[The Collection]: Craft Beer Destinations in Shanghai

From local start-ups to international craft beer chains, here’s where to knock back some craft beer in Shanghai
By
2022-03-01 12:00:00

  • Featured

    LAGOM

    • LAGOM Shanghai
    • LAGOM Shanghai
    • LAGOM Shanghai

    6/F, Star Plaza, 105 Wanhangdu Lu, near West Beijing Lu

    静安区万航渡路105号静安星座6楼, 近北京西路

    133 9137 1135
    A laid-back small rooftop bar just behind Jing'an Temple with a bit of a camping / vintage aesthetic and a Beijing vibe. It's west-facing, so you got some nice sunset views there. The drinks' selection is small and nothing quite to write home about, and there are only a few bar snacks available, but they got a good BOGO happy hour deal and Shanghai doesn't have enough rooftop bars and non-fancy drinking spots, so this one got our stamp of approval.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Outdoor Seating
    Cafes
    Rooftop Bars
  • Featured

    Paulaner Bräuhaus

    • Paulaner Bräuhaus Shanghai
    • Paulaner Bräuhaus Shanghai
    • Paulaner Bräuhaus Shanghai

    2 locations in Shanghai:

    5466 5700
    Paulaner Bräuhaus Shanghai, founded in 1996 by BLN Restaurants & Caterings, operates three locations in the city: Binjiang, North Bund, and West Bund. The restaurants serve Bavarian and German cuisine along with freshly brewed Paulaner beers. The beer is brewed in Shanghai following the German Purity Law of 1516, producing Lager, Dark, and Wheat varieties. Each location is situated along the Huangpu River, with views of Shanghai’s skyline and nearby cultural or commercial areas.
    German
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars

  • Commune Reserve

    • Commune Reserve Shanghai
    • Commune Reserve Shanghai
    • Commune Reserve Shanghai

    1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Fenggang Lu

    愚园路1107号, 近凤冈路

    6226 2510
    This big, airy tap house on Yuyuan Lu is both the physical and spiritual successor to a popular Californian craft beer brand that occupied this space before it. Following the closure of Stone Brewing in March 2020, Commune Reserve (part of a country-wide chain of craft beer bars) took over the space. They barely touched the distressed industrial interior, but the beer taps now also pour non-Stone beers, and the menu has been updated a bit. Still the same space, still the same atmosphere, basically Stone Brewing. Good for groups, good for boozy lunches.
    American
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Changning

  • The Beer Lady (Suzhou Creek)

    • The Beer Lady (Suzhou Creek) Shanghai
    • The Beer Lady (Suzhou Creek) Shanghai
    • The Beer Lady (Suzhou Creek) Shanghai

    1247 Nan Suzhou Lu, near Xinchang Lu

    南苏州路1247号, 近新昌路

    5386 3393
    The Shanghai debut of the German chain serves higher-end German food (butter-aged steak) and a huge range of German and international beers. Lenbach's big, with seats for nearly 160 at both booths and tables. TV's showing sport hang on a central pillar and there's ample terrace seating overlooking leafy Fumin Lu; a nice place to enjoy an afternoon beer on into a dinner if you've got the cash. A meal here will probably set you back about 200-300rmb unless you have one of the steaks, which run as high as 880rmb for a hefty 800g ribeye.
    Bars
    Liquor
    Craft Beer Bars
    Huangpu

  • Goose Island Brewhouse

    • Goose Island Brewhouse Shanghai
    • Goose Island Brewhouse Shanghai
    • Goose Island Brewhouse Shanghai

    209 Maoming Bei Lu, near Weihai Lu

    茂名北路209号, 近威海路

    6219 0268
    Goose Island is a two-storey brewery, boasting 29 taps serving the Goose Island beers you've probably seen everywhere around town, as well as house-crafted brews. They've also got an "urban craft kitchen" rustling up grub like aged cuts of steak, house-cured pastrami, homemade sauce and various beer-infused dishes. Goose covers all the craft beer bases — IPAs, Porters, and more — and is a real popular one with a general drinking public, dipping their toes into craft beer for the first time.
    Dining
    Jing'an
    Jing'an

  • Paulaner Wirtshaus (Binjiang)

    • Paulaner Wirtshaus (Binjiang) Shanghai
    • Paulaner Wirtshaus (Binjiang) Shanghai
    • Paulaner Wirtshaus (Binjiang) Shanghai

    Inside Binjiang Gongyuan, 2967 Binjiang Da Dao, near Huayuanshiqiao Lu

    滨江大道2967号, 近花园石桥路

    6888 3935
    The OG German beer bar right here. The Paulaner empire might be shrinking a bit since its heyday in the ‘00s and ‘10s but you've still got this one here in Pudong if you're looking for the classic German beer bar experience and the schnitzel to match. All your standard German dishes are available here in as well as ample outdoor seating for when the weather is nice.
    German
    Sherpa's
    Bars
    Pudong
    Happy Hour: HAPPY HOUR at Paulaner Binjiang and Paulaner North Bund, available Monday to Thursday from 2 to 5pm, offers 50% off on Paulaner beer and alcoholic beverages, excluding bottles and promotion items. This promotion is valid until June 30, 2025, and is not applicable on public holidays, CNY holidays (1/28-2/4), or special promotion days. The right of interpretation for this promotion program is reserved. .. Flyer & Details

  • BEER&SPACE (Changning)

    • BEER&SPACE (Changning) Shanghai
    • BEER&SPACE (Changning) Shanghai
    • BEER&SPACE (Changning) Shanghai

    No.2, Lane 321 Wuyi Lu, near Dingxi Lu

    武夷路321弄2号, 近定西路

    6228 1117
    Open for only a few months, Beer & Space is a modern, no-pressure craft beer bar on Wuyi Lu, around the corner from Lotus Eatery and Yuyintang Park. The place is pretty spacious with two floors, low-key, minimalist design, with the requisite beer bar wood furniture and brick walls. They've got in-house and guest craft beer on taps and a menu of Western plates — burgers, pastas, and salad — to match. Opens early at 10am and is a nice spot to study or work alongside a few cold ones in the afternoon.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Changning

  • Zeitgeist Bites

    • Zeitgeist Bites Shanghai
    • Zeitgeist Bites Shanghai
    • Zeitgeist Bites Shanghai

    Lidoway, C2-158 1361, Xiewei Lu

    徐泾镇 谢卫路1361号1层 C2-158

    021-60829268
    Zeitgeist Bites is the Lidoway offshoot expansion to Zeitgeist proper, a popular Munich / Bavarian restaurant in the city center. The “Bites” concept comes on the first page of the menu, which is classic German staples — sausages, schnitzel, and pork knuckle, among others — served sharing style, similar to tapas. If you’re looking for more than one flavor of Main, it’s a great deal to sample and share a bunch of different things without breaking the bank. The smaller “Bites” dishes are in the 40-60rmb range. If you’re looking for the traditional larger-than-life German portion feast, head further into the menu for their house schnitzel, pork knuckle, sausage platters, and more, in the 100-200rmb range.
    German
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars

  • Goose Island Taproom (Yanping Lu)

    • Goose Island Taproom (Yanping Lu) Shanghai
    • Goose Island Taproom (Yanping Lu) Shanghai
    • Goose Island Taproom (Yanping Lu) Shanghai

    98 Yanping Lu, near Xinzha Lu

    延平路98-2, 97-4单元, 近新闸路

    6229 0613
    A satellite bar to the Goose Island Brewhouse on Maoming Lu, Goose Island Taproom is the smaller version of the tried-and-true formula catering to people living in or blowing through the neighborhood looking for dependable food and drink. Over a dozen Goose Island beers are on tap, ranging from their award-winning session beers to their most esoteric stout and seasonal favorites. Standard but well-executed gastro-fare in the way of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and beer-battered chicken mains. Decent spot for a pint or even a flight of them if you’re looking for new flavors of craft beer. Take note of their free-flow (150rmb for three hours of free beer) and rolling happy hour specials.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    American
    Jing'an

  • 8PINTS (Shaanxi Bei Lu)

    • 8PINTS (Shaanxi Bei Lu) Shanghai
    • 8PINTS (Shaanxi Bei Lu) Shanghai
    • 8PINTS (Shaanxi Bei Lu) Shanghai

    457-3 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu

    陕西北路457号-3, 近北京西路

    177 0161 0762
    A reimagined gastropub in downtown Shanghai. Not a big space by any means but manages to fit in an open kitchen and and sixteen different craft beers, like the Moonlight Witbier or their award-winning Old Driver IPA. They've also got some interesting options to eat: shrimp crackers served with liquid nitrogen (29.9rmb) smoky Sichuan pepper chicken wings (19.9rmb) and a jianbing served with Wagyu beef and jalapenos (45rmb). The company that owns it is the 5-year-old Chinese brewery that's also responsible for Jiuhuar. The name refers to how much they hope their customers can drink without having to empty out their pockets: prices are capped at 29.9rmb per 330ml glass.
    Bars
    Sherpa's
    Craft Beer Bars
    Jing'an District

  • Mikkeller Tasting Room

    • Mikkeller Tasting Room Shanghai
    • Mikkeller Tasting Room Shanghai
    • Mikkeller Tasting Room Shanghai

    98 Yanping Lu, near Xinzha Lu

    延平路98号, 近新闸路

    158 2112 0823
    Much anticipated China-first for Copenhagen microbrewery Mikkeller. It's located down the alley that's just next to the the 7/11 on Yanping Lu, in a gigantic new complex. Sleek, modern Scandi atmosphere, blonde wood and 20-some taps of the good, good Danish stuff. 35rmb for a 20cl glass, 65rmb for 40cl. The variety is diverse as heck, from the approachable Pils, Wit and Sout that's always on tap, up to a bunch of experimental, weird and limited production stuff that can cost 75-105rmb for a glass. Bottles upstairs (where there is also a merch store) start at 42rmb. No kitchen, but some snacks available.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Jing'an

  • Tap House (Yongkang Lu)

    • Tap House (Yongkang Lu) Shanghai
    • Tap House (Yongkang Lu) Shanghai
    • Tap House (Yongkang Lu) Shanghai

    72 Yongkang Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu

    永康路72号, 近襄阳南路

    5448 8337
    A place called "Tap House" that, of course, specializes in craft beers, poured from the tap. They've got 18 beers on offer, and a cider, and serve them in ways made for the beer aficionado: beer flights, snack pairings, and so on. Flatscreens show sport. Stools and high tables and some outside seating comes out in the summer.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Xuhui

  • Beer Temple

    • Beer Temple Shanghai
    • Beer Temple Shanghai
    • Beer Temple Shanghai

    380 Changle Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu

    长乐路380号, 近陕西南路

    131 2241 5182
    A one-room emporium of bottles in a bunch of fridges — over 500 varieties and an international selection of beer on 8 taps — makes Beer Temple one of the best bottle shops in the city, and a must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts. Beer is clearly the order of the day here, with every once of wall space dedicated to stacked-up cans. The owner spent a lot of time in New Zealand and has translated that experience into a full fridge of beers just from that island nation alone. They have rotating tap specials, guest beers, and tap take-over events, as well, if you're looking to get more involved.
    Craft Beer Bars
    Bars
    Huangpu

  • Lupulo

    • Lupulo Shanghai
    • Lupulo Shanghai
    • Lupulo Shanghai

    718 Changle Lu, near Fumin Lu

    长乐路718号, 近富民路

    130 4410 1862
    For the Spanish beer drinkers, and coming from the "Spanish Craft Beer Association of China", no less, here's Lupulo, "cerveza sin tonterias" -- "no-nonsense beer." They're serving a few taps of craft beer but it's mostly a bottle shop, with unique labels from Spain, of course, and beyond. They also do arcane wines and whiskeys that you can’t find anywhere else. The main order here -- or at least the one to get started on -- is Er Boqueron, a Spanish beer made from Mediterranean Sea water from an area near Valencia known for its level of purity. The space itself is low-key and approachable; Euro-ish and decorated in original art. If you get hungry, they have a food share deal with Zup Pizza Bar across the street. The Spanish expat crowd keeps things lively, busting out the acoustic instruments for an impromptu jam from time to time.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Spanish
    Xuhui

  • The BREW

    • The BREW Shanghai
    • The BREW Shanghai
    • The BREW Shanghai

    The Kerry Hotel, 1388 Huamu Lu, near Fangdian Lu

    花木路1388号, 近芳甸路

    6169 8888
    Australian-designed craft brewery, featuring signature beers brewed on-site by a resident brew master, a menu of classic pub favorites and nightly live music entertainment. If you live in deep Pudong, this is your go-to for craft beer. Even if you don't live out that way, it's worth the 30 minute ride on Line 7 just to sample their beers. It ain't cheap, but the patio and beer garden are huge, the bar food is solid, and their brewery has been making quality beers for years. Solid wheat beer and IPA, and a few more experimental varieties like a sour beer.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Sherpa's
    Pudong

  • Tagsiu Brewing

    • Tagsiu Brewing Shanghai
    • Tagsiu Brewing Shanghai
    • Tagsiu Brewing Shanghai

    423 Julu Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu

    巨鹿路423号， 近陕西南路

    199 4605 2801
    TAGSIU Brewing offers a wide range of craft beers. Located in a single villa, it features diverse Western and Singaporean cuisine by Chef Joey Cheong.
    Craft Beer Bars

  • Good Good

    • Good Good Shanghai
    • Good Good Shanghai
    • Good Good Shanghai

    306 Julu Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu

    巨鹿路306号, 近茂名南路

    -
    Good Good Beer is exactly that — good good beer in a one-room, hole-in-the-wall bar on Julu Lu. The owner, King, is spreading his love for Chinese craft beer across seven taps with the usual categories, IPAs, wheat beers, stouts, and more — coming from small-yield craft breweries from places like Changsha, Beijing, Chongqing, and, of course, Shanghai. They also do their own house roast of coffee for daytime customers. It’s a good one to check out if you’re looking into trying different varieties of Chinese craft beer in a hip but low-key environment. They also stay open late, late, late on the weekends for the post-cubbing crowd. Prices are 35rmb-55rmb for beers.
    Craft Beer Bars
    Bars
    Huangpu

  • Birroteca di Postwave

    • Birroteca di Postwave Shanghai
    • Birroteca di Postwave Shanghai
    • Birroteca di Postwave Shanghai

    Wuyi Mix 320, 320 Wuyi Lu, near Anxi Lu

    武夷MIX320, 武夷路320弄, 近安西路

    6043 0509
    Italian bar and restaurant nestled in Mix 320, Birroteca serves simple yet hearty brunches, such as sandwiches, pizza, risotto, etc. It's a casual spot perfect for a quick lunch and for group gatherings. They have 12 types of craft beers by post wave. Small glasses are 40-50rmb each; large glasses start from 45rmb. Outdoor seating is also available for a sun-kissed afternoon.
    Italian
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Changning

  • Goose Island

    • Goose Island Shanghai
    • Goose Island Shanghai
    • Goose Island Shanghai

    3 locations in Shanghai:

    -
    American import, Goose Island is a two-storey brewery, boasting 29 taps serving the Goose Island beers you've probably seen everywhere around town, as well as house-crafted brews. They've also got an "urban craft kitchen" rustling up grub like aged cuts of steak, house-cured pastrami, homemade sauce and various beer-infused dishes. Goose covers all the craft beer bases — IPAs, Porters, and more — and is a real popular one with a general drinking public, dipping their toes into craft beer for the first time.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars

  • BEER&SPACE (Jing'an)

    • BEER&SPACE (Jing'an) Shanghai
    • BEER&SPACE (Jing'an) Shanghai

    No. 614, Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu

    巨鹿路614号, 近富民路

    -
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars
    Jing'an

  • 30 Kilometer (Aegean Park)

    • 30 Kilometer (Aegean Park) Shanghai
    • 30 Kilometer (Aegean Park) Shanghai
    • 30 Kilometer (Aegean Park) Shanghai

    150-B, 150-C, B1, Sub 4, No. 120 Hongjing Lu, near Wuzhong Lu

    虹井路120弄4号地下一层150-B, 150-C, 近吴中路

    13167174924
    Coming from a brewery equipment manufacturer out of Ningbo, Fresh Beer 30Km is Chinese craft beer mass-produced on a scale that only China can muster. In the past few years, variations on this style of brewpub have cropped up all over the country with five venues in the greater Shanghai area alone. They hit all the usual categories of craft beer, IPA, Stouts, Weisbier, and more, but tilt towards fruitier, lighter flavors — and maybe to an audience just getting into the beverage. They also do big business in takeaway and delivery, and beer is available in pints, pitchers, take-away growlers, and yes… even bags.
    Bars
    Craft Beer Bars

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