1. SHANGHAI STUDIO

Beloved of locals and laowai alike, Shanghai Studio is so much more than just a bar. With regularly rotating art exhibitions, themed nights, and the ever-popular 100 RMB open bar on Thursdays, it’s a staple.

No.4, Lane 1950 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Xingguo Lu 淮海中路1950弄4号, 近兴国路, 6283 1043

2.VOGUE IN KEVIN’S

This blink-and-you-miss-it backstreet bar serves up Thai food, and welcomes L, G, B and T clients to enjoy a quiet drink. The terrace is an added bonus.

No.4, Lane 946 Changle Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu, 长乐路946弄4号, 近乌鲁木齐路 62488985

3. FOCUS

The city’s lalas gather at this low-key, candlelit venue, which is a café by day.

1/F, Harbour Ring Plaza, 730 Yan'an Xi Lu, near Xizang Zhong Lu 延安西路730号, 近西藏中路, 1685 7806

4. EDDY’S

The eponymous owner of this neighborhood bar provides a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for the pre-clubbing crowd, or anyone who fancies a quiet drink surrounded by Zen-like wall-hangings and statues.

877 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Tianping Lu 淮海中路1877号, 近天平路, 6282 0521

5. CLUB D2

With three distinct vibes across three rooms (Cruzy, Lazy and Crazy), D2 is a lounge, a club and a bar all rolled into one.

505 Zhongshan Nan Lu, near Fuxing Dong Lu 时尚老码头, 中山南路505号, 近复兴东路, 6152 6543

6. RICE BAR

In gay slang, a rice queen is a gay guy who likes Asian men. This bar caters to their tastes, and is a nice, low-key location for a drink before hitting the clubs.

532 Fahuazhen Lu, near Dingxi Lu 法华镇路532号, 近定西路, 2110 9881

7. RED STATION

Shanghai’s young lalas flock to Red Station for dancing and late night drinking.

4/F, 200 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu 泰康路200号4楼, 近思南路, 6415 8695

8. TRANSIT

Formerly located on top of Shanghai Studio, Japanese gay bar Transit has a new address.

141 Tai’an Lu, near Huashan Lu 泰安路141号, 近华山路, 6283 3051

9. LAI LAI DANCEHALL

Favored by Shanghai’s older gay men (who are usually married to women), Lai Lai Dancehall in Hongkou offers ballroom dancing and regular drag shows.

2/F, 235 Anguo Lu, near Zhoujiazui Lu 安国路235号2楼, 近周家嘴路, 2174 7399

10. G8

The new incarnation of Frangipani, G8 is a small, friendly club on one of the city’s most popular restaurant streets.

399 Dagu Lu, near Chengdu Bei Lu 大沽路399号, 近成都北路 5375 0084