One of the great things about the Shanghai live music scene is that you don’t just have to stand and listen – you can take part too, if you can hold a tune, play a bit of bass, or write your own songs. Pretty much every night of the week there’s a jam session or improvisation night going on somewhere in the city. We’ve checked them out for you, so all you need to do is strap your guitar to your back, gather your mates, and head down to your nearest gaff to get your song on.

Anar, Shanghai

Anar
One of the leading lights of Shanghai’s music scene is a certain John NGuidjol. If you’ve ever been to LOgO or Anar on a Sunday night, you’ll have seen this powerhouse at work, manning the mic, dancing with his trademark energy, and encouraging music-minded folk to get up on stage. John used to lead the Sunday jam at LOgO, but recently moved down the road to manage the bar at Anar. His jam nights here are just as vibrant, with both regular faces and new crew every week. (Also, thanks to their Xinjiang chef, Anar does amazing Uighur food and drink – perfect for starting off your evening before the jam.) Sessions start around 9pm and go on until the early hours.

Anar 石榴View In Map
Add: 129 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu 幸福路129号近法华镇路
Tel: 021-62809326
Hours: Open 10:30am-2am

LOgO
This smoky little bar on Xingfu is a favourite haunt for fans of alternative music. The graffiti-emblazoned walls are highly conducive to the indie vibe, and LOgO attracts live acts from across China. Their Sunday Jam is always well-attended, and cheap drinks provide a good musical lubricant.

LOgOView In Map
Add: 13 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu幸福路13号，近法华镇路
Tel: 021-6281 5646
Hours: Daily from 8.30 until late

Beedees
Dagu Lu isn’t just about cheap DVDs. Tuesday nights are improv nights down at Beedees Music Bar. Their drums, bass guitar, PA and keyboards are open to all between 9.30pm at 1am, and the drinks are exceptionally good value. Monday nights are acoustic-oriented, and are led by country and folk musician Lars Jensen. Tuesdays are fully plugged, and feature rock and roll, blues, jazz and country jams. Whether you play or not, you can enjoy 2 for 1 draft Tiger, ¥30 cocktails, and ¥25 beer. Bizarrely enough, if you wear a bikini, you can drink for free. Could be interesting…

Beedees Coffee & Bar比蒂斯吧View In Map
433 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yilu, Jing’an District 静安区大沽路433号(近石门一路)
Tel: 021-63273160

The Melting Pot, Shanghai

The Melting Pot
You might not think that fondue and improv necessarily go hand in hand, but all three branches of The Melting Pot host improvisation nights in their bars. The one on the Taikang Lu art street comes alive on Mondays from 9.30pm, as professionals and amateurs jam side by side. The French Concession branch on Hengshan Lu opens its doors to jammers on Sunday nights for local talent to come and play alongside resident band Ronnie Williams and the Keepers of Swing. 

The Melting Pot Branches View In Map
10 Hengshan Lu, near Gao'an Lu 衡山路10
288 Tai Kang Lu泰康路288号
Room15, 635 Bibo Lu, Shanghai Legend Zone, Zhang Jiang Hi-tech Park 碧波路635号上海传奇(浦东新区)

House of Blues and Jazz, Shanghai (Photo: dianping.com)

House of Blues and Jazz
House of Blues and Jazz is one of Shanghai’s oldest live music venues, opening in 1995. As well as attracting the cream of international jazz talent, the House hosts a weekly open mic night every Sunday. It’s a mixed bag every time, with performers ranging from full orchestras to amateur singers. Best of all, if you perform, you’ll get 30 percent off your drinks. The open mic runs between 9pm and 1am.

House of Blues and Jazz 爵士酒吧 View In Map
Add: 60 Fuzhou Lu, near Sichuan Lu, Huangpu District 黄浦区福州路60号(近四川中路)
Tel: 021- 63232779
Hours: Daily 11am-3am

Dan’s Old Farm House
Once a staple of Shanghai’s jam scene, and now back and better than before, this German bar’s Thursday jam night attracts Shanghai’s best live performers. Musicians can drink free Carlsberg and soft drinks, and Carlsberg is 20 kuai for everyone else. The night kicks off at 8.30pm. Get there a bit early for some of Dan’s famous German food.

Dan’s Old Farm House老农场房舍View In Map
Add: 318 Julu Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu巨鹿路318号(近茂名南路)
Tel: 021-62585560

Yuyintang
This stalwart of the music scene is one of the oldest and most established underground live houses in Shanghai. Their jam nights happen on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9pm and midnight, where you can play Wii and Guitar Hero as well as more traditional jamming.

Yuyintang 育音堂View In Map
Add: 1731 Yan’an Xi Lu, near Kaixuan Lu延安西路1731号近凯旋路
Tel: 021-5237 8662

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