9 Best Nightlife in Former French Concession, Shanghai

Shake

French Concession Fodor's choice
Funk and soul supper club Shake hits exactly the right notes for a great night out. A curated lineup of guest artists alongside the club’s regular rotating resident singer and band put on quite the live show, belting out Motown classics and hits from the '60s and '70s. The cocktails are tasty, and the kitchen turns out excellent Asian-inspired contemporary dishes.

Cotton's

French Concession

This friendly, laid-back favorite moved many times before settling into the current old garden house. Busy without being loud, Cotton's is a rare place where you can have a conversation with friends—or make some new ones. The patio here is one of Shanghai's loveliest, but the food menu is not, so stick to drinks.

132 Anting Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200231, China
021-6433–7995
www.cottons-shanghai.com
Nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Daily 11 am–2 am

Recommended Fodor's Video

Epic

French Concession
Housed on several levels of an old lane house, this intimate cocktail bar feels perfectly Shanghai—a contrast of old and new, with forward-thinking drinks in a traditional setting. Cocktails are intricate without being pretentious, and you'll have trouble only stopping at one.
17 Gaoyou Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
021-5411–1189

Heyday

French Concession
There's not a bad seat to be had at this intimate jazz-club gem, tucked on a quiet street. A vintage feel and great drinks complement nightly performances by local, expat, and international acts.

JZ Club

French Concession

At the king of Shanghai's jazz offerings, house bands and stellar guest performers mix it up nightly. Look for plush seating and drink prices to match. JZ Club is also the organizer of JZ Festival, which they claim is Asia's largest jazz fest. It takes place in the fall and outdoors along the Huangpu River.

Senator Saloon

French Concession

In true speakeasy style, this swinging spot is easy to miss, situated as it is behind an unmarked door on a quiet street. Step inside to travel back in time, with big-band music playing in the background, velvet damask wallpaper, a pressed-tin ceiling, and classic as well as contemporary cocktails.

Piano Bar
98 Wuyuan Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200031, China
021-5423–1330

Speak Low

French Concession
This spot led Shanghai's speakeasy trend and continues to garner international acclaim with regular appearances on lists of the world's (and Asia's) 50 best bars. Each of its four floors has a different cocktail bar and menu. All four of them serve some of Shanghai's best drinks. All are also equally popular; be prepared to wait on weekends.
579 Fuxing Zhong Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China
021-6416–0133

Union Trading Company

French Concession

A local favorite, Union feels like a neighborhood pub but has the prices and service of a posh cocktail bar. The drink list includes 100-plus concoctions, some classic, others creative; the small-bites menu features elevated American comfort food.

64 Fenyang Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, 200231, China
No phone