Listings:

Although Y.Y.'s has been around for over a decade, it remains as one of Shanghai's lesser known venues. With posters of Chairman Mao adorning every available wall space, Y.Y.'s unique atmosphere and respectable cocktail list has made it a fast favorite for both bohemian locals and expats in-the-know. The musical background floats seamlessly from bossa nova to jazz, progressive psychedelic, and...

Bar Rouge is the most famous club in Shanghai, and sets the standard for Bund nightlife, with its terrace view, classy, sleek interiors and iconic French-Shanghai identity. Bar Rouge kicks off the weekend early with themed parties on Thursdays (see SmSh's Upcoming Listings for details) and always runs early in the morning on Friday and Saturday. A must-visit for out-of-towners sampling the high...

Barbarossa is a Shanghai icon: a Moroccan-styled lounge, in the middle of a pond in the middle of People's Park. It attracts a glamorous crowd to its three floors for cocktails, hookahs, dinner, DJs, and its serene, oasis atmosphere. Easily one of Shanghai's most romantic spots for a date; popular ladies' night as well.

Stalwart of the underground dance music scene, The Shelter provides a forum for both locally-based independent electronic artists and DJs, and new international alternative dance acts. A converted bomb shelter, the club is dark, sweaty, black, loud, and thumping. Virtually every single Shanghai independent promoter has a weekly or monthly party therein, and so music ranges on a given night from...

Yuyintang is one of the oldest underground live music houses in Shanghai, and has become a staple in the city. Featuring regular gigs every weekend, it brings in underground rock acts both worldwide and local.

Small and quaint, Velvet packs a punch with some of the best cocktails in the French Concession. Located in an old picture book villa, touristse are bound to be impressed with this place and its late night crowd. If you get the munchies while, the pizzas here are among of the best in town.

Named after that little street those wacky Beatles trotted across, Abbey Road has become one of the most popular summer venues in Shanghai. With patio seating, cheap beer on tap and lots of (at times unfortunate) classic rock, this bar/restaurant is the ultimate expat venue. Abbey Road's menu includes mostly Swiss fare interspersed with some American.

Originally part of Bellagio, an institution for Taiwanese cuisine, this split brought the to the centre of Shanghai good standard Taiwanese comfort food. Opened til 4am its one of a few places in the city that offers late night snacks. Highlights are it's deserts.

A cozy and bohemian Indian lounge, Shiva offers affordable cocktails, hookas, lively music, and a warm attitude. Music is house, disco, techno, and derivatives thereof on varying nights from locally-based and visiting DJs -- expect an international crowd of party goers.