Listings:

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.

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.

JZ Club offers its patrons a little flavor of "old Shanghai." Dark and smoky with red lamps and quality jazz, the club packs 'em in on the weekends, so get there early. There is a large rooftop patio that not many know about - unfortunately sitting there means missing the music.

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.

Bubba's is a down-home Texas bar and BBQ. The walls are covered in Americana and the worn stools are covered in the middle-aged expat crowd who lives in the area. Ken Walker, the "Bubba in Bubba's'", takes his 'que serious, and when he's not perched on the bar stools right along with the crowd, he's doing something BBQ-related with his custom smoker, stock of applewood, and probably some type of...

Possibly the only Russian restaurant in the city, the Flying Elephant has been bringing Shanghailanders borscht for many a year. Decor is simple, but the experience is made truly authentic by the live Russian band performing nightly. This crew of musical misfits (combined with a little vodka) gets the blood pumping around 9pm when the real fun starts.

This is the "old" Jesse restaurant, the shabby but clean cornerstone restaurant of Shanghainese cooking that has since spawned a chain of "new" Jesse restaurants -- Xin Jishi -- in all corners of Shanghai. The original is still the best by far, with unfussy but delicious Shanghai staples like hongshao rou, braised pork shoulder, a braised fish head covered in fried spring onions, and plenty of...

Bao Luo or Paul (it's English nickname you won't see this on the sign) is always packed with locals and expatriates. Value for money here is its biggest selling point, the food is not the best, for the cost it's not too bad. It's a good place to start in China if you're looking for an authentic restaurant in its food and atmosphere. Expect a loud and bustling experience.

The Uncle is known for its lively local atmosphere, traditional Chinese fare and a whole lot of it. Simple, dark red decor and large round tables cater to big group dinners. Spare ribs are an absolute must have.