Chapter 3

10 pm to midnight

Nightfall

After 10 pm, the last metro trains are still running, but for many, the night is only just beginning. Bartenders settle into their rhythm, late-night kitchens are in full swing, and quiet streets lined with plane trees invite an unhurried walk. Stay a little longer, take the longer route home, and let the night unfold at its own pace.

Dining

Author's Room by Naive

Address: 2F, No 78 Huqiu Road, Huangpu district

Opening hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm, 6 pm to 1 am

Hidden above the bookstore cafe of the publishing brand Imaginist, Author's Room by Naive feels like stepping into a writer's private living room. By day, the first floor welcomes readers with books and coffee. At night, the second floor transforms into a softly lit cocktail bar, where books, music, and a cozy ambiance create an intimate atmosphere. Even the cocktail menu looks like a book, with drinks inspired by book titles, each evoking nostalgia, love, or longing.

Long Bar

Address: 1F, The PuLi Hotel and Spa, No 1 Changde Road, Jing'an district

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 am to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 8 am to 1 am

Inside The PuLi Hotel and Spa, Long Bar has long been one of Shanghai's best-known destinations to imbibe. Designed by the late Jaya Ibrahim, the elegant space reflects the hotel's tranquil atmosphere. The cocktail menu changes with the seasons, and each drink showcases thoughtful craftsmanship.

Boo's

Address: No 50-3 Ruijin Road Number Two, Huangpu district

Opening hours: 7 pm to 2 am

Many first-time visitors say Boo's feels more like a friend's living room than a cocktail bar. That sense of comfort is intentional. Inspired by neighborhood squares where people gather after dinner, the space features two distinct counters, each offering a different experience. At the entrance bar, visitors can enjoy classic or creative cocktails, while the raised seating area encourages conversation among friends and strangers alike.

Gallows Humor

Address: Room 1F-1, No 35 South Shaanxi Road, Huangpu district

Opening hours: 7:30 pm to 2 am

Gallows Humor is not a nightclub, but techno music shapes its personality the moment you walk in. The name, which refers to finding humor in desperate situations, reflects the playful contrast that runs throughout the experience. Dark interiors are offset by friendly service. The cocktail menu surprises guests with unexpected ingredients such as century eggs, blue cheese, and Marsala wine. These unconventional yet thoughtfully balanced combinations encourage guests to toast to life's absurdity.

Bar Minus

Address: No 38 South Maoming Road, Huangpu district

Opening hours: 7 pm to 1:30 am

Bar Minus builds its identity on the idea that less is more. The interior is clean and understated, free of unnecessary decoration, making it easy to focus on the drinks and the people around you. The same philosophy extends to the cocktail menu. Simple-looking recipes reveal surprising depth through carefully selected ingredients and precise techniques.

Gallery

Fotografiska Shanghai

Address: No 127 Guangfu Road, Jing'an district

Opening hours: 10:30 am to 11 pm

Housed in a renovated warehouse along Suzhou Creek, Fotografiska Shanghai blends contemporary visual art with striking industrial architecture. Original brick walls and exposed concrete beams preserve the building's historical character, creating a dramatic backdrop for international exhibitions. Unlike many museums, Fotografiska stays open until 11 pm, making it one of the city's few late-night exhibition spaces.

Livehouse

Te Amo Tango Lounge

Address: 1F, No 583 Yuyao Road, Jing'an district

Opening hours: 8 pm to 12:30 am

Often dubbed China's first tango bar, Te Amo Tango Lounge has become familiar to many movie lovers through its appearance in B for Busy. More than a place for drinks, it is a welcoming social space centered on dance. Regular tango evenings are complemented by swing and blues sessions, drawing dancers of all experience levels. Every Tuesday and Friday night, beginners can join introductory lessons before taking to the dance floor.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce