Shanghai Nightlife Guide 2025: Best Bars, Clubs, Rooftops & Night Tours

Ready to experience Shanghai after dark? This is your definitive guide. We give you the direct answers you're searching for—the top bars, clubs, rooftop lounges, river cruises, and street food spots for an unforgettable night out in the city.

Shanghai Nightlife: Why is it world-renowned?

Shanghai Nightlife - Night View Overview

Shanghai's definitive night view unfolds across the Huangpu River, where the historic Bund's grand architecture faces off against Lujiazui's futuristic skyscrapers. For the full experience, view the Pudong skyline from the Bund promenade, then cross to a Lujiazui rooftop bar to look back at the illuminated Puxi shoreline. Beyond the river, the French Concession offers tree-lit charm, Nanjing Road dazzles with neon, and a night cruise connects it all from the water.

Shanghai Nightlife - Mix of modern and traditional night culture

Shanghai's night offers two distinct experiences: the glittering, modern energy of rooftop bars and nightlife, or the grounded, traditional charm of night markets and old teahouses. This seamless blend of new and old defines an unforgettable evening in the city.

Shanghai Nightlife - What visitors should expect?

• Safety
• • Shanghai at night feels remarkably safe—even well into the early hours. You’ll see people walking alone, taking in the air along the river or waiting for a ride home. Normal city smarts apply, of course, but there’s a comforting sense of order amid the neon.
• Transportation
• • The metro wraps up earlier than you might expect—around 11 PM—but that’s when the city’s cabs and ride-hailing apps step in. Didi (China’s Uber) is reliable and easy to use; just have your destination in Chinese characters ready. Night buses also weave through the core districts, offering a slower, quieter way to see the lights go by.
• Opening Hours
• • Bars and clubs in areas like Found 158 or the Bund often go until 2 AM or later, with some after-hours spots keeping the music alive till dawn. But “late night” in Shanghai isn’t only about partying—it’s also about 3 AM soup dumplings, 24-hour convenience stores glowing like beacons, and old-school teahouses that never really seem to close. The city doesn’t sleep—it just shifts moods.

Shanghai Nightlife: Best Areas for Nightlife

The Bund : Luxury Lounges & Iconic Views

Upscale rooftop bars,symbolize the essence of Shanghai's nightlife.

It boasts a unique nightlife culture that complements its historical architecture, creating a constantly changing and vibrant scene.

Lujiazui: Futuristic Rooftops & Skyline Bars

The bar inside the skyscraper offers stunning panoramic views of the dazzling city.

For first-time visitors to Shanghai, this is the perfect place to experience the city's modern vibe and pulse.

French Concession (Xuhui/Jing’an): Trendy Bars & Indie Cafés

The streets are lined with hidden cocktail bars and independent cafes, making it a great place to explore these venues.

It boasts a relaxed and intimate nightlife atmosphere, often featuring live music performances.

People’s Square & Nanjing East Road

The bustling night market offers an authentic local street experience.

It's a vibrant hub for shopping and light shows, radiating a powerful urban energy.

Shanghai Nightlife: Best Bars in Shanghai

Shanghai Nightlife Bars Guide

💡Pro Tips

• Rooftop Bars：M Glam: Reservations must be made at least 3-5 days in advance via the official WeChat account. Please specify "outdoor terrace seating" and confirm the reservation hold period.
• Craft Cocktail Bars：No reservations accepted; you will need to queue on-site. We recommend arriving before 8 PM, Sunday through Thursday.
• Wine Bars & Chill Lounges：Basement seating is most reliably booked via Instagram private message, which also allows you to inquire about the daily cocktail menu.

Shanghai Nightlife: Nightclubs and late-night dance halls

🎹International-Style Clubs

• Music and Atmosphere：Featuring powerful EDM, house, and big room electronic music, combined with world-class DJ performances and dazzling light shows, it creates an unparalleled high-energy party atmosphere.
• Good to Know: Dress to impress—sneakers are fine, but flip-flops might not fly. Popular spots often have cover charges, especially for men or when a big-name DJ is spinning.

🎸Hip-Hop & Urban Clubs

• Music and Atmosphere：From classic old-school to the hottest hip-hop and R&B styles, it creates a relaxed, casual, and rhythmic dance floor.
• Good to Know: Table and bottle service culture is huge here. It's the perfect choice if you're rolling with a group and want to secure your own space to vibe.

🎶Live Music Venues

• Music and Atmosphere：Whether it's jazz, rock, or the original sounds of indie bands, you can find it here.
• Good to Know: Check their weekly schedule in advance. Arrive early for a good spot, order a well-made drink, and lose yourself in the performance.

Shanghai Nightlife: Beyond Bars and Nightclubs

Shanghai Nightlife - Huangpu River Night Cruise

• Bund–Pudong skyline: From the best vantage point on the water, you can admire the skyline formed by the landmark buildings on both banks, offering a fantastic opportunity to capture classic nighttime photos.
• Cruise options: Options vary depending on your budget and experience: budget-friendly public transport ferries, sightseeing luxury cruises, or dinner cruises featuring fine dining and live music.

Shanghai Nightlife - Night Markets

• Yuyuan Tourist Mart: You can experience the night market and taste local specialties such as xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and spiced beans under the antique-style buildings and red lanterns.
• Snack streets: Explore local snack streets such as Wujiang Road or Linfen Road, experience the vibrant late-night food culture, and savor a variety of delicacies.
  

Shanghai Nightlife - Nighttime Walking Tours

• Old Town：Stroll through Yu Garden and across the Nine-Turn Bridge, and experience a tranquility unlike that of the daytime.
• French Concession：Strolling through the streets shaded by plane trees at night, you can discover unique shops and low-key bars.
• Historic alleys：Walking into the ancient alleys, reminiscent of Tianzifang, after nightfall offers a unique charm, illuminated by lights and tourists.

Shanghai Nightlife - Cultural Night Shows

• Acrobatic shows：Head to Shanghai Circus World or related theaters to experience a variety of world-class performances that combine acrobatics, dance, and high technology.
• Traditional performance theaters ：njoy traditional Chinese operas, including Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera, at renowned theaters such as the Tianchan Yifu Stage, and experience the charm of classical Eastern art.

Shanghai Nightlife: Safety Tips and Etiquette

• Safety
• • Shanghai is a safe city, but basic vigilance is still necessary at night. Keep an eye on your drinks and personal belongings, especially in crowded night markets or bars.
• Transportation
• • The subway usually runs until around 11 PM (some lines may run later), so please check the last train times in advance. For nighttime travel, taxis and ride-hailing services like Didi are reliable options, offering transparent pricing and avoiding communication barriers.
• Dress Codes
• • Most restaurants and ordinary bars have no specific dress code. However, some upscale hotel bars or clubs may have dress codes, prohibiting slippers, shorts, etc.
• Payment & Tipping
• • Mobile payments are the absolute mainstream; please ensure you have WeChat Pay or Alipay set up. Some venues still accept cash, but credit cards are not universally accepted. Tipping is not a custom in China, so don't worry about it.
• Drinking Age & Rules
• • The legal drinking age is 18. You may need to show identification when purchasing alcoholic beverages. Be aware that drinking in public places is prohibited in some areas (such as certain parks or streets). Please respect local laws and drink alcohol only in designated areas.

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