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Best Nightlife in Shanghai (2026)

Shanghai has one of Asia's leading cocktail scenes, concentrated in the former French Concession and the streets around Fuxing Park. Speak Low, opened by Shingo Gokan in 2014, hides three floors of bars behind a bookcase in a bar-equipment shop, and his team also runs Sober Company in the INS complex on Yandang Road. Pony Up on Jinxian Road entered Asia's 50 Best Bars at No. 19 in 2026, with a daytime front bar and a playful evening menu, and Barules on Tongren Road builds custom cocktails around the flavours you choose.

For something more historic, the Bund's grand hotels have their own bars. The Jazz Bar at the Fairmont Peace Hotel hosts the veteran Old Jazz Band every night, and the Long Bar at the Waldorf Astoria takes its name from the Shanghai Club's famous mahogany counter. Many cocktail bars open from early evening until 1am or 2am, and the most popular ones fill quickly, so book ahead or arrive early, especially at weekends. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the simplest way to move between bars late at night.

6 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 nightlife in Shanghai

  1. Speak Low Speakeasy cocktail bar, Former French Concession, HuangpuShingo Gokan's three-floor speakeasy, opened in 2014 behind a fake bookcase in a bar-equipment shop on Middle Fuxing Road.
  2. Pony Up Cocktail bar, Former French Concession, HuangpuA neighbourhood cocktail bar on Jinxian Road, ranked No. 19 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, with a daytime front bar and a playful evening menu.
  3. The Jazz Bar at the Fairmont Peace Hotel Live jazz bar, The BundThe Peace Hotel's ground-floor bar on the Bund, where the veteran Old Jazz Band plays classic tunes every night in the former Cathay Hotel.

Bar

1. Speak Low

Speakeasy cocktail bar$$$Former French Concession, Huangpu

Shingo Gokan's three-floor speakeasy, opened in 2014 behind a fake bookcase in a bar-equipment shop on Middle Fuxing Road.

View details — Speak Low

Bar

2. Pony Up

Cocktail bar$$$Former French Concession, Huangpu

A neighbourhood cocktail bar on Jinxian Road, ranked No. 19 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, with a daytime front bar and a playful evening menu.

View details — Pony Up

Bar

4. Sober Company

Cocktail bar and izakaya$$$Fuxing Park, Huangpu

Shingo Gokan's multi-concept bar by Fuxing Park, with low-alcohol drinks and sushi downstairs and the lively Tipsy cocktail bar upstairs.

View details — Sober Company

Bar

6. Barules

Cocktail bar$$$Jing'an

Sam Kuan's cocktail bar on Tongren Road, reborn after the original 2014 speakeasy closed, known for made-to-order drinks and Dick Bradsell classics.

View details — Barules