Shanghai’s 20 Best Nightclubs
The ultimate guide to Shanghai’s electrifying nightlife scene, ranked by music quality, atmosphere, and VIP experience
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
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Dec 2024
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Expert Contributors
Why Shanghai’s Nightlife Scene Matters
Shanghai’s nightclub scene represents the perfect fusion of Eastern sophistication and Western energy, creating an unparalleled entertainment landscape that attracts party-goers from around the globe. With over 200 venues across the city and an annual nightlife economy worth $2.8 billion, understanding the best spots can make or break your Shanghai experience.
Shanghai nightclubs operate on a tier system where location, music curation, and VIP services determine the overall experience quality and pricing structure.
The city’s nightlife peaks between Thursday and Saturday, with most premium venues requiring advance reservations and dress code compliance for entry.
International DJs regularly perform at Shanghai’s top venues, making it a crucial stop on the global electronic music circuit and Asian nightlife tour.
Pro Tip from Our Nightlife Experts
Book VIP tables through our Shanghai Nightlife Kings service to skip lines, get premium seating, and enjoy exclusive bottle service packages. Our local connections ensure you experience Shanghai’s nightlife like a true insider.
Shanghai Nightlife Districts
SHANGHAI NIGHTLIFE DISTRICTS
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ YANGPU │ │ HONGKOU │ │ BAOSHAN │
│ │ │ [18] │ │ │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ PUTUO │ │ JING’AN │ │ HUANGPU │
│ [19][20] │ │[2][3][4][5] │ │ [1][6][7] │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ CHANGNING │ │ XUHUI │ │ PUDONG │
│ [14][15] │ │[8][9][10] │ │[11][12][13] │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘
┌─────────────┐
│ MINHANG │
│ [16][17] │
└─────────────┘
Top 20 Nightclub Locations by District
[1] M1NT Shanghai
[2] TAXX
[3] Bar Rouge
[4] Unico
[5] Dada Bar
[6] VUE Bar
[7] Attica
[8] Elevator
[9] Lola
[10] The Apartment
[11] SET
[12] FUSION
[13] Arkham
[14] Myst
[15] OT Circus
[16] RIINK
[17] Lucca 390
[18] The Nest
[19] ALL Club
[20] VOID
The Complete Top 20 Ranking
1
M1NT Shanghai
★★★★★ 4.9/5
📍 24F, Three on the Bund
💰 $$$$ Premium
Shanghai’s most exclusive rooftop nightclub offering breathtaking 360-degree city views from the 24th floor. M1NT combines sophisticated dining with world-class DJs, attracting celebrities, business elites, and international party-goers. The venue features multiple levels, VIP lounges, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline.
Music: House, Progressive, Commercial
Capacity: 400 people
Dress Code: Smart Casual/Upscale
Hours: Thu-Sat 10PM-4AM
Entry: ¥150-300 (varies by event)
Metro: East Nanjing Road (Lines 2, 10)
2
TAXX
★★★★★ 4.8/5
📍 Jing’an Kerry Centre
💰 $$$$ Premium
An ultra-modern nightclub known for hosting international superstar DJs and creating immersive audio-visual experiences. TAXX features cutting-edge sound systems, LED installations, and theatrical performances that transform the space into a sensory wonderland. The venue attracts Shanghai’s fashion-forward crowd and international celebrities.
Music: EDM, Techno, Progressive House
Capacity: 600 people
Dress Code: Fashion Forward/Trendy
Hours: Wed-Sat 10PM-5AM
Entry: ¥200-500 (event dependent)
Metro: Jing’an Temple (Lines 2, 7)
3
Bar Rouge
★★★★☆ 4.7/5
📍 18F, Bund 18
💰 $$$ High-End
A legendary Bund institution offering spectacular river views and sophisticated nightlife since 2004. Bar Rouge combines elegant cocktail culture with energetic dance floors, featuring resident DJs and special events. The venue’s floor-to-ceiling windows provide unmatched views of the Pudong skyline, making it perfect for both intimate conversations and celebratory dancing.
Music: House, Deep House, Commercial
Capacity: 350 people
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Hours: Tue-Sat 6PM-3AM
Entry: ¥100-200 (after 10PM)
Metro: East Nanjing Road (Lines 2, 10)
4
Unico
★★★★☆ 4.6/5
📍 Jing’an District
💰 $$$ High-End
A sophisticated underground venue known for its intimate atmosphere and carefully curated music selection. Unico attracts discerning music lovers who appreciate quality over quantity, featuring both local and international DJs who specialize in deep house, minimal techno, and progressive sounds. The venue’s industrial-chic design creates an authentic underground club experience.
Music: Deep House, Minimal Techno
Capacity: 200 people
Dress Code: Casual Chic
Hours: Thu-Sat 10PM-4AM
Entry: ¥80-150
Metro: Jing’an Temple (Lines 2, 7)
5
Dada Bar
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
📍 Jing’an District
💰 $$ Mid-Range
A quirky and artistic venue that embodies Shanghai’s alternative culture scene. Dada Bar features eclectic decor, experimental music, and a diverse crowd of artists, creatives, and free spirits. The venue regularly hosts live performances, art exhibitions, and themed parties that celebrate unconventional artistic expression and underground culture movements.
Music: Alternative, Indie, Experimental
Capacity: 150 people
Dress Code: Creative/Artistic
Hours: Wed-Sun 8PM-3AM
Entry: ¥50-120
Metro: Jing’an Temple (Lines 2, 7)
Complete Rankings 6-20
| Rank | Club Name | District | Rating | Price | Music Style | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | VUE Bar | Huangpu | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | $$$ | House, Commercial | 300 |
| 7 | Attica | Huangpu | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | $$$ | Progressive House | 250 |
| 8 | Elevator | Xuhui | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | $$ | Hip-Hop, R&B | 200 |
| 9 | Lola | Xuhui | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | $$ | Latin, Commercial | 180 |
| 10 | The Apartment | Xuhui | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | $$ | Indie, Alternative | 120 |
| 11 | SET | Pudong | ★★★☆☆ 3.9 | $$$ | EDM, Progressive | 400 |
| 12 | FUSION | Pudong | ★★★☆☆ 3.8 | $$ | Mixed Genre | 300 |
| 13 | Arkham | Pudong | ★★★☆☆ 3.7 | $$ | Techno, Industrial | 250 |
| 14 | Myst | Changning | ★★★☆☆ 3.6 | $$ | House, Deep House | 200 |
| 15 | OT Circus | Changning | ★★★☆☆ 3.5 | $ | Pop, Commercial | 150 |
| 16 | RIINK | Minhang | ★★★☆☆ 3.4 | $ | Hip-Hop, Trap | 180 |
| 17 | Lucca 390 | Minhang | ★★★☆☆ 3.3 | $ | Commercial, Pop | 160 |
| 18 | The Nest | Hongkou | ★★★☆☆ 3.2 | $ | Indie, Rock | 100 |
| 19 | ALL Club | Putuo | ★★★☆☆ 3.1 | $ | Mixed Genre | 120 |
| 20 | VOID | Putuo | ★★★☆☆ 3.0 | $ | Electronic, Ambient | 80 |
Shanghai Nightlife Statistics & Trends
Weekly Activity Levels
Monday ████ 20%
Tuesday ██████ 30%
Wednesday ████████████ 60%
Thursday ████████████████████████████████████ 90%
Friday ████████████████████████████████████████████ 100%
Saturday ████████████████████████████████████████████ 100%
Sunday ████████████████ 80%
Average Spending by Category
Premium ($$$)
¥300-800 per person
Entry + 2-3 drinks
Mid-Range ($$)
¥150-300 per person
Entry + 2-3 drinks
Budget ($)
¥80-150 per person
Entry + 2-3 drinks
VIP Tables
¥2,000-8,000 per table
4-8 people + bottles
Nightlife Demographics & Insights
Age Distribution
22-28 years: 40%
29-35 years: 35%
36-42 years: 15%
21 & under: 7%
43+ years: 3%
Peak demographic: Young professionals and expats
Nationality Mix
Chinese locals: 45%
Western expats: 30%
Asian expats: 15%
Tourists: 10%
International atmosphere with local flavor
Spending Patterns
Average night out: ¥280
VIP table bookings: 25%
Bottle service: 40%
Food orders: 60%
Premium experiences increasingly popular
2025 Nightlife Trends
🎵 Music Evolution: Growing demand for techno and deep house over commercial EDM
🍸 Experience Focus: Venues investing in immersive experiences and themed nights
📱 Digital Integration: QR code ordering and social media integration becoming standard
🌟 Sustainability: Eco-friendly practices and locally-sourced ingredients gaining importance
Ready to Experience Shanghai’s Best Nightlife?
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Insider knowledge included
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