Mainland China’s most westernised city, Shanghai has a nightlife scene that offers karaoke bars, five-star hotels and speakeasies, discovers James Lawrence.

As China’s largest metropolis, Shanghai evokes all sorts of expectations for first-­time visitors: Buddhist temples, Art Deco buildings, teahouses and the remnants of a fascinating colonial past. However, culture shock in the city may not be as traumatic as tourists expect; this is easily Asia’s most westernised city (next to Hong Kong), and the mass of skyscrapers, five-­star hotels and shopping malls is hardly unique to this part of the world. Formerly described as the ‘Paris of the east’, expats are now saying it’s China’s New York.

But whatever comparisons are drawn, one fact remains – Shanghai has the most colourful nightlife in China, with everything from glamorous hotel bars and specialist cocktail lounges to shabby watering holes and all-­night raves. Karaoke is also wildly popular in China, and Shanghai is no exception, but unlike the western tradition, groups of friends typically rent out private rooms in karaoke bars. The more artistically-­minded traveller will love Shanghai’s acrobatic shows and Chinese opera, and some of the best entertainment doesn’t even taken place on land – Huangpu River cruises, which run after 6pm, are extremely popular, offering spectacular views of the Bund and Pudong districts by night.

The waterfront expanse of the Bund is where you’ll encounter Shanghai’s most upmarket nightlife. But it’s not all skyscraping razzmatazz; beyond the crisply cool veneer of the Bund, you can lift the lid on a treasure chest of authentic nightlife, not least in the French Concession. A mosaic of villa-­lined leafy backstreets, the area houses delightful speakeasy bars that have a curious mix of Chinese and European elements. This combines to make a fitting emblem for China’s most contradictory, globalised and, above all, intoxicating city.

Speak Low

579 Fuxing Middle Road, Huangpu Qu

Shanghai’s finest speakeasy, Speak Low’s entrance is hidden among the paraphernalia at Ocho Bar Tools, a mixologist’s first-­stop emporium for bartending equipment.

Enter and you’ll be admitted to the first­-floor bar via a bookshelf, where superlative cocktails and attentive service await. A hipster’s paradise indeed.

Revolucion Cocktail

60 Yongkang, Xuhui Qu

A Cuban bar in Shanghai? You’d better believe it – Revolucion is hugely popular with locals and expats, who arrive en masse during the weekends in search of hip-­hop tunes and Cuban cocktails.

Yes, the hackneyed Mojito is here, but so too are more inventive takes on classic Latin American cocktails. On Monday and Wednesday, happy hour lasts all day if you fancy fewer people and lower prices

The Union Trading Company

64 Fenyang Road, Xuhui Qu

Founder Yao Lu is something of a maverick – having studied hospitality management at the University of Houston, he worked for influential US bar guru Bobby Heugel.

Today he heads the team at The Union Trading Company, a friendly neighbourhood bar where style and service are evenly matched.

Cocktails change regularly, but could include the Banana Alexander (rum, cream and banana liqueur) or the Waltzing Matilda (gin, passionfruit syrup and sparking wine).

Lobby Lounge at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai

1108 Mei Hua Road, Pudong

A serene oasis, the Lobby Lounge at the Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel provides a welcome respite from the madness of Pudong.

While the lounge hardly offers the most unique or authentic of experiences, the slick service and excellent drinks list easily compensates for that.

The Jazz Bar at Fairmont Peace Hotel

20 Nanjing Road East

There is much to love about The Jazz Bar, not least the musicians, whose average age is 82. Their fantastic repertoire has drawn an international audience for decades, such as former US presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

But everyone is welcome here. Its legendary music, cocktails, atmosphere and warm service are world-­renowned.