The best places to get a quality pint in Shanghai

You may be able to grab a beer just about anywhere in this city – whether it's a bottle of Tsingtao from Family Mart or a Tiger draft from your local – but where to go for an solid range of bottled craft beers and local brews on tap? From awesome local breweries to international beer giants, here are some of the city's top places for a pint (or three).

Boxing Cat Brewery

A household name in this city from the Kelly Lee collective – and a brand largely responsible for spearheading Shanghai’s craft beer scene – you can never go wrong with Boxing Cat’s awesome array of brews and ales. This year has even seen the brewery get acquired by beer empire Anheuser-Busch InBev, which should lead to BCB’s international presence in the near future. You can get these brews in restaurants and pubs all over the city, but find the widest variety at its own bar/restaurants.

Boxing Cat Brewery 26A Sinan Mansions, 519 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Sinan Lu (6426 0360; boxingcatbrewery.com) and other locations around Shanghai.

Zapfler

Brewery and former Yongkang Lu resident Zapfler – now located in lively Found 158 – offers a solid line-up of their own German craft beers, from IPAs, wheat beers and pilsners to fruit blends, ciders and smokey brews. While you’re there, try the home-distilled liquors, too.

Zapfler Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, near Ruijin Yi Lu (5386 2337).

Beer Lady

A Shanghai-famous personality, Beer Lady now has two bottle shop/craft beer bars with thousands of different local and international beers on offer. Best of all, her Kaixuan Lu location (the newer of the two) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Beer Lady 1010 Kaixuan Lu, near Yan'an Xi Lu (6218 6891) and Unit 14, 455 Fahuazhen Lu, near Dingxi Lu (6283 7617).

Uptown Records ’n’ Beer

This chilled hangout and off-shoot of Pingwu Lu basement vinyl den Uptown features fridges full of craft beers from China and abroad. Uptown’s selection of international brews is strong, but it’s also a good place to back the home team, with China brews from Master Gao and Shanghai’s own Westwood Ales (from 24RMB). It’s also very dog friendly.

Uptown Records ’n’ Beer 131 Yongfu Lu, Near Fuxing Xi Lu (135 2462 8450).

Liquid Laundry

Another Shanghai staple in the dining and drinking world, Liquid Laundry has a rotating range of house craft beers on tap, plus more from other local, national and international breweries. Plus, the atmosphere is chill and the food is great.

Liquid Laundry Second Floor, K Wah Centre, 1028 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Donghu Lu (6445 9589; theliquidlaundry.com).

The BREW

Not your average hotel bar, The BREW may reside within The Kerry Hotel beside Century Park but has built a strong reputation in its own right thanks to the excellent craft beers brewed on site. Pils lager, Razorback Cider, Skinny Green lager and White Ant wheat ale are some BREW classics; some recent offerings from current brewmaster Christopher Bump include Dunkel Donuts Dark Wheat Ale, Oolong Lager and Spruce Moose Spiced Ale.

The BREW First Floor, Kerry Hotel Pudong, 1388 Huamu Lu, near Fangdian Lu (6169 8888).

The Hop Project

Originally launched by Beijing microbrewery Jing A as a collaborative pop-up with toastie makers Co Cheese, Hop Project on Dagu Lu offers a great intimate space with friendly staff serving up some quality ales. Pair them with a gooey grilled cheese and you’re in for a win.

The Hop Project 372 Dagu Lu, near Chengdu Bei Lu (6431 2653).

District

Chilled and informal, this split-level bar helmed by founder Clara Davis is located in a pleasantly peaceful corner of Jingan and offers a wide selection of beers on tap and in bottles, with Duvel Moortgat Brewery also a partner in the bar. A great spot for bar snacks and a few brews amongst a friendly team.

District 284 Yuyuan Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu (152 2105 7136).

Goose Island Brewhouse

The corporate beer world influx has begun in Shanghai, and brewing conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev has been pushing its own ‘homegrown’ brand Goose Island hard across the city’s bars, with its flagship brewhouse location on Maoming Bei Lu. Head in for the common Goose Island varieties, vintage and speciality brews, sour ales and more.

Goose Island Brewhouse B2, 209 North Maoming Lu, near Weihai Lu (6219 0268).

Kaiba

Another recent acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Belgian-influenced brewery has a reliable selection of beers on tap and in bottles, plus regular tap takeovers from China-based and overseas breweries. With the rapid expansion of Shanghai’s craft beer market, it isn’t quite the stand-out option it once was, but offers great pours nonetheless.

Kaiba Tap House Room 202, Taikang Terrace, 169 Jianguo Zhong Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu (6418 2252) and other locations around Shanghai.

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