Shanghai has quite an exciting nightlife. There is usually something going on every night of the week and you can almost guarantee that you will find something that suits your taste. From grungy music venues to upscale bars, this city can please just about anyone. The only down side to partying in Shanghai is the price of alcohol. I was shocked when I first arrived and was expected to pay $5-6 for a beer. Where were the $1-2 beers I was used to getting at home?
I quickly found that expat bars are quite a bit more expensive than local establishments, but they usually sell way better beer. And because I winced every time I had to pay my bar tab, I decided it was time to find the beset happy hours in the city so I could get more bang for my buck.
So, if you are interested in some of the more “expat friendly” locations, I give you a list of some of my happy hours:
Shanghai Brewery
One of the few places to get good craft beer brewed in Shanghai, this microbrewery offers major discounts during happy hour. Drinks are on special Monday- Friday from 2-6 and Saturday and Sunday from 4-8. There are two locations for Shanghai Brewery- Hongmei Lu and Dongping Lu.
Bar Gatsby
Bar Gatsby near West Nanjing metro station is pretty great. It has an awesome 1920s vibe with an excellent liquor selection. On top of that, their drinks are amazing. Most drinks are discounted for their happy hour, which runs weekdays from 5 o’clock.
Sixbees
If you are more in to local beers or wine, Sixbees in Jing’an is a great place to go. They offer 2-for-1 drinks from 4-7 pm.
Morton’s Steakhouse
This Chicago steakhouse has become a weeknight staple for my group. They offer ½ price martini’s and bring around free steak sliders. This great deal goes on Monday-Friday from 5-7pm.
Pistolera
This Mexican restaurant offers a fantastic deal for teachers. Every Thursday from 4-6 they have 2-for-1 margaritas. They are delicious and strong! There are three locations in Shanghai: Jinxiao, Xuhui, and Hongqiao.
If you aren’t sure what you are in the mood for, or would prefer to bar hop a bit, I suggest strolling down Laowai Ji near Hongmei lu or Yongkang Lu in the French Concession. These two streets are lined with bars and restaurants that cater to a Western crowd. Even better is the fact that they have drink specials daily.
Another great resource is using SmartShanghai. This website lists daily specials that are going on all over the city. You are bound to find something you like listed here.
Which bar have you loved happy hour at in Shanghai?
