Tourist sites in China tend to stick to absurdly old-school timing, often slamming the doors shut by 5 p.m. at the latest. If you’d like to explore the city when the lights go down, please don’t feel you need to clamber aboard a neon-clad boat and sail up and down the Huangpu with the tourist hordes – there are plenty more enjoyable ways to pass an evening. And if Bespoke’s fabulous Cocktail Experience or Night Biking just aren’t quite enough for you, here are a few of our favorite ways to see another side of Shanghai.
All that Jazz
Shanghai has a proud jazz heritage that harks back to her 1930s heyday. The Jazz Bar in the Peace Hotel remains the most famous option and with good reason – the veteran performers have an average age of 80! Those wanting to delve a little deeper into the contemporary scene should head into the former French Concession, where the slick JZ Bar and slightly rougher and readier Cotton Club both have nightly performances. (JZ Club: 46 Fuxing Xi Lu; Cotton Club:1416 Huaihai Zhong Lu)
Evening Performances
Various acrobatic troupes perform nightly in Shanghai (and if that’s your thing, ERA is our favorite) but, having invested heavily in world class venues like Culture Square and the exquisite new Shanghai Symphony Hall, we’re seeing an increasing number of top orchestras, theater troupes and the like descend on the city. Ask Bespoke what performances are occurring during your stay and we’ll be happy to make suggestions.
Spa Treatments
After a day pounding the pavements, Shanghai has a range of options for a relaxing rub down. For oil massages, a Bespoke favourite is the excellent-value Subconscious Day Spa on Fumin Lu. For those looking for something more sociable, then Oriental Taipan on Dagu Lu (both open until at least midnight) has a large room in which a group of five friends can gather for foot massages – snacks and drinks included! (Subconscious Day Spa is at 183 Fumin Road, tel: 021-6415-0636)
Viewing Platforms
A good choice for families (assuming you don’t have vertigo), the viewing platform of the Shanghai World Financial Center is, for our money, the best of the bunch and is open until 23:00 nightly. Our top tip? Ascend the dizzy heights just before sunset to catch the spectacle of Shanghai changing from day to night. (The SWFC is located at 100 Century Avenue, tel: 021-6877 7878).
Karaoke
The local evening entertainment of choice, this is the option for those that want a totally authentic Shanghai nightlife experience. Do note, however, that Chinese karaoke establishments are private room affairs so you’ll want to round up a few willing accomplices should you require an audience. Options abound, but Taipei Chun K is the hottest property of the moment, and has both the requisite selection of English songs and quality booze that provide the basis for an enjoyable ‘KTV’ evening. (Tapei Chun K is located at 618 Xujiahui Road, 021-3115-5888)
Want to spend the night with Bespoke? Get in touch and let us lead the way.