Shanghai After Dark

Bars in Shanghai, like other metropolises, are clustered in streets and usually a night out entails going out to a specific street and stopping in for a few drinks at two or three (or four or five) different venues in a night. This practice is fading somewhat, however, as larger mega-clubs are entering Shanghai and the bar scene is much more event based. Nowadays, partiers are planning their nights around a single specific event and tacking on an after hours party rather than just bar hopping on a street. In addition to this focus, all bars usually have happy hours and drink deals to attract the after work crowd. Several bars offer competing "Ladies Nights", which offer free drinks to ladies, and "Open Bar" nights, which offer an all-you-can-drink deal after you pay a cover charge (usually RMB 100). Shanghai's more popular dancing venues usually try to book international DJs to attract the clubbing crowd.

Types of places.All the Japanese customers know that "if you didn't get it before you leave chances are you ain't gettin' it". Remember, no matter how nice the hostesses are when you are spending money, as soon as you stop paying they want you to leave. Many of these do not accept foreign customers.In the early 90's, the local city government decided it was tired of that image, and changed it from BC Street to Park Avenue or Peace Park Avenue. They also spent a great deal of money and effort to renovate it to the present tourist friendly image."Obviously Eddie has a great knowledge of us as players, plus this will be one of the first times they have had a prolonged period in camp together, so they will be in good shape."Naka no Machi (The Inner City)This is one of the most famous watering holes on the island. Those it has a long history - it is now in serious decline. The popping of the Japanese economic bubble has cause most revelers to sit home and drink, or drink at friends houses. In addition to the hundreds of tradition Japanese bars and Izakiyas (restaurants), most of the rock houses are located in this area also. These rock houses are favorite pick-up spots.Tongren Road: A smaller, more efficient Maoming, Tongren Road seeks to recapture the seedy flavor of Maoming and is home to many of that street's sister bars. Tongren Road caters to a more single minded punter; the bar girls and their admirers seem a little more populous on this strip. (Key Venues: Blue Frog, Blue Angel, Judy's Too, Woodstock, Studio 78, Mint)SalonO'Connell played every minute of the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005, when the All-Blacks inflicted a whitewash on the tourists.With the locals, KTV bars are the choice form of nightlife recreation, but the club scene in Shanghai is where the expats really come out of the woodworks. With a few exceptions, the bars in Shanghai are organized after Western models and on a given night you could be walking into Shanghai's version of an Ohio State frat party, an Ibiza rave, a London ale house, a New York lounge, or a Paris caf�.Filipino ClubsThese are fun to go out and sing karaoke at. The songs you sing will be about 100 or 200 yen each. Snacks are by far the most common and they are located all over the island. Customers in snacks may include women. In a snack generally the hostess sits on one side of the counter and is there to provide basic conversation friendly only. There is very little sexual implication or suggestion. Snacks usually sell food in addition to drinks.The Ireland lock insists the only way to get respect from New Zealand rugby fans is to perform to a level that they deem acceptable.If you have the desire to go out and experience a "Japanese type bar" vice the places that specifically cater to the foreign community. There are a few things I've come up with to help you out.So the second row knows just how high the bar is going to be set next month when Declan Kidney's men travel down under."We had a very disappointing Lions tour down there and I have some tough memories of that, but we have performed there with Ireland in the past and gained a measure of respect.The places that do not normally let in foreigners will usually allow you in if you come as a couple, regardless whether you are with an American or Japanese woman. They are concerned that overly aggressive girl hunters will chase off the women customers or tourist from mainland Japan.Salon and Cafe hostesses also have a reputation for being "very accommodating" while you are buying but, the second you quit they change into flesh eating wenches. This may not be true in all cases.

Shanghai's nightlife scene is fast paced and cut throat with new bars, lounges, and clubs opening and closing weekly. It is almost impossible to keep abreast of all the changes happening, however, the following section lists some of the more popular nightspots and their chief selling points.

Author: Eslynn Su