Shanghai’s nightlife is as diverse as the city’s inhabitants, even as diverse as NYU Shanghai’s student body. That means there is a place somewhere in the city for each student to go if they want to forget the past week’s GPS readings (freshmen, you will soon understand). Below are some spots worth checking out, and some tips to make sure your weekend doesn’t render you unable to battle the following week’s round of GPS.

For Shanghai’s High Rollers

The following places fall on the absurdly expensive and overpriced side of the Shanghai club scene. If you are looking for a glamorous, over the top, beautiful-people environment, these places are for you. 1. M1NT

This is among the most exclusive and famous clubs in Shanghai, if not the most exclusive. “Exclusivity” in Shanghai is often more of an illusion than actual exclusivity. However, you definitely will not be admitted entrance if you show up in flip flops and shorts. Like many spots, this place is hit or miss. I won’t give too much detail, because then it wouldn’t be very exclusive, would it? However, I will say it is definitely worth stopping by to take a selfie with the sharks (#SELFIE will most probably be blasting in the background).

24F, M1NT Tower, 318 Fuzhou Road 福州路318号浦汇大厦24楼 Tel: 6391 2811 2. Bar Rouge

Right up there with M1NT in exclusivity, this bar/club boasts one of the best views in the city. The view doesn’t come cheap, as you will have to drop 100RMB at the door. Every Thursday night, females can skip paying the cover fee and enjoy one of the club’s many attempts at a creatively themed “ladies night” for free (but you still have to pay for drinks!).

7F, Bund 18, 18 No.1 East Zhongshan Road (Near East Nanjing Road) 中山东一路18号外滩十八号7楼(近南京东路) Tel: 6339 1199 Metro Line 2/10 - East Nanjing Road 3. Vue Bar

For another amazing view and overpriced drinks try Vue Bar, where you can take a dip in their outdoor Jacuzzi, and hopefully not fall down 30 stories.

Inside the Grand Hyatt 黄浦路199号 199 Huang Pu Road, Shanghai, China, 200080 Tel: 6393 1234 Metro Line 12 - International Cruise Terminal / Metro Line 2 - East Nanjing Road 4. Cirque le Soir

Sister to clubs in London and Dubai, Cirque promises a unique, circus-themed experience. Don’t let the circus theme fool you, if you are not dressed on-point, the snooty bouncers will deny you access to the fun. Putting on the button-down or high heels will be worth it however, as you will be able to stuff your face with complimentary cotton candy and popcorn.

4F, 22 No.2 East Zhongshan Road (Near Yong’an Road) 中山东二路外滩22号4楼(近永安路) Tel: 400 991 0088 Metro Line 2/10 - East Nanjing Road 5. Unico

The crowd at this bar is older and you will not find many college students hanging around. However, their music is my personal favorite in Shanghai, as they play creative mixes usually involving Latin music and feature live performances.

Three on the Bund, 2nd Floor, 3 No.1 East Zhongshan Road 中山东一路3号外滩3号2楼 Tel: 5308 5399 Metro Line 2/10 - East Nanjing Road

For Those with Less Extravagant Inclinations

If you’re not prepared to step on the scene, there are plenty of other options for more chill nights or for a different clubbing atmosphere. These options won’t break your wallet and don’t require you to get dolled up. 1. Barbarossa

This has been a favorite spot of mine since discovering it. The three-story Moroccan-style restaurant/bar sits on a lake amidst People’s Park. The interior of the lounge is beautifully decorated with mosaic lanterns, elaborately painted walls, and plush sofas and pillows, providing for a chill environment. The drinks are as good as the atmosphere, carefully crafted and offering unique options. If you make it during happy hour (every day 5pm-8pm) drinks are half off, which is one of the best deals in Shanghai.

Inside People’s Park 231 West Nanjing Road (near North Huangpi Road) 南京西路231号人民公园内人工湖(近黄陂北路) Tel: 6318 0220 2. Shanghai Brewery

If you are looking for more of a pub or sports bar feel, Shanghai Brewery is a good option. The cocktails are sub-par but they offer a nice selection of beer. The happy hour also makes this place pretty affordable, but also attracts an older after-work crowd.

15 Dongping Road 东平路15号 Tel: 3461 0717 3. Arkham

This grungy, underground club is a good place to go if you enjoy electro music, and give in to the urge to dance like a crazy person.

1 South Wulumuqi Road 乌鲁木齐南路1号 Tel: 6211 6371 4. Yongkang Lu

This popular bar street has a lot of different options a good place to walk around and stumble upon a new spot. My personal favorite is El Luchador, which serves some quality margaritas.

Intersection of Yongkang Road and North Xiangyang Road 徐汇区永康路 5. 390 Shanghai

Of the few gay clubs/bars in Shanghai, this is my favorite. The venue is nice because you can choose to hang out in the bar area up front, or go wild to Katy Perry and Britney on the dance floor.

390 Panyu Road 番禺路390号 Tel: 6431 2353 6. Perry’s

With several locations around the city, this dive bar attracts one of the youngest crowds in Shanghai (often including high-schoolers). The drinks are extremely cheap; however, super cheap alcohol might be fake and dangerous, so beware.

Multiple Locations Nearest Perry’s to the new Pudong campus: 978 Kangding Road 康定路978号

For Those Seeking Advice

Smart Shanghai: If you are ever at a loss for plans, Smart Shanghai (both the website and the app) is a fantastic resource for what is going on in the city–ranging from restaurants to clubs to museums. Though it costs USD $4, the app is worth the investment. It includes taxi cards for most venues in Shanghai and communicates nightly events being held by clubs or bars. Budgeting: Although places such as M1NT post outrageous prices, this does not have to stop you from visiting “nicer” venues. At any of these higher end venues, you really only have to spend as much as you want (unless there is a cover). On the contrary, you can find yourself closing a huge tab at a less extravagant venue. Setting a budget at the beginning of the night–perhaps only taking a certain amount of cash-is a good way to make sure you don’t have any regrets the next morning. Fake Alcohol: China is famous for its fake goods, and alcohol is no exception. Certain places are rumored to serve fake alcohol. Be careful of anywhere where the alcohol seems shockingly cheap, it may be better to a pay a few extra kuai to ensure your drink is quality. Transportation: The metro stops running relatively early (around 11pm), so any late-night transportation will most likely consist of taxis. Make sure the taxi you are taking is an official taxi, and not an unmarked or “black” taxi. Official taxis are almost always Volkswagen Santana Vista or Volkswagen Touran; they bear dual-color liveries and top lights indicating their companies. A taxi driver’s permit is always displayed on the right side of the dashboard. If you are ever having trouble finding transportation or want a safe way home, Uber (a smartphone application that connects you with a driver) is another option. The popular car service has recently been introduced in Shanghai, and for a bit more money than a taxi, provides a safe and convenient mode of transportation. In minutes, a car will be in front of you waiting to take you to your next location. Pickpocketing: Although Shanghai is relatively safer than other cities as far as crime and violence, pickpocketing can still occur. Women and men alike should always be aware of their bags, as these are often targets for sticky fingers.

For Those Not Afraid to Explore

Going out can be much more than just a crazy Friday night, but it all depends on your approach and mentality. Shanghai is a vibrant city full of interesting people and places waiting to be discovered. These venues I have mentioned are only a few among a seemingly infinite amount. I have purposely left out some spots, because discovering them is half the fun, and I wouldn’t want to ruin it for you! I know the city can seem scary sometimes, but don’t be afraid to explore and get lost in its magic. This article was written by Enrique Menendez. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Marjorie Wang