Bar
Speak Low
Shingo Gokan's three-floor speakeasy, opened in 2014 behind a fake bookcase in a bar-equipment shop on Middle Fuxing Road.
Long Bar at the Waldorf Astoria
The bar of the former Shanghai Club at No. 2 on the Bund, named after the club's L-shaped mahogany Long Bar, once said to be the world's longest.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic hotel bar
- Area
- The Bund, Shanghai, China
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- hilton.com
Good to know
- Heritage setting
- Fine spirits
- Oyster omakase
Why we recommend it
The Long Bar is the bar of the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, inside the former Shanghai Club at No. 2 on the Bund. The club, founded in 1861, was the main gathering place for the city's British businessmen, and its clubhouse of 1911 was famous for its Long Bar, an L-shaped counter of unpolished mahogany about 34 metres long that was once said to be the longest bar in the world.
The building's later history makes a visit all the more striking. After the club closed in 1941 the building was occupied by Japanese forces, then became the International Seamen's Club after 1949, the Dongfeng Hotel in 1971 and, from 1990 to 1996, the home of Shanghai's first KFC. It stood empty until Hilton leased it in 2009 and restored it as part of the Waldorf Astoria, and the Long Bar returned as the hotel's bar.
Today the Long Bar focuses on fine spirits, served in the heritage setting. It also hosts Pink Oyster, a ten-course oyster omakase. Elsewhere in the hotel, Peacock Alley serves afternoon tea and cocktails, and Salon de Ville is known for red velvet cake and champagne.
The bar suits couples, history lovers and anyone who wants a drink in one of the Bund's grandest interiors without booking a room. Prices are at the top end, in keeping with a luxury hotel on the Bund.
The club itself began in 1861 as the Correspondents' Club, and a three-storey red-brick clubhouse on this site hosted the former US president Ulysses S. Grant in 1879. The present six-storey reinforced-concrete building was designed by H. Tarrant and completed by A. G. Bray after his death. If you want to make an evening of it, the hotel's restaurants include Ling Long, a modern Chinese restaurant with a star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Shanghai, the Grand Brasserie and the Chinese restaurant Wai King Kok.
The hotel faces the Huangpu on the Bund, so a drink here pairs well with an evening walk along the promenade to see the Pudong skyline lit up. East Nanjing Road station on Lines 2 and 10 is the nearest metro. Contact the hotel on its main number for reservations and the latest opening times.
Long Bar at the Waldorf Astoria FAQs
Why is it called the Long Bar?
It is named after the Shanghai Club's L-shaped mahogany bar, about 34 metres long and once said to be the world's longest.
Where is it?
Inside the Waldorf Astoria at No. 2 on the Bund, the former Shanghai Club.
When was the Shanghai Club building opened?
In January 1911.
What does the bar serve?
Fine spirits and cocktails, plus a ten-course oyster omakase called Pink Oyster.
Is there afternoon tea in the hotel?
Yes, in Peacock Alley, which also serves cocktails.
Is it expensive?
Yes, prices are at the top end.
What was the building used for after 1949?
It became the International Seamen's Club, then the Dongfeng Hotel, and later housed Shanghai's first KFC.
How do you contact the bar?
Call the hotel on +86 21 6322 9988.