Lisa: Your Local Tour Guide in SHanghai – on SHownbylocals.com

JZ Club offers its patrons a little flavor of “old Shanghai.” Dark and smoky with red lamps and quality jazz, the club packs ’em in on the weekends, so get there early. There is a large rooftop patio that not many know about – unfortunately sitting there means missing the music.

Comments from Audience: (1?One of my favorites. Live music is always great, with different styles (jazz, vocal jazz, gypsy jazz, latin…). A very mixed crowd, despite the rather expensive drinks. That’s the price to pay for their usual no-cover policy (there are exceptions for certain bands, though). ?2?great live music went on a Friday, Colombian jazz band was playing and definitely knew what they were doing. awesome show. the place is a little small so get there early (see before 9:30) or you risk sitting upstairs. drinks are a little on the expensive side, but worth it considering the quality performance.

Add : 46 Fuxing Lu, near Yongfu Lu

Hours: Daily 8pm-2am

Web: www.jzcub.cn

Phone: 6431 0269

Muse Group’s second home located in the Plaza 66 mall, M2 is a testament to the luxurious immoderation of Shanghai’s nightlife market. Prepare to spend big in this see-and-be-seen temple of image while rubbing elbows with the city’s nouveau riche and the occasional Hong Kong celebrity. The club hosts some of the better local and int’l DJ talent, but whether the crowd recognizes this or even cares is up for debate.

Add: 5/F, Plaza 66, 1266 Nanjing Xi Lu. Nanjing Xi Lu. near Xikang Lu

Hours: Sun-Wed 8pm-2am.Thu-Sat 8pm-4am

Website: www.museshanghai.cn

Phone: 6288 6222

Since 1995 the House of Blues and Jazz has being a second living room for those who are hungry for quality live music and a home for blues and jazz musicians from all over the world. In fact, the first blues and jazz bar in new Shanghai.

The present Bund location of House of Blues and Jazz is the fourth incarnation of this mainstay of the Shanghai live music scene, however with an increased capacity and an added Dining room is the best yet. It still remains a place to relax with a drink, perhaps a fine cigar, chat with Mr Lin Dongfu while listening to some of the best blues and jazz Shanghai offers.

The new House is open seven days a week with jam sessions on Sundays and mellow Monday jazz. A new restaurant called «The Dining Room» serves dinner till late. A superb Private Dining Room is ready to host upscale celebrations and board meetings.

Add: 60 Fuzhou Lu: near Sichuan Lu, Metro Line 2 East Nanjing Road.

Hours: 11am-3am

Phone: 6323 2779

The first club of the Muse group, is now a staple in the Shanghai clubbing scene. Every night has its own feature events, with weekend events bringing in some bigger DJ names. The crowd is mixed and with 2 levels, one dedicated to the Hip-Hop crowd and the main floor to a mix crowd.

Add: 68 Yuyao Lu, near Xikang Lu. inside The New Factories.

Hours: Sun-Wed: 8pm-2am: Thu-Sat: 8pm-4am.

Website: www.museshanghai.cn

Phone: 5213 5228

Bar Rouge is the most famous club in Shanghai, and sets the standard for Bund nightlife, with its terrace view, classy, sleek interiors and iconic French-Shanghai identity. Bar Rouge kicks off the weekend early with themed parties on Thursdays (see SmSh’s Upcoming Listings for details) and always runs early in the morning on Friday and Saturday. A must-visit for out-of-towners sampling the high end of Shanghai nightlife.

Add: 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. near Nanjing Dong Lu.

Hour: Sun-Thu, 6pm-2am. Fri-Sat, 6pm-late

Web: www. bar-rouge-shanghai.com

Tel: 86(21) 6339-1199

Perched on the 87th floor of the Jin Mao Tower, Cloud 9, the Grand Hyatt’s hotel bar, offers one of the best views in Asia. Make sure you get a table facing west for views of the Bund, Pearl Tower, and the lights of Puxi; windowscapes of its new, taller neighbor, the Shanghai World Financial Center, are to the southeast. There is a 110rmb minimum order, but with its extensive drink and appetizer menu you are spoiled for choice on how to spend it.

Add :87/F Jin Mao Bldg, 88 Shi Ji Da Dao, Pudong

Hours: 11h30am-2am

Phone: 5049 1234

This venue is the new haven for those who choose dancing over posing. The large, comfortable chill out rooms in the back give dancers a place to rest as the main room is all about the dance floor: no lights, no chairs, just people dancing and enjoying the inexpensive drinks.

Add: Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Lu, Metro Line 1 Changshu Lu Station

Hours: Wed-Sun 9pm-late

Phone : 6437 040

Where the hip Shanghainese go to see and be seen and this venue is packed with almost entirely local Chinese partygoers. One of the most exclusive destinations near People’s Square, it’s worth a look around if you can get past the headset-clad bouncers guarding the entrance.

Add: Rm.101, Shanghai Square, 138 Huaihaizhong Lu,
Huaihai Zhong Lu ear Pu’an Lu

Hours: 8.30pm-2am

Phone: 6375 6667

A staple of the Italian community Club MAO on Dongping Lu packs in the clubbers every weekend for their themed parties. Expects lots of heavy thump-thump-thump Euro electro and the models that frequently come with that style of club. This one stays open real late with the dance floor packed until 7am. It’s usually free entrance for ladies with men left with a cover charge and a free drink for their troubles.

Add: 46 Yueyang Lu. near Dongping Lu, Metro Line 1 Hengshan Lu Station

Hours: Tue-Thu 9pm-3am. Fri-Sat 9pm -4am

website: www.maoshanghai.com

Phone: 139-0185-3963

Located in the beautiful French Concession on the corner of Dong Ping Road and Hengshan Road, Zapata’s is open 7 days a week with dinner starting at 5PM. We feature two airy floors where you can enjoy our fantastic food or famous Margaritas. Vibrant, welcoming colors recreate the “cantina” feeling. Our menu provides a large range of Mexican dishes which we serve well into the night, we specialize in Authentic Mexican Food importing many of our ingredients to ensure the “true” taste of Mexico. From our spicy Jalapenos Poppers to our gigantic burritos and sizzling fajitas, we have the best Mexican food in Shanghai.

Zapata’s really has something for everyone whether it is a quiet dinner or an outrageous party. Our first floor features a huge bar top where customers are encouraged to dance the night away as one of our many DJs pump the latest tunes through our enormous sound system. The second floor offers customers the chance to take in all the craziness going on below. Outside the doors upstairs we have the open air Frida Kahlo bar where you can enjoy Al fresco dining and cocktails. In the summer enjoy Flamenco Guitar every Thursday as you take in the Shanghai night under the stars. The garden features another bar, taco stand and plenty of opportunities to enjoy old friends and make new ones. Often packed on our busy nights it is a great chance to drink, talk and enjoy the fiesta.

Next time you have an event keep us in mind. Whether a quiet get together for 10 people or a large function for 250, Zapata’s will take the worry out of planning your next event and leave you to the more important things, having fun. We have options for every budget and if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you and provide you the same great food, drinks and service that you would expect from Zapata’s.

Add: 5 Hengshan Lu, near Dongping Lu

Hour: Daily, 5pm-late

Web: www.zapatas-shanghai.com

Phone : 6433 4104

Happy Hour : Zapata’s hosts a slew of happy hour discounts. Good for patio seating, eating, and devolving into a full on drunk fest — Mon to Fri, 5pm-7pm: 25rmb Frozen Margaritas, Tsing Tao, Carlsberg Draught, and Chicken and Cheese Nachos.