The top 10 things to do this weekend

Image: courtesy Art+ Shanghai Gallery

Halloween may be over and you might not feel like leaving the house this weekend sans costume, or even at all. But there are still plenty of reasons to get out and take advantage of what Shanghai has to offer. Here are our top ten picks. 

It is worth nothing that due to the impending arrival of the Expo next week, some nightclubs across Shanghai may be closed. So whatever late-night event you have your heart set on, we recommend double-checking if there are any venue changes on the day. 

Candelaria pop-up at The Ritz Bar & Lounge

Photograph: Courtey Candelaria

One of The World's 50 Best Bars, Parisian-based, Mexican taqueria and agave-focused cocktail bar Candelaria temporarily touches down in Shanghai courtesy of Thirsty Works Productions. Until tomorrow (Saturday 3), Candelaria bartenders Alejandro Alayon and Océane Godfroid will be shaking things up with a set menu of six tequila and mezcal-centric cocktails at The Ritz Bar & Lounge, along with taco trucks and live music in the afternoon at the main square of the Shanghai Centre. Plus, tonight (November 2), it's all about the Day of the Dead, with a party from 9pm till late featuring DJs, makeup artists and of course, lots and lots of tequila.

📍 The Ritz Bar & Lounge, Lobby level, Portman Ritz-Carlton, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu. Until Sat 3. 7pm-midnight. Free.

Moka Bros First Anniversary Piercing Party

Photograph: courtesy Moka Bros

Nothing says party like piercings, now does it? Celebrate Moka Bros' first anniversary all weekend with free piercings (above the shoulders only, people) from artists SAB and Neko. There will also be an all-day happy hour – so you can get all the liquid courage you need – and a live DJ set.

📍 Moka Bros, K.Wah Centre, 108 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu. Sat 3-Sun 4. Midday-6pm. Free. 

Honey Soundsystem

Photograph: @honeysoundsystem via Instagram

US DJ trio Honey Soundsystem descend upon DADA, bringing one of San Francisco's biggest LGBTQ parties to Shanghai. Michael Cignarale of Medusa fame and Tobias Patrick provide support.

📍 DADA, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Fri 2. 10pm-late. 100RMB.

Bondi Harvest pop-up at Henkes

Photograph: courtesy Restaurant Australia

Chef Guy Turland and filmmaker Mark Alston together make up the duo that is Bondi Harvest – an award-winning blog and YouTube cooking show with a philosophy of 'simple, fresh, local.' They're popping up at restaurant Henkes Friday and Saturday night with a five-course chef's tasting menu (380RMB) including a glazed beetroot tarte tatin, Australian oysters with sparking mignonette granita, 120-day-aged salt crusted double rib eye, salt baked baby barramundi and a lamington semifreddo to finish it off.

📍 Henkes, 1E, First Floor, Reel Shanghai Department Store, 1601 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu. Fri 2-Sat 3. 6-10pm. 380RMB.

Blossoms

Image: courtesy 247tickets.com

Coming straight outta Stockport, this British indie-rock group have supported the likes of The Stone Roses, The Last Shadow Puppets and The Kooks since forming five years ago. They're in town to plug new record Cool Like You, which came out on EMI in the spring.

📍 Bandai Namco Shanghai Base Future House, 179 Yichang Lu, near Jiangning Lu. Sat 3. 9-11pm. 280RMB; 220RMB (presale). Extract the QR code to book. 

Altered State: Deciphering Urban in the Art of Chen Xuanrong and Huang Yulong

Image: courtesy Art+ Shanghai Gallery

Art+ Shanghai Gallery presents a duo exhibit of two artists influenced by hip hop and street culture, Chen Xuanrong and Huang Yulong. Their works make statements about their identities and surroundings, not attempting to establish guidelines for urbanity in China, but rather expressing a fascination with it.

📍 Art+ Shanghai Gallery, 191 Suzhou Nan Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu. Until Sun 30 Dec (closed on Monday). 10am-7pm. Free. 

The Flex featuring A$AP Ant

Image: courtesy organiser

A$AP Ant is the latest member of A$AP Mob to hit town, turning up at The Shanghai Edition after Arkham ran into some problems thanks to the upcoming Import Expo. Original support at Arkham was due to be Andreyun and ESA, while ADO8 and DJ Toy were due to be holding down The Flex at Electric Circus. The two events are now being spliced together.

📍 Electric Circus, Seventh Floor, The Shanghai EDITION, 199 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Henan Lu. Fri 2. 10pm-3am. RSVP required (follow WeChat ID 'electriccircus' and hit 'The Flex' to sign up).

DKNSTRKT Drag Movement Workshop

Photographs: (L-R) Denis Sdobnov (Fantasia Valentina); Eugene Hsu courtesy The Pearl (Cocosanti); S-Ma (Dorian T Fisk)

In this free introductory workshop taught by Shanghai drag artists, Miss Uni Vers and Cocosanti everyone will learn how to pose and turn in heels, how to walk like you own the runway, how to sashay away in style and simple choreography. 

📍 The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, near Haining Lu. Sun 4. 3-4.30pm. Free. 

abC Art Book Fair

Photograph: Jake Newby

A book fair featuring indie book and zine publishers from all over China and beyond, as well as record labels such as Qiii Snacks and Eating Music.

📍 Modern Art Museum Shanghai (Yicang), 4700 Binjiang Dadao, near Pudian Lu, Pudong. Fri 2-Sun 4. Midday-6pm. Free. 

XIME One-Year Anniversary Celebration

Photograph: courtesy XIME

XIME Japanese Restaurant celebrates its one-year anniversary with a bang, with music from PCJ, Sacco, Man Alive, TAXI, MMQ, YUKI and XIME's very own head chef and DJ JUN DFJ. A free keg will kick off the party at 4pm.

📍 Xime Japanese Restaurant, First Floor, 1-B, 989 Changle Lu, near Changshu Lu. Sat 3. 4pm-midnight. Free.  

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