Okay, this bar is unbelievable. Yes is not just a bar; it is a lonely hearts club, promoting dating and love. The music is the best of all things saccharine. The menu contains not only bar offerings, but also dating advice, affirmations and motivation. This bar is the newest version of “pimp” I have ever seen.

You are greeted at the door by a welcome chorus of waiters in Las Vegas style silk shirts who lead you to your seat. Once nestled into your seat, the staff then scurries about playing cupid, hoping to make a match between two people looking for love.

All joking aside, I love this bar because of its honesty. Being a total romantic, I like the idea that there is a bar in Shanghai (or indeed ANYWHERE in the world) that is promoting love that lasts longer than two cocktails, a slow dance and a taxi ride home.

With cocktails at 40RMB and a funky neon interior, Yes is well worth a visit. Couples out there who observing these creatures (AKA single people) in their natural habitat will particularly enjoy a night at Yes. Singletons  out there don’t be shy! Yes is a great place to try and meet that special someone.

The Hut is my neighborhood bar.   

There is nothing I like more than being able walk into a bar with jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, pay 20RMB for a (big) beer, play Chinese dice, and leave not feeling like I had to do any work to be there.  That, in a nutshell, is The Hut.  And while The Hut is my neighborhood bar, its also definitely a destination bar. It enjoys perfect location right in the heart of the French Concession with great happy hour specials. It boasts a cool look in a cozy way with comfy couches and table seating, and there is even a private room for those who want to have some quiet time with the option of karaoke. Best of all, The Hut’s energetic owner is simply dedicated. He is there every night greeting his guests; you just want to support him.
 
The bar only opened about three months ago, but is already catching on amongst the French Concession crowd.  Don’t worry though. At this point you won’t have any trouble finding a seat in the tiny space. The owner is also slowly introducing live music to his weekly schedule, and while it might be random at first (Saturday night is your best bet), it’s definitely worth checking out.  Last Saturday night we heard a fantastic Chinese duo play guitars while singing classic (NOT cheesy) American and British songs with perfect accents! Every other night the music played is primarily Jazz, including names such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.  On late weekend nights the music turns more contemporary and the crowd livens up.  
 
The Hut is a great choice for happy hour stop after an afternoon of walking around the French Concession. The bar also works for a group of friends seeking a low-key night out that won’t break the bank.  

How to get there:  The closest subway stop is Hengshan Lu on Metro Line 1.  Take the Yongjia Lu exit and head east (a left on Yongjia Lu out of the exit).  Walk about 15 minutes until passing Taiyuan Lu where The Hut will be on the right side of the street.  

Once inside the Hanlin Hotel lobby, take a left and then a quick right. Serving breakfast from 6:30 am -9:00, lunch from 11:30-2:00 pm, and dinner from 5:30 to 9:30, you’ll find the double doors open and enough staff to make you feel nervous, excited, and comfortable all at the same time.

For a fixed price (breakfast 20 yuan, lunch 53 yuan, and dinner 64 yuan) there is an all-you-can-eat buffet full of typical Western treats such as pizza, soups, steak, potatoes, and salad. Of course there ia also the Brazilian barbeque, which is sliced right before your very eyes. Ask for Michael, he speaks great English.

The best way to describe Lan Gui Fang is by simply stating that I'd actually love to party here even if I was back home. It's possible I've now been in China too long & have been deprived of beautiful places to sit and drink in, but Lan Gui Fang is great. Yes, its decor is a fever of kitsch, ranging from rustic European to Egyptian. The mood changes with every 20 steps, but it's magically orchestrated nonetheless with pld logs sawed into couches upholstered in blazing red with plush cushions. A Hawaiian Elvis gorilla greets you at the door, and purple fabric drapes hang from the disco ball. Meanwhile the DJ, who's really quite talented, spins music you might want to dance to, especially if you weren't the only one on the dance floor. The loft upstairs is a little quieter and even more interesting to look at as it features some very theatrical lighting trained on tasteful fixtures.

There's a full bar with cocktails available for the usual 25 to 35 yuan. Beers cost around 20 with the traditional small bottle of Tsingtao (Qingdao) priced at 15 yuan. There is no cover charge. Both Western and Chinese cuisine is also served.

Lan Gui Fang is just east of the Shandong University of Fine Art.

The first time that I entered the Pyramid, I thought to myself that life is good and true. This place is about dancing and the students, workers, slackers, and business men and women of Jinan come here to do just that. Live Chinese bands perform until about eleven, when the African DJ takes the beat up a notch. As the night winds on towards 2, 3, and 4 in morning, the music twists sometimes into middle eastern beats and you can kiss a good night's sleep goodbye!

Dinner is served from 5 to 10 pm with both Western and Chinese fare available. The bar also opens at five, staying open late, as I said, but not so late on weekdays. The bar is fully stocked with cocktails hovering around 30 yuan, beers for 20ish, and classic Tsingtao (Qingdao) beers for only 15 yuan.

The Pyramid is located almost directly across the street from the Teacher's college. It is just down the street from Shandong University of Fine Art.... hence the young and fabulous.