Shanghai Nightlife

There’s not a lot to do in Pudong except look up. Lujiazui is China’s financial center and home to some truly astonishing, ultra modern, ultra tall architecture. At Cloud 9 patrons can look down upon all of this modernism. Until the neighboring World Financial Centre opens early in 2008 the neo-gothic Jin Mao Building will remain China’s tallest building. Perched on top of it on the 87th floor is Cloud 9, the highest bar in the world.

Once inside the Jin Mao three elevators are required to get to the very top. To get a real feeling of how gigantic a building it is take a walk around after exiting the second elevator. The view down to the Hyatt Hotel lobby is not for the faint hearted, and that’s only looking half way down! The bar itself, modern, sleek and dimly lit, would be nothing special on it’s own, but the views are spectacular in the right conditions. Cloud 9 towers above the Pudong skyline and offers great views of the Bund and the rest of the city. If anything, it’s too high. Others sometimes favor the view from The Piano Bar (53rd floor) or Patio Bar (56th floor), but they are half way houses and the atmosphere at Cloud 9 is better. Drinks are expensive, so go for the speciality cocktails. The Blue Shanghai was well worth the 90RMB if you treat it as a drink and a sight in one. After 8PM there is a 130RMB/person minimum to meet anyway, so it is best just to go for it. Somehow it would not feel right sipping on a coke while gazing out across this remarkable city.

Directions: The Jin Mao Building on Shiji Dadao is close to the Lujiazui metro station on Line 2.

Face

Face is a truly beautiful bar in an elegant 1930s building. It is an ideal locale for a few pre-dinner drinks. Located inside the Ruijin Guest House complex in a converted French Concession villa, Face is a fine-looking nod to how things used to be done in Shanghai. Opium beds and colonial era signs on the walls give it the old world atmosphere that so many other Shanghai bars wish they had. Every detail from the drinks to the service to the afternoon teas is classy without a hint of pretension. Prices are fitting for this kind of quality bar in Shanghai. That means 50RMB for a pint of beer, cocktails start at 40RMB, and house wines from 200RMB. A half price Happy Hour from 5-8PM makes Face the best deal in town for a relaxing place to build up your appetite. In warmer weather an hour or two outside overlooking the lawn counts as an essential Shanghai experience.

C's

C’s is an unashamedly dank and fairly dirty underground bar on the west side of Shanghai. It has achieved the seemingly impossible distinction of somehow managing to assert itself down-market of Windows. It basically follows the same formula: 10RMB drinks and R&B, but an even dingier setting.

By the small bar area there is an equally small dance floor, which only really sees any action at weekends. Past the dance floor are several other rooms. Negotiating your way back from the fairly unpleasant toilets can prove problematic.

The other main difference from Windows is the clientele. The sheer volume of sleazy Westerners desperately seeking Chinese girls can be off putting in Windows. Meanwhile at C’s you will find mostly locals. The private rooms invariably ring with the sound of a dice drinking game, which mostly involves slamming your dice cup down on the table.

C’s can be a good, fun night out especially if you’ve been away for a few weeks and you’re over budget. It’s a bit out of the way, but the price of the drinks more than compensates for the slightly more expensive taxi fare back home.

Baby Face

Located just to the south of People’s Square in the heart of the city Babyface is very much the heart of the Chinese club scene. There are plenty of places which are legendary amongst ex-pats that most Chinese have never even heard of. Babyface is the one club that every young Chinese knows and at times it feels like every young Chinese goes there. It’s big club with a big reputation and always crowded. There are persistent rumours that foreigners are turned away at the door which, although not true, does illustrate that it’s mostly a local club for local people. One of the drinks of choice is whisky mixed with green tea. The best place to see how the Chinese do a big night out.

Manifesto

Manifesto is the low-key version of Bar Rouge. Manifesto boasts a fantastic atmosphere, tasty drinks, and awesome décor without the drunken westerners and snobby models. Located on Julu Lu near several great restaurants (including Mesa, which is actually connected to Manifesto), this locale can easily top off a romantic date or exciting night out with friends. Manifesto offers a variety of seating from high seats at the bar to comfy cushioned booths, so you can snuggle up with your sweetheart. The drink menu includes all of the classic choices with cocktails priced around 50RMB beer around 40RMB. In addition to the standard choices Manifesto offers some creative specialties including a great lychee flavored martini. Manifesto is a cozy yet elegant locale. When I feel the urge to be grown up and get a little dressed up, this is my first choice.

Update: Manifesto just moved upstairs from Mesa to an even cooler space with a lovely terrace.

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Changshu Rd. Station. Exit onto Changshu Rd. and head north. Take a right on Julu Lu. Manifesto is on the left side of the street before the intersection with Fumin Lu.