Chapter 2

8 pm to 10 pm

Golden Hour

As neon lights come on, Shanghai reveals another side of itself. Restaurant lighting dims, cocktail glasses reflect the city's lights, and the night adopts a more relaxed pace. Some go out for dinner, others head to the theater, while runners and cyclists seize the cooler evening to be active. The rule is simple: enjoy a good meal, spend time doing something you love, or embrace the energy of movement.

Dining

Nabi

Address: Room 201, 2F, Building 1, WYSH, No 168 Wuyi Road, Changning district

Opening hours: 6 pm to 11 pm

Chef Tom Ryu has become one of Shanghai's most sought-after chefs, and securing a table at Nabi is often as difficult as booking a seat at the city's hottest restaurants. The restaurant specializes in modern Korean fine dining and regularly hosts collaborative dinners with guest chefs, including Stefano Bacchelli of Scilla and Choi Hyun-seok of Choi Dot.

Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai

Address: No 186 North Shaanxi Road, Jing'an district

Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai, situated within the historic Rong Zhai mansion, is Prada's first standalone fine dining space in Asia. Executive Chef Riccardo la Perna heads the kitchen, supported by Pastry Chef Diego Crosara, and renowned guest bartenders occasionally present limited-time cocktail menus.

Nono's

Address: 2F, No 47 Yongfu Road, Xuhui district

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 6 pm to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 6 pm to 1 am

Nono's offers a unique Shanghai take on contemporary Italian dishes. The menu blends influences from various Chinese regional cuisines to create unexpected yet well-balanced combinations. While the attractive presentation may grab your attention initially, it's the flavors that truly stand out.

COA

Address: No 580 Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu district

Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, 6:30 pm to 1:30 am; Friday and Saturday, 6:30 pm to 2:30 am

The Shanghai branch of Hong Kong's award-winning COA spans four floors, each with its own theme and drinks menu: Taqueria offers casual snacks, Cantina presents innovative twists on traditional cocktails, Salon focuses on agave spirits, and Mezcaleria provides custom cocktails without a fixed menu. Guests can join the waitlist upon arrival and choose which floor to visit.

 

Retail

Fruityshop

Address: No 609 Changle Road, Xuhui district

Opening hours: Noon to 9 pm

Despite its name, Fruityshop is one of Shanghai's best-known record stores. Jazz records take center stage, but visitors will also find music magazines, clothing, tote bags, and curated music-related merchandise.

Deja vu Recycle Store

Address: No 300 Anfu Road, Xuhui district

Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Deja vu Recycle Store started as an online platform for secondhand books before it expanded to include clothing and electronics, as well as a physical retail space. At the Anfu Road location, books are showcased on the second floor, with clothing on the third. All items, thoughtfully organized and attractively arranged on the store's distinctive mint-green shelves, appear more refined than many customers might anticipate.

 

Bookshop

Baixin Bookstore

Address: No 620 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu district

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 9 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 10 pm

Founded in 1912 as a bookstall beside a theater on Fuzhou Road, Baixin Bookstore has reopened as a modern cultural space. Beyond books, the store features a vinyl section, the historic paper store Super Paper Sonic, and a central atrium that regularly hosts talks, readings, and live music.

 

Wellness

All by Runners

Address: Room 101, No 933 Nansuzhou Road, Huangpu district

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm

All by Runners serves as a hub for Shanghai's running community and is home to Dark Runners, one of China's earliest urban running clubs. The two-story space includes areas for relaxing, meeting fellow runners, and exploring urban running culture. Additionally, the outdoor plaza alongside Suzhou Creek is frequently used for warm-ups and post-run meetups.

Ace Studio

Address: Room 104-2, No 457 Jumen Road, Huangpu district

Opening hours: 9 am to 9 pm

Ace Studio is a favorite among local tennis players. While its newer Xintiandi location focuses on retail, the original Jumen Road studio offers a full range of tennis services, including racket stringing, grip replacement, and racket selection. Once you've found the right racket, you can test it on the indoor court upstairs.

Nike Run Hai Lane

Address: No 99-1 Xikang Road, Jing'an district

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Nike Run Hai Lane serves as both a community hub and the meeting point for Nike's organized group runs. Runners check in here for organized runs, test running shoes, and pick up event supplies.

 

Theater

Asia Mansion

Address: No 650 Hankou Road, Huangpu district

Asia Mansion is home to more than 20 small theaters, each centered on a different story and set in environments ranging from casinos and hotels to neighborhood bars, where audiences become part of the performance. It has become one of Shanghai's most popular evening destinations for young audiences.

 

Livehouse

JZ Club

Address: Water Tower Plaza, No 8 Hengshan Road, Xuhui district

Opening hours:

• Monday, 8:00 pm to 12:30 am;
• Tuesday to Thursday, 7:00 pm to midnight;
• Friday and Saturday, 6:30 pm to 1:30 am;
• Sunday, 6:30 pm to 12:30 am

Founded in 2003, JZ Club has become one of China's most influential jazz venues. Many of China's leading jazz musicians, as well as visiting international artists, have performed here. Even if you know little about jazz, find a quiet seat and listen as the saxophone fills the room, and you may leave with a new appreciation for it.

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce