Shanghai's cocktail scene is the deepest in mainland China and competes with Hong Kong. Speak Low has been a global top-10 fixture; Sober Company won World's Best Bar in 2018. The 10 below cover the French Concession and Xintiandi.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
Read the world list
The 10 best cocktail bars in Shanghai
01 · Shanghai
French Concession
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Three-floor speakeasy
Three different drinking rooms, each more hidden than the last.
Order: A spec made with their house-aged spirit
02 · Shanghai
Xintiandi
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Three concept rooms · Asia 50
Three drinking rooms in one building. World's Best Bar 2018.
Order: The signature spec from whichever floor you choose
03 · Shanghai
French Concession
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Speakeasy · Reservations
Through an unmarked entrance in the French Concession. Quiet by Shanghai standards.
Order: A Negroni made with their reserve Italian amaro
04 · Shanghai
French Concession
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Spanish-influenced · Counter
Spanish-influenced cocktail bar. Vermouth-led drinks, sherry program.
Order: A copa of fino + a vermouth flight
05 · Shanghai
French Concession
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Speakeasy · Through a sandwich shop
Through an unmarked door at the back of a sandwich shop.
Order: A perfect Manhattan
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06 · Shanghai
Xintiandi
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Surrealist · Modern
Surrealist-themed Xintiandi cocktail bar. Theatrical drinks served in unusual vessels.
Order: Whatever's most theatrical on the menu
07 · Shanghai
French Concession
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Cocktail bar · Modern
French Concession modern cocktail bar. Casual atmosphere, technically excellent drinks.
Order: Bartender's choice
08 · Shanghai
French Concession
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Modern · French Concession
Modern French Concession cocktail bar with a serious food program.
Order: A drink built around baijiu (Chinese white spirit)
09 · Shanghai
Xintiandi
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Speakeasy · Modern
Hidden Xintiandi speakeasy. Reservations recommended. Modern Chinese-spirit cocktail program.
Order: A drink with huangjiu (Chinese yellow wine)
10 · Shanghai
French Concession
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Late-night · Casual
French Concession late-night cocktail bar. Casual, friendly, cheap by Shanghai standards.
Order: A whisky highball at 1 AM
More Shanghai cocktail barsThe full Shanghai cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
Why Shanghai cocktailing now
Shanghai's combination of unprecedented investment, Tokyo-style training and Chinese-spirit experimentation (baijiu, huangjiu) has produced rooms that compete globally. Speak Low and Sober Company are essential.
