Shanghai Australia Day: Beer. BBQ. Bonza!

Today, January 26, is Australia Day (you might know it as Anniversary Day or Foundation Day) and whether you're an Aussie or not that means beer, BBQ and a bonza time all round. Here are a few things you can do in Shanghai to celebrate the arrival of the British First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. 

Shanghai Australia Day barbie: Kakadu

You might as well be back Down Under at this Jianguo Lu restaurant (which also boasts some of the best drinks in the city). Bringing the Aussie barbie tradition to the Shanghai masses, they’re heating up the grill at 6pm. RMB 120 gets you anything coming off the barbecue. Throw in their drink deals like Aussie beers from RMB15 and wines RMB20, and you’ll think you’re back in the Southern Hemisphere. Now if only it was summer outside. Tip: Wear Aussie colors and get your first drink free.
8 Jianguo Zhong Lu, near Chongqing Lu 建国中路8号, 近重庆路 +86 21 5468 0118

Shanghai Australia Day buffet: Kommune

Although Kommune is usually the go-to place for Aussie barbies, they’re giving up that staple for the night and celebrating Australia Day with chicken parms and red wine. RMB 200 means you get your fill of chicken parmigiana deliciousness (think a chicken breast coated in bread crumbs and topped with Napoli sauce and ham before getting smothered in melted cheese), the Kommune salad bar and Australian Pepper Tree wine.
No. 7, Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu 泰康路201弄7号, 近思南路, +86 21 6466 2416

Shanghai Australia Day beers: The Beaver

Sometimes you’re looking for a simple celebration and The Beaver offers just that, with its buy-one-get-one-free, three-hour long happy hour from 6-9pm tonight. This is followed by their regular Two Dollar Tuesday deal. Additionally, all Aussie beers are RMB 15. Find an Aussie, buy him a beer and say cheers to Sydney Cove.
28 Yueyang Lu,, near Dongping Lu 岳阳路28号, 近东平路

Shanghai Australia Day house party: Just Beer

When celebrating an Australian national holiday, only Aussie beers will do and few serve them up better than the guys at Just Beer. “Sick of the two-day hangover I got after drinking local beer,” Aussie Mat Ryan helped found Just Beer two years ago, bringing an affordable, mainly Aussie beer selection to the Shanghai masses. Residents of the 'Hai can order cases of eight different beers directly from the website.
www.justbeer.cn

Shanghai Australia Day film: Cathay Theater

Although you'll have to wait until Friday for the next showing, delay your celebration until the weekend and catch Australian films at the Cathay Theater as part of the Australian Consulate's Australian Film Festival. See their website for all the films ready to roll this weekend. Not only good fun, two members of the audience will win round-trip tickets to Oz. A rotation of films will be shown three times daily through January 31.
870 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu 淮海中路870号, 近茂名南路