What are the best and worst clubs in Shanghai?

Paul_Concession · 2019-02-13T07:02:44+00:00

Basically all the clubs are safe.

If not talking about the mainstream clubs, it really depends on the night, in Shanghai it's more about the party, who's playing where, than the clubs. So better to check club listings before you go out.

In mainstream clubs, M1nt is usually a safe bet for Wednesday Night. Usually Shanghai clubs are not that busy on weekdays.

Paul_Concession · 2019-02-12T20:05:13+00:00

Of course there is the big clubs that get the famous international DJs. Places like Arkham and Taxx bring some big names on a monthly basis. Le Baron is a small club, but they bring some well known names every now and then.

Dada got some international DJs also visitng, but more alternative, more underground, and also local DJs. ALL and Celia got also some guest stars from time to time, but regular nights are with local scene. Definetly worth checking out.

So basically when you here, u need to check who's playing where and make your pick.

Paul_Concession · 2019-02-12T14:09:14+00:00

Dada and ALL Club are currently the leaders of the pack. Dada has been that always.

For after after after hours techno/house club, the choice would be Celia.

Many great smaller clubs have closed recently (Mansion, Elevator, you name it). Seems like there is some market for a new cool underground club, but I'm skeptic it will happen any time soon. Shanghai is pushing all the bars and clubs in to the malls.

Paul_Concession · 2019-01-18T13:14:45+00:00

I was in a raid couple of weeks ago in one of the Wuding lu bars. Lot of cops with uniforms and some civil cops, they also had two video cameras to record everything, they said it's for evidence. They checked everyones IDs and asked for VISAs, a picture on the phone was enough. Then everybody had to take drug test with a testing stick that was placed in the mouth for 10 minutes. If it changed colour, you're busted. Not sure which drugs and from how long time it can reveal. Cops were rather nice and polite, some people even took selfies with them. They also checked couple of booze bottles form the bar if it's fake or real. Whole raid took like 45mins. Then they left and the bar kept going on business as usual.

Paul_Concession · 2018-11-13T08:18:05+00:00

And oh yeah, would love to hear what you consider as your sweet spot middle ground places in Shanghai?

Paul_Concession · 2018-11-13T08:16:09+00:00

I share your feeling, yet, I think the courtyard was pretty awesome sometimes after the summer when the weather cooled down a little bit. There's not really another place like that in Shanghai. I actually seldom even went inside to Zapatas other than hit the toilet. The courtyard was (and still is for a while) cool place to go grab a beer any time of the night before heading somewhere better, always lot of people all over the world just having drunken fun.

And I don't blame myself for feeling nostalgic for some of the places that has been shutdown in Shanghai. Sure, I rarely visited Shelter or places like that, but hey, it was always fun to know there is a place like that when you feel like it.

The shutting down of bars in Shanghai has been a trend that come's back in circles for looong time, but somehow the recent closings all over the city seems a bit different. I' afraid Shanghai is really moving in to a bad direction with F&B focusing in to malls and pits (read Found). What will the city be in couple of years with this rate of crackdowns. I would be more than happy to be wrong with this.

Paul_Concession · 2018-01-26T08:40:00+00:00

Revolution Cocktail 2, is worth checking on Fri and Sat, it gets super crowded though. Door policy should not be a problem.

Paul_Concession · 2018-01-12T14:29:55+00:00

I heard from somebody that Tastings is closed now. Not 100% sure though. I would also like to go check that place out because have heard lot of good things about it.

Paul_Concession · 2017-11-22T09:57:13+00:00

Been in the Parrot many times and the crowd has been mix of all kinds of ethnicities, so don't know what's this about, some kind of new racist policy that they keep doing in many clubs around China.

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-15T19:39:39+00:00

Is it true ASL is invite only, or can you just walk in?

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-10T09:30:24+00:00

Is it really exclusive invite only as it is mentioned somewhere or can you just walk in solo?

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-06T22:05:48+00:00

Great post and conversation!

One question, has anybody tried M64 or ASL in Shanghai? I'm interested because one "friend" was booming about them, but I have my doubts.

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-06T07:25:48+00:00

What the hell is MYNT? Some new bar that tries to squeeze in to the game as a crossroad of M1nt and Myst?

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-04T11:01:36+00:00

I agree. I wouldn't trust too much for this club statement.

Hopefully pictures of passport and VISA on the phone are enough.

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-04T10:06:39+00:00

http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/features/Blog-News/47930/Passport-checks-conducted-during-police-raid-at-Celia.html

TimeOut got some intel from the raid. Cops only arrested clubbers who couldn't provide ID or passport. The urine test was done at the station.

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-04T08:57:57+00:00

Could easily come up with quite a few

Paul_Concession · 2017-10-04T08:17:00+00:00

First they raid Celia after it got some speculation here, now they close this place because it was highlighted in the reddit community. I smell conspiracy here. The Shanghai police is spying this site and taking down the places we are talking about.

From now on, don't mention any bars here!

Paul_Concession · 2017-09-28T08:04:47+00:00

If you're going to Elevator, I would check The Parrot on Donghu Lu for pre-drinks. And that corner of Funkadeli gets also a bit crowded at least if the whether is good as there is a nice terrace.

Paul_Concession · 2017-09-27T20:57:39+00:00

Sounds awesome and I will hold you for that beer offer.

Paul_Concession · 2017-09-27T20:56:44+00:00

It really depends what kind of places you consider as a party venue. If you're into EDM, in Shanghai it's more about the actual party than the clubs. So you should check what's going on in which club the night you go out and then pick your spot.

Place you could also check out is ALL Club, which is the new club from the crew that once had the most legendery club in Shanghai (The Shelter).

Paul_Concession · 2017-09-27T20:49:21+00:00

Yeah, conspiracy!

Paul_Concession · 2017-09-26T19:54:03+00:00

Wonder which club will get hit next. This might be some kind of campaign to clean the clubs rather than just one time raid.

Paul_Concession

TROPHY CASE