15 Must-visit Bars in Shanghai
Who doesn't want one or more drinks after work?
Hundreds of bars in Shanghai contribute to its bustling nightlife. Among them, which one is your pick?
Here are 15 highly-recommended bars in Shanghai. Every one is worth a visit.
The simpler a cocktail appears, the more skilled the bartender must be to make it, like the Martini. SUZU BAR, a Japanese bar, offers more than 30 different Martinis.
SUZU BAR is hidden away in an unremarkable building.
The owner is Shunya Suzuki, a Japanese bartender, who was once a student of Yutaka Mori, the "Martini King" in Japan.
It is fascinating to watch Suzuki create cocktails.
His signature drink is the SUZU Martini No. 3.
Suzuki's another creation, the Blue Martini, is also a signature. He adds unusual ingredients like cinnamon, orange root and gardenia during fermentation, resulting in a more complex flavor that is accentuated by the aroma of lavender.
The owner of SUZU BAR and KAISHA is the same. Over the next two months, the selection of Martinis in SUZU BAR will be expanded to 40!
Address: A5, Floor 1, MORE Huashan, No. 301, Huashan Road, Jing'an District
Telephone: 021-31029289
If you're looking for a quiet spot to have a drink after work, I will recommend you Oji cocktail&whisky.
This is a very secretive bar.
The owner is Naoji Oji, a bartender who has won numerous awards in Japan and has been in the industry for 22 years since he was 18.
Drinking at Oji cocktail&whisky makes you feel like you were in a bar in Ginza, Japan.
The Spicy Vodka Tonic is made with vodka as the base spirit, mixed with Japanese Mizuho shochu, apple cider vinegar, and red chili pepper.
Yoshihuru Kogure is a whisky lover's favorite.
This bar is very friendly to those who are new to whisky. There is a piano that can automatically play music. Spend a happy and wonderful evening together with music!
Address: Room 204, Floor 2, Building C, Zhangyuan Feng Sheng Li, No. 245-1, North Maoming Road, Jing'an District
Telephone: 131 6277 3450
EPIC is located in a small Western-style villa on Gaoyou Road.
EPIC, a Chinese team, was nominated for the Asia's 50 Best and World's 50 Best Bars awards. The owner, Cross Yu, won the championship of the World Class competition, which is known as the "Oscars of the bartending world."
The first floor features a "Dining Room" theme and mainly serves specialty drinks made with whiskey as the base.
The first drink on the menu is "BARBARIC GROWTH," the championship-winning drink from bartender Droveen at the 2022 Mezcal Masters competition.
The second floor features a "Living Room" theme and a special "12 Shanghai Landmarks" cocktail menu.
Among them, the new menu selects 12 iconic landmarks in Shanghai to create a unique "Shanghai local taste."
Red House is a classical and famous western restaurant in Shanghai. The "Red House" cocktail was inspired by its signature dish "Borscht". This cocktail infuses the flavor and aroma of Borscht through oil washing.
Then, you can go to the "Reading Room" on the third floor for a whiskey drink. After the upgrade, the third floor now features a whiskey wall with various whiskeys.
Address: No. 17, Gaoyou Road, Xuhui District
Telephone: 021-54111189
COA was one of the hottest bars in Shanghai last year.
COA's Hong Kong flagship store received several world-class awards in less than four years. Now in the Shanghai store, veteran bartender Robin from the Hong Kong store is in charge.
The menu is designed by owner Jay Khan and is divided into several parts, including classic, innovative, and original cocktails. The biggest highlight is the innovative and original cocktail menu, which now offers eight special cocktails to choose from.
The "THREE SALT MARGARITA" has a slightly salty taste.
When each drink is served, the waiter will provide a detailed introduction of the ingredients, style, and some stories about COA.
COA has three levels of space: the La Cantina bar area on the first floor, the El Salón area with sofas on the second floor, and the invitation-only liquor tasting room, "El Ático", on the third floor.
Address: No. 313, Jiaozhou Road, Jing'an District
ATELIER has multiple branches located on Julu Road.
The first floor is a bar with delicious food. However, the second floor bar receives more popularity.
The owner is Daniel An, who has won numerous awards in the field. The bar menu is entirely crafted by him. What surprises visitors is that located in the city center, the average price of a drink is still less than RMB 100.
The Hokkaido Martini, with Japanese sake as its base, breaks the traditional image of strong liquor.
The Cartel's Paloma adds Mexican tequila, grapefruit, basil, and chili.
The smell of One Night in Lbiza is special but impressive.
There are many interesting drinks like these at ATELIER Cocktail Eatery.
Address: No. 291, Fumin Road (opposite to No. 710, Changle Road), Xuhui District
Telephone: 181 1615 7747
With confidential address, mysterious location, no drink menu, and a few walk-in seats available every night, J.Boroski makes many people both love and hate it.
All insect decorations are the personal collections of the bar owner Joseph Boroski.
It is said that these specimens are hard to find elsewhere in the world.
There is no drink menu here, and the bartenders will make a drink based on your preferences.
The Bespoke cocktail is made by soaking Yunnan roses in London Dry Gin.
The smoked Bespoke cocktail is made by soaking Lingnan fragrant beans in Bourbon Whiskey.
Finally, here's a hint. The bar's address is a black door without any logo on Fumin Road.
Address: Fumin Road, Xuhui District (I believe you will find it.)
Telephone: 021-54565266 (If you really can't find it, just call them.)
Image Credit: RED@DesertedMoon
This is a hidden gem in the bars of Shanghai.
Image Credit: RED@宇宙超闲人
There is a semi-outdoor area.
Image Credit: RED@DesertedMoon
The overall style of the store is old-fashioned, with a black vinyl record on the wall.
Image Credit: RED@宇宙超闲人
The drink menu is only a few pages, but it is very friendly in indicating how strong the drinks are.
Image Credit: RED@DesertedMoon
The special cocktail, Negroni, is highly recommended.
Address: No. 145, Nanchang Road, Huangpu District
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éx stock is a bar hidden behind a vending machine.
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The drink menu is very simple, focusing on classic, non-alcoholic, and special cocktails. The overall alcohol percentage of the drinks is relatively low.
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Special cocktails are highly recommended, which have very unique flavors. You can also try the Rainbow G&T. Under the table lamp, different tonic water presents a different color.
Address: No. 348, Nanchang Road, Huangpu District
ROOTS is a new bar on Jinxian Road. It is a popular destination for many young people.
As spring arrives, ROOTS has changed its menu.
The names of the drinks on the new menu arouse customers' interest to have a try.
Their signature drink "ROOTS" is highly recommended.
What remains unchanged are the gorgeous glasses and the consistently refreshing taste. During the day, ROOTS sells coffee which is worth a try.
Address: No. 196, Jinxian Road, Huangpu District
Telephone: 132 6286 8725
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From the moment you walk in Senator Saloon, you will feel as if you have stepped into a street tavern in an old American movie.
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Senator Saloon is a well-known establishment on Wuyuan Road. Without a sign, it has maintained high popularity for more than ten years.
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Whisky is the signature drink, and the cocktails are also worth a try, including Bee's Knees and Whiskey Sour.
Address: No. 98, Wuyuan Road (near Middle Wulumuqi Road), Xuhui District
Telephone: 021-54231330
BAR NO.3 is located at the corner of Wukang Building.
The atmosphere of the bar is relaxing and cosey.
BAR NO.3 sometimes plays outside the box. They extract their own unique cocktail and bitters, and sometimes add uncommon ingredients, such as coffee beans and galangal powder.
Image Credit:RED@willxie
As a member of OHA, the original team of BAR NO.3 has also opened a new bar called Dead Poet on Jinxian Road, and an Italian-style bar called PASS RESIDENCE on Julu Road.
BAR NO.3
Address: No. 277, Xingguo Road, Xuhui District
Telephone: 021-64182877
Dead Poet
Address: No. 158, Jinxian Road, Huangpu District
PASS RESIDENCE
Address: No. 318, Julu Road, Huangpu District
Image Credit: RED@怪物电力公司
People who come here to drink are easy to start a conversation.
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Their cocktail menu is worth paying attention to. The owner has created a thick original cocktail menu, which includes all kinds of exotic ingredients and drinks.
Image Credit: RED@怪物电力公司
You can often hear the owner and staff discussing which cocktail needs to be improved, and how to modify the next menu.
Address: Room 102-103, Jishe East Building, No. 462, Changle Road (near South Shaanxi Road), Huangpu District
Located at No. 579, Middle Fuxing Road, a seemingly deserted small shop houses a well-known bar in Shanghai, Speak Low. Going up to the second floor of the shop, a new world is waiting for you.
The owner of this well-known bar in Shanghai is Shingo Gokan, a world-renowned mixologist.
Although Speak Low is an "old" bar, it is still worth visiting. From the American-style second floor to the Japanese-style secret room on the third floor, you can experience the unique themes and drink menus.
Before entering the third floor, you have to play a little puzzle game: press a button on the map, and the door will open.
Address: No. 579, Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu District
Speaking of bars that are just as popular as Speak Low, there's UTC! Managed by the famous champion mixologist Lu Yao, the bar offers over 100 cocktails, most of which are his own creations.
Photo provided by Ryuichi
Last year, UTC moved from its long-standing location on Fenyang Road to the peaceful Hengshan Road.
Photo provided by Ryuichi
There are two floors of space inside, still in the style of a vintage American neighborhood bar.
The award-winning cocktail "South CN Ice Tea" from the 2016 Chivas Masters is almost a must-try, while another popular one is the completely different "560 State Street".
Address: No. 306, Hengshan Road, Xuhui District
Golden Express is a bar with a vintage train theme design.
The spatial design here restores the details of the Orient Express. The dim light casts a vintage filter on the entire carriage.
Names of drinks are related to famous train names in the world. Both the decoration and the names of drinks allow you to immerse yourself in the charm of different regions and countries.
It might be the bar with the most hidden gems in Shanghai.
Address: No. 76, South Shaanxi Road (second floor carriage), Jing'an District
Telephone: 188 1798 8058, 136 0178 8027
Words in the End
If you have your recommended bar in Shanghai, please share it with us in the comments!
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