Shanghai Bars & Cocktail Lounges

Pearl of the Orient and Whore of the East, Shanghai has been dragged through an incredibly chequered past of invasions and occupations. This created a wild city of opium dens, underground gambling joints, brothels, gangsters and decadence, all brought to an abrupt end by the suffocating grip of Communist rule in the late 1940s. But, Shanghai is staggering from the shadows once more. The honorary capital of China has that old glint in her eye again. To get a flavor of the city take a Huangpu river trip for great views of the Bund, which was Shanghai's thriving Wall Street in the 30's, or visit the lively Frenchtown area for great food, shopping and nightlife. The stunning Shanghai Museum and incredible, gravity-defying Huzhou Pagoda, which beats the tower of Pisa in the leaning stakes, are also well worth a visit.

Ritz Carlton Bar

• 2F Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel 1376 Nan Jing West Road

• Shanghai,
• Telephone: +86 (0)21 6279
• Hours: Mon-Sun 5:30pm-2am

The Sky Lounge might get more media mileage, but in its own understated way the recently renovated Ritz Carlton Bar is every bit as exclusive. Its chief draw is an extensive cigar and whiskey menu, by some way the best in the city, with everything from rare Cohibas to the most upscale of Irish malts on offer. When the nightly performance of the Washington Jazz Trio starts up and you sit back, sip your Jameson and cut your favourite cigar, you realise Shanghai can still put on the Ritz.

Bonne Sante

• The Somerset Residences 8 Jin'an Road
• Shanghai,
• Telephone: 00 86 21 6384 2906

We don't know much about Chinese wines but we do know that this chic, loungey wine bar decked out in sultry Asian shades specializes in Nectar of the Gods from all corners of the globe. They do tastings twice a month, a pastime popular with Shanghai's up-market A-set - well-traveled connoisseurs in smart suits and evening dresses here to sample bottles from Europe, the US, Australia and South Africa. But the ambience is rarefied and refined the rest of the time too, and the swanky setting reminds some of old Shanghai of the 1920s. Good health indeed.

Arch Bar

• 439 Wukang road
• Shanghai

Internet café meets cocktail bar meets film lounge – Arch is many things to many hip Shanghai people. The minimalist interior might recall a standard western style bar, but design magazine’s artfully placed on low tables bring it back to chic coffee shop. Either way, it has a laid-back vibe, one to make the many westerners who frequent it right at home. The kitchen does soups, salads and sandwich’s and bar staff offer some choice cocktails – the Shanghai Surprise anyone? – as well as imported beers. But it’s those free movie nights, best enjoyed with friends and a pint, that have them all going back.

DR Bar

• 15 North Block Xintiandi
• Shanghai,
• Telephone: + 86 21 6311 0358
• Hours: Mon - Sun 4pm - 1am

What’s an American-designed minimalist martini bar doing in a former Communist Party meeting hall? Being part of the sexy Shanghai district of Xintiandi, that’s what. Boston architect Benjamin Wood was the man behind the revitalization of this historic neighborhood, and his fabulously sleek martini bar with marble counters, chic black furnishings, silver bar counter, and curvy roof tiles is now one if its hottest haunts. Artists, actors and tycoons sip martinis, champagnes and wines at the tables and staff in black silk slacks and collarless tops shuffle effortlessly between the tables as if on roller skates. A serene calm comes over everyone and chaos of the city suddenly evaporates. Someone call a DR!

T8 Restaurant and Bar

• No. 8 Xintiandi North Part, Lane 181 Tai Cang Road, Shanghai, 200021
• Telephone: +86 (0)21 6355 8999
• Hours: Mon-Sun 11.30am-12midnight