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Cotton's

I have been consistently hearing about Cotton’s since I moved to Shanghai. It’s therefore possible I was set up for disappointment, because it could not possibly live up to my expectations.  An old favorite of Shanghai expatriates, Cotton’s closed its doors last year to t...
I have been consistently hearing about Cotton’s since I moved to Shanghai. It’s therefore possible I was set up for disappointment, because it could not possibly live up to my expectations.  An old favorite of Shanghai expatriates, Cotton’s closed its doors last year to the horror of its customers.  Fortunately, when Cotton’s announced it would be opening a new locale on Anting Lu and JiuJiaBang Lu, the Shanghai English publications were a-flurry with excitement.  Since it opened this past winter, rave reviews had me looking forward to my first visit.
 
Cotton’s is housed in a fantastic historic residence that combines an air of old Shanghai and the integration of some cool new architectural elements.  Old living spaces now house bench seats and tables for low key drinkers, while a new glass addition holds the chic bar space and small café tables.  The bar area seemed a little more social, as the space inside the historic home felt a bit stuffy.  Despite the high ceilings, the space felt strangely small and crowded as if I was in a fish bowl... that is, patrons more interested in staring at other people than enjoying their drinks and company.  It could very well just have been the crowd on that given day though. I will definitely go back to Cotton’s when the weather is nice enough to enjoy the charming outdoor space.
 
Cocktails ranged from 45-55RMB.
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Hengshan Rd. Station. Follow the signs to YongJia Rd, and then turn left on Yongjia Rd.  Take the first right, which will lead to Jian Guo Xi Lu; Cotton’s is on the corner.

Studio 78

Studio 78’s Official Website

  
Studio 78 is one of about 15 bars that have set up shop in the newly developed bar district on Tongren Lu catering to expats. While the ...

Studio 78’s Official Website

  
Studio 78 is one of about 15 bars that have set up shop in the newly developed bar district on Tongren Lu catering to expats. While the bars in this area can be something of a meat market, Studio 78’s second floor location provides some seclusion. As a result, it usually hosts a smaller crowd (i.e. less of a meat market).  If  the chaos at Blue Frog, Judy’s, or M-Zone is too much for you, try Studio 78. 
 
The drinking environment is entertaining, to say the least, as it transports patrons back to the 1970’s disco era.  The bar takes advantage of the 70’s fun décor with everything from disco balls to mod velvet couches.  The music, however, stays up to date unless there is a special themed party. Those in the mood to dance should move towards the small, makeshift dance floor whose brightly colored lighting will entice you to bust a move.
 
Drinks are standard prices for Tongren Lu at RMB45 for a mixed drink and RMB35-40 for a bottled beer.  Saturday evenings from 8pm-10pm is Cheesy Sounds night featuring unlimited martinis and music from the Rat Pack for a RMB100 cover charge. After 10pm the music changes to 80’s and 90’s.
  
How to get there:  Take Metro Line 2 to Jingan Temple Station. Exit onto Nanjing Rd, and walk east. Take a right on Tongren Lu, Studio 78 is on the left side about 10 minutes walk from the station.

CJW (Cigar Jazz Wine)

If your heart pulses with a jazz beat, Shanghai has a surprising collection of music venues ranging from international names to more humble, yet eager, Chinese clubs . The most luxurious choice and arguably the best jazz club in China, is CJW.

CJW has two locations, one in Xintiandi and t...

If your heart pulses with a jazz beat, Shanghai has a surprising collection of music venues ranging from international names to more humble, yet eager, Chinese clubs . The most luxurious choice and arguably the best jazz club in China, is CJW.

CJW has two locations, one in Xintiandi and the other in the Bund Center by the Westin Hotel. Visitors with limited time in Shanghai should head for the CJW locale on the Bund. Situated on the 50F, it offers spectacular night views of the Huangpu River.

The music is genuine jazz and all musicians are “imported” from overseas.  Just recently CJW played host to the luscious Arlee McLeonard. The venue now boasts Craig Haynes, son of famed jazz musician Roy Haynes, as part of the house band. Musical selections range from swing beats to jazz to old classics.

The décor and layout resembles a scene from a Turkish palace with silk swathed crystal chandeliers and velvet seats. If headed to CJW as part of a bigger group, I recommend booking in advance. A reservation for a spot around the edge of the venue offers an encompassing view, plenty of privacy, and plush sofas to lounge on. There is a 800RMB minimum. The minimum might sound like a lot to some, but with cocktails at 80RMB, it really is an easy target to hit.

The manager, Eric Zhang, originally hails from Taiwan, and has lived in Hawaii. He speaks fluent English, brings a tremendous sense of fun, and reliably offers a warm welcome to all of his guests.

CJW Xintiandi is a smaller venue, but it still offers the same outstanding talent.

Make sure to reserve a spot on the weekends, as CJW almost always fills up quickly. While there are no strict guidelines on dress, I would still recommend appearing half decent on a Friday or Saturday night.

CJW at Bund Center, 50F, No.222 Yan’an Donglu, Shanghai
TEL:+86 (0)21 6339 1777 OR +86 (0)21 6339 2777

CJW at Xintiandi, House 2, Lane 123, Xinye Lu, Shanghai
TEL:+86 (0)21 6385 6677 OR +86 (0)21 6385 2277

JZ's Jazz Bar

I lasted 10 minutes at JZ’s Jazz Bar before I walked out. Unfortunately I am totally serious. JZ’s attempt at a sultry, sexy feel simply manages to come off as seedy. Lit with red lights and filled with abundant bar stools, JZ’s reeks of foreplay. Popular amongst Shanghai’...

I lasted 10 minutes at JZ’s Jazz Bar before I walked out. Unfortunately I am totally serious. JZ’s attempt at a sultry, sexy feel simply manages to come off as seedy. Lit with red lights and filled with abundant bar stools, JZ’s reeks of foreplay. Popular amongst Shanghai’s foreign jazz musicians, JZ’s appears to be the place where the white male proudly shows off his Chinese lady...or alternatively, where he goes to pick one up.
  
The music is authentic, but too instrumental for my personal taste. Chinese vocalist Violet is worth catching though... when she does open her mouth.
  
Luxurious upstairs seating comes with a hefty minimum spend of 500RMB. At a venue such as CJW, one with taste and class, I might pay for the luxury. However, I certainly would not at JZ’s.
 
I hate to sound harsh, but JZ’s just isnt my kind of jazz scene.

 

Yes

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 “pim...

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

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 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.  

The Bund

The bund,a symbol of Shanghai,is a must-see place in Shanghai.It is a showcase of the city’s semi-colonial past and its transformation in the new era.

...

The bund,a symbol of Shanghai,is a must-see place in Shanghai.It is a showcase of the city’s semi-colonial past and its transformation in the new era.

The Bund is an Anglo-Indian word for embankment.In Chinese,we call it Waitan.It is about 1,500 meters long,running from the Waibaidu Bridge in the north to Yan’an Road in the south.

At the beginning of the 19th century,this area was a mere shallow waterfront.After the Opium War in 1840s,Shanghai was opened as a Treaty Port and the Bund area became one of the earliest foreign settlements.Many buildings were builtin the early 20th century and they used to house embassies,hotels,banks and so on.In the 1930s,the Bund was described the Wall Street in the Far East.

In 1990s,the Bund underwent a massive transformation.The promenade was raised prevent the city from flooding.Since then,The Bund has served as a central business district and a tourist attraction.Besides,it also offers visitors a peek into everyday life of the locals.

Just before 2010 Shanghai Expo,the Bund was renovated again.The renovation turned the Bund from a vehicle-dominated area to a pedestrian-dominated area.

Although the Bund went through great physical change,the skylines of this area did not change.As we can see,altogether ,26 buildings stand in a line,projecting an imposing city skyline.They were built mainly in the 1920s and 1930s,with the earliest in 1906.These buildings are in a variety of styles ,ancient and modern,Chinese and foreign.No wonder the Bund is known as a “Gallery of World Architecture”.When night falls,these buildings look magnificent and charming just like a giant crystal palace.

Besides,the Bund is also a traffic hub.There are many important streets here,such as Nanjing Road.It still serves as an important link between the north and south of the Suzhou Creek.In the future,the Bund will extend to the Nanpu Bridge in the south and the Yangpu Bridge in the north.

If we say the history of Shanghai is a mirror of the history of modern China,the history of the Bund can be considered the mirror of modern Shanghai.

 

Anyi Night market

In downtown Jing’an District the Anyi Night market re-opened again. During the weekend a new contribution to the city’s revitalizing nightlife.

...

In downtown Jing’an District the Anyi Night market re-opened again. During the weekend a new contribution to the city’s revitalizing nightlife.

Anyi Road is located between Changde Road and Tongren Road. It is a small quite lane tucked away near the Jing’an Kerry Center. On Saturday and Sunday night, it turns into a stylish weekend night market. It will open from 4:30pm to 12am on Saturday and 2:30pm to 10pm on Sunday.

On Saturday, the neon-lit street is jammed. Visitors are strolling around, having a beer and snacks in hand, to watch performers doing their act, play games and look at lot of shopping stalls. There are some special florist stalls that sell beautiful bouquets of seasonal flowers. 

Anyi Night Market is a place for both, young people and senior citizens and visitors of Shanghai.

Both sides of the street are dotted with food stalls offering pumpkin pie, grilled sausage and Chinese fried dough sticks. While eating your snack you can watch street artists and live performances. There are benches for people to have a seat and eat their snacks.
Young designers like to show and sell their clothes and accessories.

During the year there the plan is to have special theme events. Like Christmas lights or a beer festival but always to be held along with displays of unique Shanghai culture.

 

Xu Jin

Bar Rouge

A nice bar in the Bund No.18. With 2 parts: outside part and inside part. Standing on the balcony, you can enjoy all the beautiful views of the Bund.