Shanghai 2009
Tuesday, 14 July 2009 09:07
Written by Justin Fisher

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Some love it others revile it. But one thing is undeniable: Bar Rouge, 7/F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, by Nanjing Dong Lu (6339 1119) epitomizes Shanghai’s vibrant nightlife. Inside, beautiful people adorn the walls and fill up all available floor space between them. When the bartenders aren’t pouring drinks, they are heating up the evening (literally) by setting the bar aflame with a rivulet of grain alcohol. Outside on the patio, posh people and posers alike bask in the glow of China’s most audacious skyline while DJs spin the hottest house music.   Some love it others revile it. But one thing is undeniable: Bar Rouge, 7/F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, by Nanjing Dong Lu (6339 1119) epitomizes Shanghai’s vibrant nightlife. Inside, beautiful people adorn the walls and fill up all available floor space between them. When the bartenders aren’t pouring drinks, they are heating up the evening (literally) by setting the bar aflame with a rivulet of grain alcohol. Outside on the patio, posh people and posers alike bask in the glow of China’s most audacious skyline while DJs spin the hottest house music. 
Muse, 68 Yuyao Lu, by Xikang Lu (6218 8166) is well on it’s way to becoming a Shanghai nightlife empire with its more recent branches at Plaza 66 and Fuxing Park. But all empires start with a strong foundation and that’s the original Muse at the New Factories in the Jing’an District. This chic, perforated, post-industrial venue has all the essential ingredients for a great club. There is a wicked, eardrum-rupturing sound system. There’s a healthy variety of house, trance, techno and hip hop. There are expertly mixed cocktails. And if you prefer hitting the sauce to hitting the dance floor, you can stumble upstairs to their, ‘cozy’ (read: crammed) lounge area. Moreover, you’ll find a great balance of punters, both local and expat.
Lounge 18, 4/F, Zhongshang Dong Yi Lu, by Nanjing Dong Lu (6323 8399) is a relative newcomer to Shanghai, and has become a wildly popular nightlife spot among the city’s glitterati. Its open and spacious floor plan is a refreshing change from the typical cramped maze of tables and chairs one finds during a typical Shanghai evening. Chilled out down-tempo beats recharge and invigorate you as you prepare for your impending all-nighter.
But there is more to Shanghai nightlife than the see-and-be-seen scene. Windows has long been a counterweight to Shanghai’s glitz and glamour. Their formula is simple: drinks at rock-bottom prices; beers and well cocktails go for RMB 10. What’s more, this Shanghai institution comes in three flavors. There is a raucously nocturnal branch in Jing’an District, J104, 1699 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Huashan Lu (3214 0351); a sports/rock bar at 681 Huashan Lu, by Sinan Lu (5382 7757); and their most recent attempt at a live music venue at 698 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Wujiang Lu (5116 8857). At the western end of town is C’s, B/F, 685 Dingxi Lu, by Fahuazhen Lu (6294 0547). This subterranean, graffiti-splashed labyrinth serves cheap drinks and attracts an edgy hipster crowd.
Shanghai has no shortage of live music, but the level of quality varies greatly. On any given bar street you’ll find at least one band hashing out mediocre renditions of all the ‘Top 40’ pop candy from months ago. This no doubt can be a good time with the right mix of friends and spirits. Kento’s, 3/F, 34 Yuyao Lu, near Xikang Lu (5213 5557), however, is a cut above. This Tokyo transplant features Japanese bands that play your favorites from the ‘50s to the ‘80s. It’s where you go for an evening of campy, nostalgic fun.  For serious music aficionados, however, the options are fewer and farther between. Fortunately, Shanghai is rapidly reclaiming its once legendary jazz scene and JZ Club, 46 Fuxing Lu, by Yongfu Lu (6431 0269), is at the forefront. Located in the fashionable former French Concession, this club hosts both local and international acts on a nightly basis and their mojitos are the best in town. Equally good is House of Blues and Jazz, 60 Fuzhou Lu, by Sichuan Lu (6323 2779). Classic colonial architecture, hardwood floors, dim lights and a clever cocktail list are perfect accompaniments to whatever is on stage that night. Shanghai’s rockers, unfortunately don’t fare as well as their jazz counterparts. Countless venues have emerged touting themselves as the city’s destination for live rock music only to collapse months later. There are nevertheless a few places that manage to scrape by. For a glimpse of Shanghai’s burgeoning counter-culture don’t miss Yuyintang, 1731 Yan’an Xi Lu, by Kaixuan Lu (5237 8662). This shoebox of a venue is owned by a musicians’ collective and regularly hosts local as well as international hardcore acts. Further afield is Live Bar, 721 Kunming Lu, by Tongbei Lu (2833 6764). With its solid lineup of rock, punk and heavy metal acts, this hole-in-the-wall is Shanghai’s answer to CBGB’s. If you are tired of being bombarded by Shanghai’s overly commercial DJ scene you can always take cover at The Shelter, 5 Yongfu Lu, by Fuxing Lu (6437 0400). This converted bomb shelter has become a favorite place for underground house and drum ‘n’ bass DJs to spin until the early hours.
If you aren’t in the mood for scenes and sounds, Shanghai has a number of bars that are great simply because of what they serve. Bartenders at Japanese-owned Constellation, 96 Xinle Lu, by Xiangyang Bei Lu (5405 0970) mix classic cocktails with surgical precision. The bar also boasts one of the best single-malt Scotch selections in the city. Enoteca, 53-57 Anfu Lu, by Wulumuqi Lu (5405 0050), is a great place for Oenophiles on a budget. Their wide selection bottles hovers around the RMB 150 range. Considering the exorbitant taxes on imported wine, this is a steal.
If all you crave is a proper pint and a place to watch a match or throw darts with your mates, Shanghai’s got you covered. Pub culture is thriving in this city. The Blarney Stone, 5A Dongping Lu, by Yueyang Lu (6415 7496) is a favorite among Irish expats itching to guzzle some Guinness. Big Bamboo 132 Nanyang Lu, by Xikang Lu (6256 2265) offers two floors of televised sport, pub grub, darts, billiards, foosball and even shuffleboard.

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