The key is to catch the sunset and then get home before the sun comes up.
This is our weekly, human-curated shortlist of what's on. As always, hit up smartshanghai.com/events/nightlife for much more. Listing events is free - hit us up if you've got something planned.
The FVL. are a Taipei-based band blending indie rock, dream pop, and hazy shoegaze into something warm, melodic, and quietly emotional. Their songs drift between shimmering guitars, understated vocals, and nostalgic textures, creating live sets that feel intimate, immersive, and perfectly suited to late nights and reflective moments. They're playing live at this chill C-Park lounge in support of their album, Land of Siesta, along with Betel Nut Kangaroo (槟榔袋鼠) and Siyuan (思源). Wigwam has excellent curation so even if you've never heard of them, it should be good. Ticket price TBA.
INS hip hop club Hush hosts Scarry Potter, the former Shanghai resident behind Cyclo and City Moments, who moved to HCMC and started the influential club and label, Piu Piu. He's become a really solid DJ, blending hip hop, R&B, club, pop, and pan-Asian club music from their own label, Piu Piu. Support from Hush residents.
Echoes of October craft tough, hypnotic techno built on rolling grooves, cinematic textures, and patient progression. Their productions and DJ sets strike a balance between atmosphere and dancefloor pressure, making them regular fixtures at clubs and festivals across Europe and beyond. They're on Huaihai Lu this Friday, with support from Wataru, DJ EBP, SITU, and 6DEB.
Up-and-coming Shanghai-via-Yunnan promoter How To Build presents a night of emo rap and new underground club sounds at C-Park club Illum. Headlining the night is HK rapper, 柒羊 Takeem. The lineup also features a rare appearance by Shanghai Community Radio co-founder Sierra Lima who's now based in Vancouver, plus a couple of DJs coming in from Yunnan. Should be very hype.
Gasolina Fest brings three of Shanghai’s Latin nightlife spots together for one night on August 29. The daytime portion happens from 3pm at La Diosa (Reggaetón classics + Latin hits) and upstairs in the same building at Ática (Latin house, Afro Latin). Night mode is goin' down a few blocks away at La Social, which is free entry with a wristband from the daytime event. Early-bird tickets are 100rmb, including festival entry, a welcome drink and official afterparty access. Door tix are 120rmb.
Honey, the sub-brand by promoter Sugar House, does a night at the new Candyshop lounge near IAPM. Expect hip hop, R&B, afrobeats, edits, and good vibes from DJs Dirty Dishes, MMQ, and Waydi.
Gi Gi is a Texas-based producer and DJ whose dreamy music drifts between ambient, dub, psychedelia, and slow-burning club rhythms. Rather than chasing peaks, his sets unfold with patience, building atmosphere through subtle movement, hypnotic textures, and carefully layered grooves that linger long after the dancefloor empties. He's an community-oriented club Heim this Saturday, with support from Echocatcher and YKK.
Big night at C-Park for these genres: #3cha #慢摇 #土嗨 #Vinahouse #Budots #Funkot #M-Pop #C-Pop #KTV Style #Trance. Headlining the night is Malaysian duo otakotak, known for the viral megahit #saynotodrugs. This is like a 5D fantasy KTV of everything everywhere all in saturated colors and bouncy dance floors and double fish with technicolor scales who sing big melodies in fountains of green tea whiskey. There’s 15 DJs on the lineup. Peep the flyer and you’ll know if this is your vibe or not. Either way, this looks like a massive night - they’ve been selling out mad dates on their international tour and we heard there are huangniu selling tickets for this show on Xianyu already, which is amazing.
Black Asteroid is the long-running project of Bryan Black, the Minneapolis-born producer who began his career as Prince’s keyboard technician before touring and collaborating with Martin Gore of Depeche Mode. Since debuting the project in 2011, he’s carved out a distinctive industrial-leaning techno sound, releasing on labels including CLR and Electric Deluxe while playing institutions like Berghain, Tresor, Fabric, and Khidi. His work extends beyond the club, with collaborations spanning Rick Owens, Raf Simons, and Valley Eyewear. Expect powerful, driving techno that balances relentless dancefloor energy with cinematic atmosphere. Support from Mansun Li, Sol 39, and d_z.
"Daytime pizza party in the Jing’an streets this Sunday, Aug 30 - it’s goin’ down. Shanghai record label/club night Love Bang teams up with HCMC nightclub/label Piu Piu at Zup Pizza Bar for a daytime sesh from 3pm till 9pm. We got six DJs and guarantee at least one piñata. Music by an all-star lineup of DJs: Scarry Potter (Piu Piu), Weschen (The Park), Sierra Lima (SHCR), Dirty Dishes (Sugar House), Heatwolves (Love Bang), and a mystery character named 吴克. What’s that sound? Hip hop, R&B, house, deep cuts from Unc’s secret stash, unexpected emotional bangers, and more. Bring yo ayi, bring yo dog, and bring yo respect for the neighborhood or Dongmei will have to grab her whoppin’ stick. Free entry all day and pizza available by the slice and whole pie, plus many more fine fine foods from the fine people at ZUP. Streeeeeeets!!"
