8 Pudong bars to crawl round

The financial side of the Huangpu continues to build higher and higher into the sky. But at ground level several great watering holes have sprung up, too. 

Drink your way in and back out of Pudong using this quick guide to Shanghai’s east side bars. The Jinmao and the SWFC, and all their touristy masses, have deliberately been excluded. 

1. Snow Bar at Binjiang One

If you catch an RMB 2 ride on the Shanghai Ferry from the Bund, you’ll be dropped off just steps  from the Binjiang One compound. With more than 140 varieties of ice-cold vodka to choose from, name a flavored shot of vodka, and they’ll probably have it.

“I come here to get my blood pumping,” says Stephanie, a semi-regular of the bar. “The vodka is cold, and the air is even colder. It’s the perfect pick me up.”

Good to know: No need to bring winter clothes to the bar (unless, of course it's winter) -- Snow Bar provides ultra-padded and cozy North Face parkas.

Drink to order: The most popular is a shot of Van Gogh Espresso (RMB 70), but we also dig the 42 Below Honey (RMB 70).
The Binjiang One, Youlong Garden, Shibu Jie, Fucheng Lu, near Huayuanshiqiao Lu; walk from Lujiazui metro station (Line 2) or, take a five-minute, RMB 2 ferry ride from the Bund and to Dongchang ferry pier next door 滨江富城路拾步街由隆花园, 近花园石桥路, +86 21 5877 7500

2. Hooters

Yes, you heard right. The iconic U.S. chain dishes out great wings, beer and hospitality at their Lujiazui location, just a few blocks from our first stop.

“Hooters has plenty of beer, wings and cute girls,” says one local businessman. “What could possibly be better?” 

Good to know: As soon as “Hey Nikki” comes on (which happens quite a bit), all the waitresses stop what they’re doing and perform a well-rehearsed, synchronized dance number, with umbrellas.

Drink to order: Beer goes best with wings, and pitchers start at RMB 140.
Hooters, 1/F Superbrand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Fucheng Lu 陆家嘴西路168号正大广场1楼, 近富城路, 地铁2号线陆家嘴路站, +86 21 5049 0199

3. Blue Frog

Right around the corner from Hooters is Shanghai’s well-known diner, Blue Frog. Blue Frog has one of the best happy hours in town -- from 4-8 p.m. you can enjoy their buy-one-get-one-free drink specials.

Besides their regular happy four-hours, they offer a variety of other deals, like a jug of sangria and any dish for RMB 220.

Good to know: On Tuesdays, Blue Frog offers RMB 25 beer, house pours and wine after 8 p.m.

Drink to order: “Anything and everything on Tuesday nights,” says Adam, an English teacher in Pudong.
Blue Frog, G/F, No. 27, 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Fucheng Lu, Metro Line 2 Lujiazui Station, 陆家嘴西路168号正大广场1楼GF27, 近富城路,地铁2号线陆家嘴站, +86 21 5047 3488

4. Flair

Flair is the newest bar in the Pudong sky. The reason this place made our crawl -- instead of the perennial favorite Cloud 9 or the bar at the Park Hyatt -- is because this bar at the recently opened Ritz-Carlton has an outdoor space. You can enjoy drinks and take in the view without having to look at the skyline through glass.

It's just about the best view of the Puxi side of the Bund.

“People know they'll be taken care of here because we are part of the Ritz-Carlton brand,” explains Chloe, a Flair waitress. “Customers know that when they come up here to enjoy the view, they will also be treated very well.”

Good to know: Make sure to call ahead, as the bar is often booked with parties of the ultra-fabulous.

Drink to order: Any of the pink signature cocktails (RMB 90) or a Bellini (RMB 120).
Flair, Shanghai IFC, 8 Century Ave., near Lujiazui Huan Lu 世纪大道8号上海国金中心, 近陆家嘴环路, +86 21 2020 1717, www.ritzcarlton.com/shanghaipudong

5. School Dinners

Set back from Lujiazui, this dive bar attracts the few college-aged pool sharks hiding out in Pudong.

With more than half a dozen tables to shoot on, the wait is never long for a game.

“We come here to start our nights,” says a local patron. “After work, we come here to unwind before heading out or heading home.”

Good to know: Pool is free.

Drink to order: Beers start at RMB 30.
School Dinners, 31 Changyi Lu, near Jimo Lu 昌邑路31号, 近即墨路

6. Sugar Shack Bar and Grill

Right next to School Dinners is the Sugar Shack Bar and Grill.

Although Sugar Shack caters more to traveling businessmen, the beers are cheap and TVs with every sport are many.

Waitress Monica assures us that, “this is the best place to catch a game in Pudong.”

Good to know: Sugar Shack doesn’t get rolling until late (for Pudong standards). If you go before 10 p.m., you’ll be the only one there. 

Drink to order: San Miguel beer for RMB 28.
Sugar Shack Bar and Grill, Changyi Lu, near Jimo Lu 昌邑路, 近即墨路

7. Ricky’s Sports Bar and Grill

Even further into Pudong, Ricky’s Sports Bar and Grill has plenty of beer flowing and pub grub frying. 

The bar offers wooden mini-kegs of any draft, as well as darts and video golf to keep your mind off the slightly off-key Filipino band on stage.

Good to know: Ricky's has different promotions every day, including a seven-day-a-week happy hour. 

Drink to order: Draft Tiger beer for RMB 40.
Ricky’s Sports Bar and Grill, 968 Pudong Ave., near Yuanshen Lu 浦东大道968号, 近源深路

8. The Office

If only your actual office was like this place, you might actually enjoy going into work.

The Office, a stone’s throw from Ricky’s, is a three-floor stand-alone building dedicated to fun. They have pool, a stage for nightly bands, an outdoor patio upstairs and somewhere in the place a “fine dining” experience (we couldn’t find it).

Good to know: The Office is packed on Saturday nights, so if you can’t find space, there are six other bars nearby.

Drink to order: The standard RMB 40 for a brew.
The Office, 968 Pudong Ave, near Yuanshen Lu 浦东大道968号, 近源深路, +86 21 5028 0029