Photo credit: ArtnSnips


Let those creative juices flow with wine! This trend is skyrocketing all over the world and we’re so excited it’s finally made it all the way to Shanghai. While sitting in front of a blank canvas can be nerve-wracking, a good glass of wine, friends, and paint can surely turn it into an uninhibited experience. 


50. Quiz Night



Rooster (455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, Tel: 156 1880 8692), Caxton (374 Dagu Lu, Tel: 5888 7258), Hop Project (372 Dagu Lu, Tel: 186 1671 4698), The Brew (The Kerry Hotel,1388 Huamu Lu, Tel: 6169 8888) all the places you can go for Quiz Nights! Afraid you might give the wrong answer? Just blame it on the booze.


Want to connect with other expats in the city? Extract the QR code to join our WOW! Lifestyle WeChat group.




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