The first real venue to bring the prohibition-era cocktail bar trend to Shanghai, Senator Saloon houses a beautiful dark wood interior under an eye-catching tin roof (brought in especially from Texas) creating a sleepy, late-night hideaway atmosphere.
For drinks barman David Schroeder has created a menu of Prohibition Era mixes of standouts like the robust, complex and brilliant Martinez (72RMB), a kind of happy truce between a negroni and a Manhattan, and a lighter basil gimlet (68RMB) with a satisfyingly herby burst. There's also a strong range of unique bourbons and barrel aged gins and some good bar snacks, such as the unmissable pulled pork sliders.
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Every night at 7.30pm, the Jazz Bar at the Peace Hotel plays host to Shanghai’s oldest jazz band – their average age is 77, and some members first played together in 1947. In this faithfully-recreated bar at the iconic Peace Hotel, watching these old boys go (slowly) through jazz standards is a classic experience. Be sure to book ahead for a table. Beers from 45RMB, cocktails from 70RMB (plus 15 per cent service charge).
Open Midday-2am daily
Call 6321 6888
Metro Nanjing Dong Lu
Address First Floor, Fairmont Peace Hotel, 20 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Huangpu district
Show the cabbie 黄浦区南京东路20号, 近中山东一路
See Peace Hotel address details and review
Mokkos, hidden down a quiet alley on a quiet street, is a hidden gem where the friendly barmen will only serve you shochu and plum wine (or beers if you ask nicely). The music is quirky reggae, and the barmen and patrons regularly pull out instruments and burst into song. Plum wine and shochu from 35RMB.
Open 7pm-2am daily
Call 6212 1114
Metro Jiangsu Lu
Address 103, Lane 1245 Wuding Xi Lu, near Wanhangdu Lu, Changning district
Show the cabbie 长宁区武定西路1245号103室, 近万航渡路
See Mokkos full address details
The Long Bar at the Waldorf Astoria was the longest in the Far East in the days that this building hosted the exclusive Shanghai Club (from 1911 until 1949). Having been recreated in all its wood-panelled Art Deco glory, it is now one of the most elegant hotels in the city, playing classic jazz and serving exquisite classic cocktails, oysters and classy bar snacks. Cocktails from 88RMB (plus 15 per cent service charge).
Open Mon-Fri 4pm-1am, Sat-Sun 2pm-1am
Call 6322 9988
Metro Nanjing Dong Lu
Address First Floor, Waldorf Astoria, 88 Sichuan Zhong Lu, near Guangdong Lu, Huangpu district
Show the cabbie 黄浦区四川中路88号, 近广东路
See The Long Bar full review and address details
Since the closure of Fumin Lu staple No. 88, Phebe 3D Club (aren't all clubs in 3D?) is our favourite choice for the classic Chinese clubbing experience, and makes for a baffling, but entertaining evening. The main room is filled with tables of people rattling dice and being served drinks with sparklers in, ensuring that there is no real dancefloor. Gaudy faux baroque furniture abounds underneath bombastic chandeliers while a pounding chart R&B and hip pop soundtrack booms out over the masses. It’s such a ridiculously over-the-top and thoroughly bizarre place that by the time you come across a giant ten foot tall model of a knight on a horse in one corner, you’re no longer all that surprised.
Cocktails start from 55RMB but beware that if you sit at a table, it will have a minimum spend limit. There are also wristband patrolled 100RMB all-you-can-drink deals at weekends, but these are served at a bar in the lobby, away from the money-spending crowds.
Open 8pm-6am daily
Call137 9536 8335
Metro Hengshan Lu
Address First Floor, 10 Hengshan Lu, near Gaoan Lu, Xuhui district
Show the cabbie 徐汇区衡山路10号, 近高安路
See Phebe 3D full address details
Bar Rouge is almost indecently successful, and always packed with a crowd of party posers, from slick European chino-and-loafer types to the local Chinese jet-set. Even if you don’t love the music or the vibe, it makes for great people-watching – and both have great views, with Bar Rouge’s terrace offering the quintessential Bund view. Cocktails at both start at 80RMB.
Open 6pm-late daily
Call 6339 1199
Metro Nanjing Dong Lu
Address Seventh Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu, Huangpu district
Show the cabbie 黄浦区中山东一路18号7楼, 近南京东路
