Located right in the heart of the former French Concession, leafy Yongfu Lu is one of those archetypal Shanghai streets. It’s got the plane trees that curve over the road, the Art Deco villas, the narrow lanes, and in recent years it has developed into a go-to place for bar-flies, gourmets and indie clubbers.

Yongfu Lu is located between Wuyuan Lu and Hunan Lu, with Fuxing Xi Lu cutting it in half. These are some of Shanghai’s prettiest streets, and the plethora of bars, boutiques and restaurants in the area make it a popular destination for weekend strolls. Here are the top 10 highlights of this fantastic little street.

1) The ShelterView In Map
Until fairly recently, Yongfu Lu was famous for one thing only – The Shelter. This underground club is a welcome relief from the blingy hip-hop joints that tend to typify Shanghai’s nightlife scene. As its name suggests, it is an actual bomb shelter. You enter via a long, black tunnel, and emerge into a cavern of muted lights, hipster kids and trendy music. It’s a little on the rough-and-ready side, but the sticky floors, dirty décor and cheap drinks add to its charm. A mecca for the city’s best alternative DJs, The Shelter is always packed at weekends.

Add: 5 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路5号,近复兴路  
Tel: 021 6437 0400

2) Charme Hair SculptureView In Map
While it can be difficult to find a decent hairdresser in Shanghai that knows how to deal with non-Chinese hair, sometimes a rare gem crops up. If you don’t quite feel ready to trust Charme with a full colour or permanent treatment, drop by for a conditioning mask with Kerastase products, a trim, or a blowdry.

Add: Room 101, 47Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 永福路47号101室,近复兴路
Tel: 021 6433 9929

3) El CoctelView In Map Popular Shanghai chef Willy Trullas Moreno has branched out from his El Willy tapas joint into the cocktail arena. El Coctel is tucked away on the second floor of the Number 47 development, and attracts discerning cocktail lovers who want something less stuffy than the Bund-side lounges with the same sort of quality. El Coctel operates a door policy whereby you can only get in if there are seats free. This means no loitering by the bar and gives things a grown-up feel. The cocktails themselves are well mixed and imaginative, and the signature toasted sandwiches are worth a try.

Add: 2/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路47号2楼,近复兴路
Tel: 021 6433 6511

4) The ApartmentView In Map
This New York-style loft bar epitomizes modern boho. With a selection of great pizzas from the oven on the terrace, it’s a great place to chill with some friends over a bite to eat in the small dining area, or spread out on the couches of the main space. Warm weather brings guests flocking to enjoy the terrace with views over the trees and rooftops of the former French Concession.

Add: 3/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路47号3楼,近复兴路
Tel: 021 6437 9478

5) Rhumerie BountyView In Map
Following the success of its first branch on Wuding Lu, the Rhumerie Bounty has opened another location on Yongfu Lu. Just like its predecessor, it serves up flagons of flavoured rum to be drunk with shaved ice, along with a selection of beers, spirits and rum-based drinks. The pirate theme keeps things interesting, with barrels to sit on and ocean memorabilia on the walls.

Add: 1/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路47号1楼,近复兴路
Tel: 021 2661 9368

6) Shiva LoungeView In Map
For chilled, midweek nights out, or buzzier weekend sojourns, Shiva Lounge mixes Goa trance with Bombay café culture to create an interesting venue that’s just as good for a lunch-time coffee as for a drink-and-dance session. It’s also a great place to see up-and-coming DJs cutting their teeth on week nights and there are hookah pipes on offer for those who enjoy a puff.

Add: 1/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路47号1楼,近复兴路
Tel: 139 1829 3288

7)Tam o’ShanterView In Map
A Scottish whisky bar – just what Shanghai has been missing. With none of the gimmicky trashiness that “themed” bars can often suffer from, Tam o’Shanter manages to capture the atmosphere of an Edinburgh pub. Brass bar fitting, wooden floors, leather armchairs and big screens showing sport make it a good choice for a night on the whisky. There’s also a wide selection of beer and some great food.

Add: 1/F, 47 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路47号1楼,近复兴路
Tel: 136 1175 8910

8) Anya MassageView In Map
Whether you’re pooped from too much partying, or strung out from a stressful working week, Anya Massage will iron out your creases. With 27 rooms spread over two floors, it offers a huge selection of massages, facials and treatments. There’s also a Traditional Chinese Medicine consultant, making it a great place to try TCM for the first time.

Add: Room 201, 47Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路47号201室,近复兴路
Tel: 021 6433 7822

9) KiitosView In Map
This little bar is one of Shanghai’s few hidden gems. From the outside it’s not much to look at, with only a small sign advertising its presence. Its name means ‘thank you’ in Finnish, but the bar itself is Japanese. Muted neon lights and expertly mixed drinks make it a great choice and a change from the regular glut of night-time options.

Add: 127 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路127号,近复兴路
Tel: 021 6431 3787

10) Yongfoo EliteView In Map
Widely rumoured to be past its prime, the stunning and exclusive Yongfoo Elite is still worth a look. With Qing Dynasty recipes on the menu, and a gorgeous dining room filled with antiques and Art Deco flourishes, the club also has a garden and fishpond. It’s pricey, but worth it for a glimpse into luxurious Old Shanghai.

Add: 200 Yongfu Lu, near Hunan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市永福路200号, 近湖南路
Tel: 021 5466 2727

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